The stage is set for a massive five-week carnival of sport after the naming of host venues for this year’s Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL) finals series.
Frankston Park will once again become the field of dreams for footballers across the Peninsula, hosting grand finals in division one and two, while the netball deciders will be played at Somerville and the FDNA courts at Jubilee Park.
A delegation of AFL South East officials, headed by AFLSE Leagues Manager Shaun Connell, including Football Operations Manager Haydn Parsons, Netball Operations Manager Sam Downie, Women’s Operations Manager Rod Hamilton and Region Director of Umpiring Carl Fletcher, inspected venues from one end of the Peninsula to the other, working closely with a Finance Sub-Committee to deliver the best possible outcomes for participants, clubs and supporters from right across the region.
The finals proposal was ticked off on Thursday 12 July by the Finance Sub-Committee appointed by the clubs to review the costs associated with running the finals series.
Connell said AFLSE received six applications from clubs to host this year’s finals.
“There were many factors for the management team to consider when deciding on the host venues for this year’s finals series,” Connell said.
“Obviously it’s the biggest and best time of the year and I believe we ’ve got the balance right, in presenting quality venues and respecting the club’s feedback of preserving the exciting atmosphere of the football-netball environment synonymous with the MPNFL.
“We’re blessed to have such great facilities across the length and breadth of the Peninsula, and I think we’re set for one of the most exciting and memorable finals series on record.
“Due to the divisional structure, clubs that haven’t experienced the cut and thrust of finals football and netball will be in the spotlight again, and that’s fantastic for those clubs in particular.”
One of the great highlights of this year’s finals series will take place at Hastings on Saturday 25 August, where the division two second semi-finals in football will be complemented by the netball preliminary finals, and also the preliminary finals of South Eastern Women’s Football (SEWF).
The SEWF semi-finals will take place at Beaconsfield on Sunday 19 August, with the grand finals to be played at the same venue, Holm Park Reserve, on Saturday 1 September.
2018 MPNFL FINALS DATES AND VENUES
MPNFL Division One
Week 1
Saturday, 25 August – Chelsea
Elimination Final
Sunday, 26 August – Mornington
Qualifying Final
Netball Semi-Finals
Week 2
Saturday, 1 September – Chelsea
First Semi-Final
Sunday, 2 September – Mornington
Second Semi-Final
Netball Preliminary Final
Week 3
Sunday, 9 September – Frankston Park
Preliminary Final
Netball Grand Final – (FDNA)
Week 4
Sunday, 16 September – Frankston Park
MPNFL Division One Grand Final
MPNFL Division Two
Week 1
Saturday, 18 August – Somerville
Qualifying Final
Netball Semi-Finals
Sunday, 19 August – Rye
Elimination Final
Week 2
Saturday, 25 August – Hastings
Second Semi-Final
Netball Preliminary Final
SEWF Preliminary Final
Sunday, 26 August – Rye
First Semi-Final
Week 3
Saturday, 1 September – Somerville
Preliminary Final
Netball Grand Final
Week 4
Saturday, 8 September – Frankston Park
MPNFL Division Two Grand Final
