Finley Football Netball Club has been selected to host the second semi finals on September 2.
The round will select the first teams to go into the grand final, to be played in Moama on September 17.
Finley Football Netball Club president Ashley Haynes said benefits of hosting a final - even if it’s not the big show - are many.
“It’s certainly exciting to be hosting finals,” he said.
“The second semis are normally one of the better encounters, with a good brand of footy on display.
“Hosting the second semi finals is good exposure for our sponsors, and gives our committee and volunteers a chance to showcase why we’re such a great team.
“It will also be wonderful for any of the local teams engaged in finals, and I am thinking we may have some go to that level.
“Of course with Berrigan Shire very much an events shire, any event that brings people to our region is a plus.”
Up to eight football teams and 16 netball teams may travel to Finley as part of the finals series, depending on how many local teams are involved in playing.
The 2022 football and netball grand finals will head to Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 17, marking the first deciders at the venue since 2016.
Other finals will be hosted in Deniliquin, Mulwala, Congupna and Tongala.
Moama last hosted three grand finals from 2014-16, with the most recent being held at Rumbalara (2017 and 2018) and Finley in 2019 — the last grand final held.
“Moama is one of the fastest growing communities with excellent sporting infrastructure, which would make the perfect host for a large-scale sporting event,” MFNL operations manager Dale Norman said.
“The Murray FNL has endured enormous financial hardship of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to COVID; maximising grand final revenue is a priority.
“We want the supporters to go to our showcase event and have an enjoyable time. Moama FNC president Matt Lake and his committee have a proven track record when hosting large events such as the highly successful Good Friday fixture.”
Thousands are tipped to descend on Moama Reserve for the grand final, and Lake said the club was thrilled to welcome the final game of the season.
“It’s going to be a great community event,” Lake said.
“If the weather’s right and with the nice facilities here, I reckon they could have record numbers for the Murray League grand finals — that’s what we all want.
“The last two seasons without any finals series, the league’s done it tough and they really had to make a financial decision.”
The O’Dwyer Medal count is also set to take place in Moama between finals, with Moama Bowling Club locked in as the hosts of the leagues’ best and fairest awards on Sunday, September 11.
Nathalia currently stands as the five-time reigning premier in the football, while Echuca United is the reigning A-grade premier.
MFNL finals start on Saturday, August 27 with the first elimination final at Tongala.
It will see the teams which finish third and sixth on the league ladder do battle.
The second elimination final between fourth and fifth will be played the following day at Congupna.
The first and second placed teams at the end of the season proper will meet at FInley on September 2, and the first elimination between the winners of elimination finals will be played at Mulwala on September 4.
The preliminary finals will be hosted at Deniliquin on September 10.
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