Memorial Park will become just the fourth venue to host a GFNL grand final, with Leopold awarded hosting rights for this year’s decider.AFL Barwon’s decision to play the competition’s showpiece football and netball matches at Memorial Park was revealed on Saturday afternoon.
Memorial Park joins Kardinia Park, West Oval and 2022 venue St Albans Reserve as the only grand final hosts in the competition’s 44-year history.
“The Committee of Management at Leopold Football Netball Club would like to thank AFL Barwon for the opportunity to showcase our facility to the region,” Lions president Richard Hockley said.
“We are very proud of our facility, in particular its strong connection between netball and football.
“We now look forward to working with AFL Barwon and all other Geelong FNL clubs to deliver a first-class finals series.”
Leopold has been a semi-regular host of early-round finals since entering the GFNL in 1992.
It has also hosted Bellarine league finals, most recently in 2018.
When the Lions were a Bellarine club, it hosted the grand final on eight occasions.
The preliminary final will also be played at Memorial Park, with West Oval again hosting the opening two weeks of finals as it did in 2022.
“Geelong West is very excited to be hosting the first two weeks of 2023 Geelong FNL Finals, and we thank AFL Barwon for the opportunity to showcase our Club to the Barwon region once again,” Giants chair Sarah Naylor said.
“Following the success of the 2022 finals series, we look forward to building on this foundation across the qualifying/elimination and semi-finals weekends in September”.
AFL Barwon region manager Edward Wilson said Memorial Park and West Oval deserved their opportunity.
“Geelong West and Leopold exhibit operational excellence as clubs, both on and off the field and court and, as such, are worthy hosts for these marquee weeks on the calendar,” he said.
“I thank both clubs for their tireless support and enthusiasm in partnership with AFL Barwon”.
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