ACTING Ovens and King Football Netball League general manager Zac Guilfoyle has hailed the 2011 grand final a huge success in its first year away from the Norm Minns Oval.
Over 4000 crammed into the WJ Findlay Oval to watch seven games go right down to the wire with the biggest margin for the day being Benalla's eight-point win in the thirds final.
"It was a great day for the league and a great day for the town," Guilfoyle said.
"All the games were close and we had a record gate of $38,000.
"The estimated crowd was 4300, the breakfast had over 200 people attend and we had a few new inductees into the Hall of Fame."
With the league deciding to shift the grand final from the Norm Minns Oval to the WJ Findlay Oval earlier this season, the crowd number was always going to be closely monitored.
But to have an estimated number of 4300 people, Guilfoyle said it was evidence of the amount of interest in the day.
"It just goes to show that the venue has no bearing on how many people you will get to the game," he said.
"If it was held at the Magpies ground I'm sure we would have got the same amount there.
"Like I said last week, it's just really good to have two great facilities that can hold an event such as this."
Moyhu's two-point victory over Tarrawingee in the senior football grand final was one of a number of nail-biters as Whorouly won the A grade netball by just one goal.
"It just showed the strength of Ovens and King football and netball," Guilfoyle said.
"The board have said the standard of the league has really lifted in the last two years and everyone is quite competitive there are no dominating teams.
"Anyone can win on their day and I guess that was evident in the senior footy.
"Also to have two grades in the netball go into extra time must have been great for the 200-300 people gathered round the court."
Guilfoyle also described the annual grand final breakfast as a major success with Norm Bussell, Max Newth, Bob Comensoli and Kath Dobson the new Hall of Fame inductees.
Wangaratta premiership coach and current North Melbourne development coach Jason Lappin was the guest speaker.
"Jason spoke of his time with Chiltern, his time coaching and playing with Wangaratta and also his time with Footscray," Guilfoyle said.
"He also spoke about his current role with North Melbourne.
"It was interesting and I'm sure a lot of people got a lot out of it."
By - JEREMY WILSON.
www.nenews.com.au
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Last Modified on 21/09/2011 20:17
