BALLARAT Football League will push to bring next year’s AFL Victoria Country Championships match against Goulburn Valley back to home turf.
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The BFL’s win over Bendigo on Saturday means it has made its way back to the 3 v 4 match next year when, just like in 2011 and 2014, it will meet the GVFL.
Although Goulburn Valley will be the higher-ranked team for the interleague clash, it does not necessarily guarantee it a home match.
BFL operations manager Aaron Nunn said he would push to have the interleague clash played in Ballarat, given the league’s frequent trips up to Shepparton in recent years.
The BFL has made the three-hour trek to Shepparton in its past three matches against the northern Victorian powerhouse.
The BFL was defeated under the current format in 2011 and 2014 and also played at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve under the round robin format in 2008.
Therefore, Nunn said he would lobby AFL Victoria to have next year’s match in Ballarat.
“We will be doing everything we can to have it played here,” he said.
“We want to try and break the cycle. The last three times we have played Goulburn Valley we have had to travel.”
AFL Victoria showed this year it was open to altering the home side with the 1 v 2 match between Geelong and Goulburn Valley.
Although Geelong went in as the top-ranked side, it had to travel to Shepparton to defend its title as the best league in country Victoria.
That would mean if GVFL was granted a home match again next year, it would make three years in a row at Deakin Reserve.
The 2015 fixture is not expected to be released until late in the year.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au