SWFL 2023: Payne Park gets nod for SWFL men’s grand finals, women’s decider held at Kelly Park

Payne Park will host SWFL senior men’s grand final day in 2023, following a vote at last Thursday’s monthly SWFL council meeting at Hands Oval.

Club delegates voted 10-1 for the Bulldogs to host the event, due to Hands Oval being unavailable due to its major redevelopment.

Prior to the announcement, delegates were notified of two choices recommended by the league’s match committee to host the league preliminary final and women’s grand final — Sir Stewart Bovell Park (Busselton) and Kelly Park (Carey Park).

Delegates agreed Kelly Park should host the match, with this honour appreciated by Panthers club president Wayne Stewart at the end of the meeting.

SWFL president Barry Tate told delegates both the league and City of Bunbury were keen for all senior grand finals to return to Hands Oval in 2024.

“The SWFL executive has met with the City of Bunbury regarding to the grand final being moved away from Hands Oval in 2023,” he said.

“After presentation to both the mayor and chief executive, they fully understood why this will be the case — so the grand final will be moved away from for one year only.

“The City of Bunbury want an agreement that the grand final will be coming back to Hands Oval the following year. But there is no reason why you would not want to play your grand finals here.”

Mr Tate added there had also been preliminary discussions between both parties surrounding a 10-year agreement for holding SWFL grand finals at the venue, however nothing had formally been agreed upon.

Several delegates also spoke about a desire for catering revenue on grand final day in future to be split evenly across all 11 clubs, as opposed to the club which has sole finals catering rights for the particular year.

“Let’s cut to the chase. It is about the catering and alcohol,” Bunbury delegate Bob Hislop said following discussions about clubs yearning for an equal slice of the pie.

“We and everyone wants a share of it. That’s it, if I am being honest. The way that it is at the moment is very unfair as Busselton are saying.

“One club gets a big bite of the cherry every year.

“We think the system in place is a bit antiquated and needs to be improved on. But that is another matter and for another day.”