PORTLAND coach Luke Crane believes there is a place for Easter weekend fixtures in the Hampden league’s future.
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The former SANFL midfielder played on the long weekend during his decorated career with Sturt before arriving at Hanlon Park for the 2014 season.
Crane said adopting a similar concept, which includes games on Easter Thursday and Good Friday, could work in the south-west.
Incoming Port Fairy coach Brett Evans would like to see a stand-alone Easter fixture at Gardens Oval each year and North Warrnambool Eagles co-coach Brendan Murfett believes it is worth discussing adding Good Friday matches to the schedule.
But the majority of the Hampden league coaches are comfortable with the status quo, happy for the Easter break to remain football and netball-free.
The Hampden league season will start on April 18 this year — two weeks after the Easter break.
Crane, preparing for his first season at the Tigers’ helm, endorsed scheduling Easter games, preferably at the start of the long weekend.
“I guess I have come from a place where we always did play on Easter,” he said.
“I reckon it is a good weekend to play, if you play them early with a few grounds that have got lights.
“You could certainly play Thursday nights and Friday nights.
“But it does get a little bit hard with the reserves and under 18s.”
Evans said Port Fairy swelled in population at Easter and backed the Seagulls to attract a bumper crowd.
“I don’t mind having it off. In saying that, I’d love it if Port Fairy could get a game on Easter Saturday with all the campers around the ground,” he said.
“I think it would be fantastic if we could get a game there on that day.
“It would be great for the town and all the holiday-makers too.”
Murfett said a stand-alone Good Friday game, like the annual Warrnambool and District fixture between Old Collegians and Merrivale, could prove a positive move for the league.
“I think there is merit for it. The first few years might be a learning curve,” he said.
But the Eagles defender said he was content with the current structure.
Most senior coaches — both football and netball — are content with the holiday weekend remaining free, citing family commitments as the main priority.
