Friday night lights: Colts and sixteens grand finals moved to Friday due to COVID-19

This year’s Great Southern Football League grand finals will be split over two days, after the six clubs were unanimous in deciding last night to separate the juniors and seniors.

Due to a number of rules and regulations around COVID-19 and the management of crowds throughout the GSFL’s biggest day of the year, a discussion was held around separating the colts and sixteens grand finals from the league and reserves.

At a meeting last night, the six clubs all agreed to hold the colts and sixteens grand finals on Friday night, September 25 and the following day Saturday, September 26 will have the reserves and league deciders played.

The venue for both grand finals will be the home ground of the highest ranked league team that progresses from next week’s two preliminary finals.

Initially an idea was floated to play the colts and sixteens on Sunday after the league and reserves but the clubs threw their support behind a Friday night option for the juniors.

The sixteens grand final will start at 5pm and the colts will follow at 6.30pm.

On Saturday the reserves kick off 12.30pm and the league decider will begin at 2.30pm.

“The decision is made in order to best manage COVID restrictions and higher than usual attendances,” a GSFL statement said.