By DAVID NAGEL
ROC president Barry O’Loughlin admits he had a chill run up and down his spine when told his club’s submission to host this year’s grand final was accepted by the South East Football Netball League board.
O’Loughlin received a call from SEFNL operations manager Liz Triffitt on Tuesday, explaining that Starling Road would be the venue for the biggest game of the season, and the conversation went something like this.
“Liz said, ‘Barry, you’ve been given two finals, and the first is the elimination final’ and I said ‘and … ?’,” he said.
“Then she said, ‘And you’ve been given the grand final as well’ and I said ‘Did I hear that right’, and she said ‘yes’. It took a little while to sink in but it’s really exciting for the club because, to be honest, I didn’t think we’d get it.”
Most neutral observers would have expected either Beaconsfield or Pakenham to host the big dance but ROC’s submission, which focussed heavily on the spectator experience for both football and netball fans, caught the board’s attention.
“I think our netball facility is the best in the league and was a big player in the final decision,” O’Loughlin said.
“The netball club has had new seating installed, they’ve got the electronic scoreboard in place, and we’re going to work closely in conjunction with the netball club to make this a success.
“I know some people aren’t happy with the decision, but we’re just a club that’s having a go. I hope everyone understands that and we’re going to do our best to prove the critics wrong, it’s made us more determined to make it work.”
Doubts on Starling Road as a suitable grand final venue, centre on a lack of car parking at the ground, a portable class room currently being used as a temporary social room and a lack of facilities for both radio and video coverage of the big event.
O’Loughlin said he could understand the disappointment of some clubs, given the standard of their facilities and their recent history of hosting successful events.
“Pakenham and Beaconsfield have great facilities and, to tell you the truth, we’re going to model our bar set up on what Pakenham has done in the past,” he said.
“Two of the first people to call me and offer their support were Steve (Pakenham president Steve Moloney) and Gary (Beaconsfield president Gary Valentine) and I really respect that.”
The proud president said recognition of the ground as a major player in the local sporting landscape would be the biggest benefit to come from the day.
“It’s not all about money, although that helps, it’s more about opening the eyes of some people about who we are, and what we stand for,” he said.
“If it costs us a little bit more to put on a good show, so be it, that’s what we’ll do to make the day work.”
SEFNL – FINALS SERIES VENUES AND DATES
Week 1
Qualifying final: Saturday 29 August, Berwick.
Elimination final: Sunday 30 August, ROC.
Week 2
Second semi-final: Saturday 5 September, Pakenham.
First semi-final: Sunday 6 September, Berwick.
Week 3
Preliminary final: Saturday 12 September, Beaconsfield.
Week 4
Grand final: Saturday 19 September, ROC.
