AFL Barwon has left the door open for all Bellarine League clubs to host a game on Easter weekend every second year when the current arrangement expires.
From 2016-2021, the six ‘coastal’ clubs – Anglesea, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff, Portarlington, and Torquay – hosted a lucrative game on the long weekend on a rotational basis where one club missed out.
Two of those six have missed out for the past two years after Geelong Amateur and Modewarre struck a deal to play every Good Friday.
That will happen again in 2024, with Anglesea and Ocean Grove confirmed as playing away following the release of the full fixture last week.
Newcomb and Drysdale haven’t hosted a game at Easter this century, while Ammos was always on the road until hosting the Warriors the past two years.
Modewarre, who will host Geelong Amateur on Good Friday in 2024 after their ground was unavailable this year, last hosted an Easter game in 2003.
AFL Barwon boss Ed Wilson says that any change will depend on the outcome of the proposed restructure of local football and netball.
“With the rotation (arrangement) coming to an end, absolutely an acknowledgement from AFL Barwon that we have to look at what it looks like going forward,” Wilson said.
“We’re very much conscious of the proposal we’ve put forward.
“If that was to come into effect in 2025, that changes the landscape.
“If it wasn’t to be in effect in 2025, we absolutely will be working with those clubs to come up with a better model.”
Meanwhile, Wilson says AFL Barwon is aware Queenscliff Recreation Reserve may be required for cricket on Easter Saturday if the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association’s grand final weekend (March 23-24) is impacted by rain.
The Coutas are scheduled to host Ocean Grove, whose own venue – Ray Menzies Oval – has previously hosted BPCA deciders, on March 30.
“Easter is extremely important for our coastal (clubs), but it is falling before April 1,” Wilson said.
“Cricket technically has exclusive rights over those respective fields.
“We’re very much aware of it. We’re working with the Association to understand what is likely to transpire so we best support Queenscliff and Ocean Grove.”
