HAMPDEN league president Peter Watson says the 2017 grand final gate is predicted to be a record.
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Thousands of spectators flocked to Reid Oval on Saturday. Watson said having senior football rivals Koroit and Port Fairy – the latter aiming for but falling short of ending a 59-year flag drought – in the showcase game drew a crowd.
“Early indications are it’s probably a record,” he said.
“The marquees worked wonderfully around the scoreboard side and people are telling me it took half an hour to get around from one side to the other, so it was a big crowd.”
The final gate takings are yet to be finalised.
Watson said the league had benefitted from strong attendances all season.
“I think the standard this year has been really high throughout and any of the top three teams could have won it,” he said.
“Even the grand final wasn’t done and dusted until halfway through the last quarter.”
Warrnambool Sergeant Jason Dance said police were pleased with the crowd behaviour.
"We were very happy with the local football crowd. There was no police attendance required and no reported incidents of violence," he said.
The marquees worked wonderfully around the scoreboard side.
- Peter Watson