The Wickers will host Buninyong in round 11 of the Central Highlands Football League on Saturday, despite doubts surrounding the fixture following heavy rain that has left the playing surface waterlogged.

There has been a lot of backlash since the Hepburn Shire Council asked Creswick to stay off the ground for training after its last home game against Rokewood-Corindhap on June 14.

Creswick Football Netball Club president Peter Considine, who had told The Courier during the middle of last week that he thought it was unlikely a return to the venue would occur in 2014, said the club was notified it was able to progress with the home fixture on Wednesday morning.

He said there were plans for drains at the ground to be unblocked early next week.

“It’s important for the club to play home games at Doug Lindsay Reserve to ensure value for supporters and sponsors,” Considine said.

Hepburn Mayor Don Henderson said Creswick’s was not the only ground in the region with issues.

“The ground is wet and does have troubles, but a lot of grounds are wet at the moment,” Cr Henderson said.

“There’s certainly problems at the ground and no one denies that, but we are examining whatever we can do to fix it – short, medium and long-term.”

Central Highlands administrator Diane Ryan said the league would meet with the council, AFL Goldfields general manager Rod Ward and the Wickers on July 14 to “try and discuss and look for a resolution to issues of the ground condition.”

Ryan said the ground was an ongoing concern for the league.

She said the council had offered to pay for the use of a ‘super sopper’ to mop up excess water ahead of Saturday’s round.

Creswick, which sits 10th on the senior ladder, has games at Doug Lindsay Reserve against Dunnstown on July 19, Beaufort on August 2 and Newlyn on August 16.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au