1 week Ago By Brent Godde
Howlong's historic night match against Holbrook at Howlong on the weekend has been hailed a huge success. or signup to continue reading The season opener which commenced at 7pm, was the first night match played in the Hume league in more than a decade. More than 1500 spectators attended the match which Spiders football manager, Andrew Reid, described as a finals-like crowd and atmosphere.
"It was a fantastic result and we were blown away by the crowd and the atmosphere," Reid said. "We held a Hume league final last year but our bar sales were greater on Saturday night compared to the final. "Unfortunately we haven't got an exact figure on the gate because a lot of members paid for their membership on the night.
"But the crowd was more than 1500 and it was like a final. "There were a lot of people there from other Hume league clubs having a sticky beak. "People from the Tallangatta league and the O&M were there as well and it was well supported by the whole community.
" Reid said the club now hopes a night match can become a permanent fixture each season. "It's certainly something that we want and try to lock in every year now," he said. "I think the community as a whole loved the concept and we saw people at the game who don't normally come to home matches during the season.
"They have come along because of the novelty factor and to have a look which is great. "The players loved the experience of playing under lights as well was the feedback we got. "We are mindful it is a big day for our volunteers because they started to organise things on Saturday morning and were still working at 10pm that night.
"I think the first home game each season would be ideal, regardless if it is still dayling savings or not. "The first quarter the sun was still setting, so it wasn't totally dark until the second quarter. "Ideally if there is no O&M being played it would be perfect because there were a lot of people there who are involved in that competition.
" Hume league president, Phil Bouffler, was at Howlong on Saturday night and said the league had no issues with club's staging night matches if that was their preferred option. "It was a great crowd and we had the AFL NSW/ACT Southern manager, Steve Maher, who was impressed," Bouffler said. "The facilities at Howlong now are first-rate and the lights are fantastic.
"Murray Magpies are going to host Culcairn under lights in round 3 as well. "At the end of the day if clubs want to play matches under lights, they can, we don't want to micro-manage clubs. "If they want to play a night match and the other club agrees and it helps build the league brand, good luck to them and they have got the league's full support.
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