Western Border Football League adjusts 2019 finals series

REVISED EDITION: The Western Border Football League has revised its 2019 draw, with the finals now condensed to finish the season earlier. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

THE Western Border Football League has announced the updated fixture for the 2019 season which will begin on Saturday, April 13.

The finals series has changed, with the second semi-final on Saturday, August 31 and the first semi-final on the following day.

The preliminary final will now take place on September 7, with the grand final – to be held at Millicent’s McLaughlin Park – on Saturday, September 14.

In addition, the WBFL has reverted the junior age groupings to Under 18, 16 and 14 which has served the league well in the past.

WBFL president Stephen Lock stated how the age group changes have been introduced to improve the longevity of the league’s junior footballers and ease their transition into senior football.

“After a lot of research and discussion, we believe a change to the junior age groups will help the clubs in the long term,” he said.

“This is especially important at the Under 18 level leading into senior football, as we are looking to retain players and families at their clubs.”

Lock has also urged all leagues to be innovative in how they promote football and hopes to work with other leagues around the South East to achieve this.

Another WBFL initiative for the 2019 season will be the video taping of all A Grade matches.

The league believes this will assist the tribunal and incident investigation and will also be available to umpires as a training and education tool along with many other possible scenarios.

 

WBFL UPDATED FIXTURE

Round one, April 13: Millicent v North Gambier; West Gambier v East Gambier; South Gambier v Casterton Sandford.

Round two, April 25: North Gambier v South Gambier. April 27: Casterton Sandford v West Gambier; East Gambier v Millicent.

Round three, May 4: Millicent v Casterton Sandford. May 11: West Gambier v South Gambier; North Gambier v East Gambier.

Round four, May 18: South Gambier v Millicent; West Gambier v North Gambier; Casterton Sandford v East Gambier.

Round five, May 25: Millicent v West Gambier; North Gambier v Casterton Sandford; East Gambier v South Gambier.

Round six, June 1: North Gambier v Millicent; East Gambier v West Gambier; Casterton Sandford v South Gambier.

South East Interleague Carnival, June 8.

Round seven, June 15: Millicent v East Gambier; West Gambier v Casterton Sandford; South Gambier v North Gambier.

Round eight, June 22: Casterton Sandford v Millicent; South Gambier v West Gambier; East Gambier v North Gambier.

Round nine, June 29: Millicent v South Gambier; North Gambier v West Gambier; East Gambier v Casterton Sandford.

Round 10, July 7: West Gambier v Millicent; Casterton Sandford v North Gambier; South Gambier v East Gambier.

State Country Championships, July 13.

Round 11, July 20: Millicent v North Gambier; East Gambier v West Gambier; South Gambier v Casterton Sandford.

Round 12, July 27: East Gambier v Millicent; Casterton Sandford v West Gambier; South Gambier v North Gambier.

Round 13, August 3: Millicent v Casterton Sandford; West Gambier v South Gambier; North Gambier v East Gambier.

Round 14, August 10: South Gambier v Millicent; West Gambier v North Gambier; Casterton Sandford v East Gambier.

Round 15, August 17: Millicent v West Gambier; North Gambier v Casterton Sandford; East Gambier v South Gambier.

Round 16, August 24: North Gambier v Millicent; West Gambier v East Gambier; Casterton Sandford v South Gambier.

Second semi-final, Saturday August 31: at Blue Lake Sports Park.

First semi-final, Sunday September 1: at McDonald Park.

Preliminary final, September 7: at Vansittart Park.

Grand final, September 14: at McLaughlin Park.