The Mininera and District Football League 2018 season fixture has been released less than two months before the first round will be played.
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The league was forced to re-do the fixture following the Southern Mallee Giants’ decision to join the Wimmera Football League, prompting that fixture to be changed as well.
Mininera league chairman John Box said while the league did the best it could, there were still elements he wanted fixed in future.
“Honestly I am not that happy with it, but it is the only option we could do,” he said.
“Up to the first draw, everything was alright but the availability of Alexandra Oval is our main issue, having to work around that with the Wimmera league.”
The availability of the ground means the overall balance has been achieved, but there are some periods where teams will play multiple games away from home in a row.
Box said the league also tried to ensure the fixture was even with teams facing equally competitive squads for their double ups.
“What we have done that we have not done is I made sure the top sides play each other,” he said.
“There has been no feedback from teams that I am aware of and they have had it for some time now.
“It is the first time clubs have had a chance to give some feedback.
“I would like it to be a bit better than what it is but that is something we will work with the Wimmera league and others in future to achieve.”
The junior fixture has not been officially released, with some details still yet to be worked through.
Box said it should be released soon.
“We have a meeting on Wednesday night in Lake Bolac to discuss the junior competition,” he said.
“There is a couple of things I’d like to discuss before it gets released officially.”
It is expected the junior schedule will be released before the end of the month.
The season will start on April 14 with the final round scheduled for August 18.
The interleague bye is set for May 19 while the league will have a mid-season bye on July 7.
The finals will start on August 25 with the season decider scheduled for September 15. Fixture highlights:
- Grand Final rematch between Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in round one.
- Ararat Eagles v Great Western in round three.
- Great Western v Ararat Eagles in round 16.