CRESWICK is looking for a new venue for its last home game of the Central Highlands Football League season on Saturday.
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On Tuesday, the CHFL requested the relocation of the Creswick and Newlyn clash owing to the poor state of the water-logged Doug Lindsay Reserve playing surface.
CHFL secretary Diane Ryan said the ground had been deemed unfit for play after an inspection by two board representatives.
She said it was CHFL protocol to inspect a venue on the Tuesday before a match if there were concerns.
Creswick president Peter Considine said there were a few options in the Hepburn shire, but hoped a venue would be finalised on Wednesday.
He said moving a game at short notice provided a variety of problems – particularly in relation to catering and obtaining a temporary liquor licence.
Considine all but ruled out returning to former home ground Hammond Park, which the club has used as a football training base in the latter part of the season to ease the workload on the Doug Lindsay Reserve.
He said while satisfactory for training, it would need a major clean-up to be suitable for a match.
Hammond Park is also unable to cater for netball, and Considine said playing football and netball across two venues was not an option.
Creswick is also not keen on reversing the draw and giving Newlyn a home ground advantage.
Considine said it was disappointing that Creswick would not play its biggest rival at home.
“It was going to be a huge day. It is going to cost us (financially),” he said.
The Doug Lindsay Reserve playing surface has been struggling to cope with wet conditions since mid-season.
Considine told The Courier in June: “...It’s a winter sport. It should be able to cope with a little bit of rain.”
If Creswick is unable to secure a satisfactory venue, the CHFL has the power to step in and make a call.
david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au