By Nick Creely
The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League Division One grand final will remain on Sunday 16 September, after the AFL South East Commission considered a submission from a sector of MPNFL clubs.
At a recent presidents meeting, several clubs sought to have the date changed to Saturday 15 September, based on the ability of participating clubs to capitalize financially, relating to post-game functions.
AFL South East assessed the submission, considering the overall fairness and integrity of the competition, and determined that the grand final remains on the Sunday, considering it unfair that only a six-day break would exist between the preliminary final (Sunday 9 September) and the grand final, which will be played at Frankston Park this year.
The Commission also noted the fact that the Peninsula grand final has been held on a Sunday since 1987, and did not see any reason for a change.
A second submission – from one potential finalist – was to have the preliminary final changed to Saturday 8 September, was also rejected by the Commission. This submission also included the changing of dates for the MPNFL Division Two grand final from its current date of Saturday 8 September to Sunday 9 September, but was knocked back by the Commission as it didn’t see it as a reasonable solution.
2018 MPNFL Finals:
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
