Maitland Sportsground looms as a potential Northern NSW NPL grand final venue after the decision to end the two-year experiment at McDonald Jones Stadium.
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Northern NSW Football has taken the past two sets of senior NPL deciders to the region's premier stadium but crowds of just 4174 and 3772 were below expectations.
Eland said NNSWF had given the grand final move "a red-hot go" through promotions, kick-off time changes, event presentation and rescheduling of other matches but the "numbers simply don't add up".
NNSWF had taken on significant losses in hiring the 30,000-capacity ground, even though stadium management had helped keep costs down.
Before the move, grand finals had been held predominantly at Broadmeadow's Magic Park in recent years. Edgeworth's Jack McLaughlan Oval hosted in 2014.
Eland said those venues and Maitland Sportsground, which has successfully hosted Jets A-League trials against Central Coast and Western Sydney, were being considered.
Newcastle No.2 Sportsground has been floated as a venue but Eland said clashes with Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union finals held there and troubles with the surface meant it was not a realistic option.
** NPL supporters will have a tough choice to make on Saturday with four matches and the Jets v Mariners A-League clash all kicking off between 5.30 and 7.30pm.
Eland believed clubs wanted later time slots to avoid early-season heat and attract better crowds. He said NNSWF had, where possible, scheduled matches based on requests from host clubs.
** The NNSW section of the FFA Cup moves into round three this weekend.
The draw is:
Saturday 16 March
Bolwarra Lorn JSC vs. Mayfield United JSFC @ Biralee Oval, 1:30pm
Greta Branxton FC vs. Hunter Simba @ Miller Park, 2:30 pm
Dudley Redhead United FC vs. Barnsley United Senior SC @ Taylor Park, 2:30 pm
West Wallsend JFC vs. Kurri Kurri JFC @ Birelee Oval, 4:00 pm
Hamilton Azzurri vs. Garden Suburb @ Lisle Carr Oval, 6:00 pm
Sunday 17 March
Kotara South FC vs. Westlakes Wildcats FC @ Fishburn Field, 12:00 pm
Charlestown Junior FC vs. Warners Bay FC @ Pasadena Oval, 12:30pm
Merewether Advance SFC vs. Jesmond FC @ Magic Park, 12:30pm
Newcastle Suns vs. Dudley Redhead United SFC @ Magic Park, 2:30 pm
Beresfield United Senior SC vs. Minmi Wanderers FC @ Pasadena Oval, 2:30 pm
Maitland Junior FC vs. Nelson Bay FC @ Tomaree Sports Complex, 3:00 pm
