![BRIGHT LIGHTS: South Warrnambool and Old Collegians play a night match during the 2018 DUFFL season. Picture: Christine Ansorge BRIGHT LIGHTS: South Warrnambool and Old Collegians play a night match during the 2018 DUFFL season. Picture: Christine Ansorge](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc70e5kgm9xtu28rn93d9.jpg/r0_354_4431_2954_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
THE third Deakin University Female Football League grand final will be played at night.
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Melville Oval will host the decider under lights on Friday, August 2.
Hamilton Kangaroos chairman John Pepper said they were "very big advocates of night football".
"I think whether the Kangaroos are in it or not, a lot of people in Hamilton will come and have a look at it," he said.
"Locally there's a bit of interest in night footy. We have night footy in our Hamilton junior competition and the kids love it. I think it creates a bit of enthusiasm."
![PARTY TIME: Hamilton Kangaroos players get around Denver Hensen as she celebrates a goal in the 2018 DUFFL grand final. Picture: Rob Gunstone PARTY TIME: Hamilton Kangaroos players get around Denver Hensen as she celebrates a goal in the 2018 DUFFL grand final. Picture: Rob Gunstone](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc70pwt6p2py0zlyo291c.jpg/r0_0_3767_2511_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The first two DUFFL grand finals were played in Hamilton, at Melville Oval in 2017 and Pedrina Park last year.
The under 18 competition includes teams from the Wimmera and Western District areas.
"It's a centre point, geographically we're lucky," Pepper said.
The DUFFL season, which features 11 teams, kicks off on Sunday, April 28 and will run over 11 rounds.
A three-week finals series will start on July 21.
All teams will play each other once and have a bye.
A competition-wide bye will fall on the Queen's Birthday weekend.
![CLUB PRIDE: South Warrnambool is enjoying its time in the DUFFL. The under 18 girls competition will start its third season on April 28. Picture: Rob Gunstone CLUB PRIDE: South Warrnambool is enjoying its time in the DUFFL. The under 18 girls competition will start its third season on April 28. Picture: Rob Gunstone](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc70pw8lnauqcdgbk691c.jpg/r0_0_5472_3648_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Newcomer Terang Mortlake will make its debut at DC Farran Oval against Warrnambool.
"I don't think it matters who we're playing, the girls will be excited regardless," Bloods coach Tania Barbary said.
"But certainly playing a local team adds a bit of excitement."
Barbary said a night grand final highlighted how far female football had come in a short period of time.
"It's something that is gaining popularity and credibility and that's really encouraging.
"There's an opportunity to play football and be taken seriously."
Barbary said the Bloods were averaging 19 players to their weekly training sessions and expected that number to rise.
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