A decision by the Hepburn Shire Council on whether or not it can complete remedial works on the Burras’ home ground is set to determine the fate of this Saturday’s Central Highlands Football League match of the round.
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The Hepburn oval is in terrible condition following Sunday’s under-12 lightning premiership, which has put serious doubt on the ability for the Burras to host the round 10 clash with Waubra.
Hepburn president Jason Dooley said that drainage at the ground was good and believed that if council could roll the surface on Wednesday and Friday, the match would likely be able to go ahead.
Dooley said council was set to inform the club of its ability to get on the oval to complete those works on Tuesday.
If unable, an alternative venue will be decided upon by the Burras and Roos.
CHFL administrator Diane Ryan said the two clubs had three options if the Hepburn surface was declared unavailable.
The match could be moved to a completely neutral venue, it could be hosted by Waubra, which would then swap back the game during the next two-year fixture cycle or Hepburn could hold the clash at Waubra and take the gate and canteen takings from the day.
“There’s major concern obviously for that ground being up to the standard to play the matches on,” Ryan said.
“I’d encourage the two clubs to sort out an acceptable solution.”
The clash between the Burras and Roos is a big one for both clubs.
Hepburn has slipped a game adrift of the top eight after going down to Springbank at the weekend and could lose further ground with a third-straight loss on Saturday.
The reigning premiers have dropped four games inside the opening nine rounds, two more than they lost throughout the entire 2017 campaign.
Meanwhile, Waubra is flying along after beating powerhouse Beaufort by two points last round.
That result has the Roos equal on points with top side Newlyn.
Those two sides are a match clear of three teams – Buninyong, the Crows and the Tigers.
Ryan heaped praise on the Hepburn Football Netball Club for its efforts in dealing with the wet and chilly conditions for the league’s annual under-12 carnival on Sunday.
She said plenty of heating was arranged in the change rooms and around the ground, which made for a significantly better day for the players.
Daylesford beat Buninyong in the grand final to win the football carnival, which saw 17 clubs represented. Springbank was the only club not represented.
On the netball courts, it was Skipton which prevailed after beating Clunes in the decider.
A total of 15 clubs fielded netball teams for the round robin competition.
This year’s under-12 lightning premiership was moved forward in the season in an attempt to get better weather and ground conditions.
Last year, the event was badly hampered by wet weather when it was held at Creswick in August.