Port Fairy's Gardens Oval picked for 2021 Hampden league grand final

It will host the showcase matches on Saturday, September 18.

It follows the decision to allocate Sunday's junior grand finals to the portside town too.

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Warrnambool's Reid Oval, which usually hosts grand finals, is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade and is out of action.

Hampden league media liaison officer Troy Logan said there were a number of considerations in choosing a venue.

"You never know where the teams are going to be coming from but I suppose based on the current ladder it was in reasonably close proximity to those teams which was definitely a factor," he said.

"We think the weather being an issue (potentially), it looks like Port Fairy, after this Sunday, won't have any teams training so that was a factor as well."

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Logan said Gardens Oval was a "great facility" and the support from Moyne Shire had been welcomed.

"It ticked a lot of boxes for us and we're rapt Port Fairy and the Moyne Shire were happy to collaborate and hopefully deliver a great grand final day, fingers crossed with crowds," he said.

"It's an opportunity for Port Fairy and Moyne Shire to showcase the ability to host events.

"It's a really unique opportunity, given the grand final has been at the Reid for sometime.

"I know years ago they took some away from the Reid but not in my time, since I have been playing at least."

Logan said the decision to have the senior grand finals at Port Fairy would have a flow-on effect.

"All of the surrounding businesses we expect will benefit should there be crowds," he said.

"(It will help) the local cafes and restaurants which is really important for the community after a really tough 18 months."

Port Fairy president Noel Black said the club was rapt to host the grand finals.

"It is a massive opportunity and it is great for the club, town and Moyne Shire," he said.

"Who knows, when Reid Oval is finished, there may not be anymore grand finals played away from Reid Oval."

Black said the Seagulls were hopeful crowds would be permitted with spectators to "taper up around the banks around the ground".

"That is the day-by-day proposition at the moment," he said.

"We're certainly hopeful for crowds and the town has a good history of putting on shows with the Folkie, Moyneyana Festival and surf carnivals.

"Hopefully now we can add another one to the list. We've talked about a few marquees.

"If you get a full crowds around those hills, it will create a lot of noise and atmosphere."

Black paid credit to Gardens Oval curator Shaun Murrihy, saying getting two grand finals in one season "was a testament to our oval".

"We are pretty happy about it and our curator Shaun Murrihy is really chuffed. He is so excited," he said.

"He's got everything teed up to have it all right."

Sunday's junior grand finals will be played without crowds, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Port Fairy will provide a canteen for parents - juniors are allowed one parent to attend, players, coaches and helpers.

The Hampden league, which has lost five home-and-away rounds to COVID-19 lockdowns, will round out its shortened 13-round senior season on Saturday.

Top spot on the senior football ladder is still up for grabs with either Koroit or North Warrnambool Eagles to be crowned minor premiers, while undefeated Cobden will finish top in the open netball.

A four-week finals series will start on Saturday, August 28.

Venues for those games are yet to be announced but Logan hopes there will be confirmation in coming days.