TOPIC:

Is the WAFL serious? A state game in the country?
Why? It will be a high profile game with the best of WA v VFL. A certain crowd puller in the Metro area.
As they say in he article it would be televised by ABC so country viewers would still be able to watch it on TV.

From The West

au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl...ing-for-state-match/

Yes it sounds as if they are serious. The main footy ground in Bunbury (Hands Oval)is being extensively up-graded. Much improved lighting and new playing surface are the main areas of work being done. Apparently will be completed by March 2013. Have no info on other ground improvements elsewhere but it could be played anywhere I guess if the sums add up? But yes it does sound unusual for a state game in the rural areas.

Which regional grounds have the facilities to host a match of this calibre?

Bunbury - Hands Oval
Kalgoorlie - Sir Richard Moore Oval
Albany ?
Geraldton ?

If the Hands Oval redevelopment is complete in time, I think it should host the match. SWFL Grand Final always has a good turnout every year.

Apparently the works at Hands Oval is powering on ahead of schedule.
A plan to give Hands Oval a facelift aims to attract more high-profile sporting events to Bunbury.
The $2.7 million upgrade of Hands Oval, which is expected to attract more high-profile sporting events to Bunbury, is well underway and ahead of schedule.
This includes removing and replacing the existing turf and soil, installing reticulation, building the boundary fence, disabled ramp and new seating. The project is progressing well ahead of expected times and Hands Oval will most certainly be available for the 2013 football season, pending any major hold ups.
The only component that will be delayed is the lighting, which is not likely to be installed until the end of March.

I can't recall one anchorman, but at my age the memory isn't as good. Have heard no news of another team entering the so-called wafl. The thinking seems to be upgrading HMO to attract the high profile sporting events on a more frequent basis from my understanding of it.

Media Release dated 13 March 2013...
Goes onto say:
Hands Oval is looking very green! It now has AFL standard turf, which will be ready for this year’s footy season.
The City’s Programs and Projects Team Leader Ian Browning said the type of turf used has been developed specifically for sports and recreation grounds.
“The turf is Kikuyu Village Green, which is the chosen turf for football ovals. The turf is laid in jumbo rolls and has a short six week establishment time.”
Works and Services Director Phil Harris said the City has been working with groups that use the oval to ensure they can continue to do so, quickly.
“The new turf will take time to develop good root systems and settle in. A turf management has been prepared to ensure the new turf has adequate opportunity to become established prior to returning to normal usage patterns.”
Upgrade work at Hands Oval was originally scheduled to take more than twelve months to complete however through streamlined project management work, it is now six months ahead of schedule.
A new boundary fence will also be installed and the block work on the spectator mound is close to being completed. Once finished, the mound will incorporate an accessible ramp to provide wheelchair access to the grandstand.
Mr. Browning said preparations are also taking place to install the lighting towers.
“Four, 35 metre light towers and two, 40 metre towers are being constructed in Queensland and should be available by June.”
Once work has finished, Hands Oval will be considered the premier sporting oval in Bunbury.
The City of Bunbury received a $1.34 million grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation to upgrade Hands Oval as part of a 2009 election commitment made by Terry Waldron. The funds will match the original $1.34 million contributed by the City of Bunbury
Apart from someone digging up a small patch of the turf, the development is way ahead of schedule.