GROUP Three Rugby League is prepared to meet with the Old Bar Pirates to discuss the possibility of playing a grand final at the Old Bar Reserve, should the club qualify to host the match.
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It was revealed in the Times' Inside Sport column on Wednesday, June 2 that the group won't play a grand final at the reserve due to concerns about the lack of facilities and security.
The winner of the major semi-final to be played on Sunday, September 12 will host the grand final on Sunday, September 26.
Third placed Old Bar has emerged as a premiership threat after six rounds of the competition and meets unbeaten leaders Wauchope at Wauchope on Saturday in the match of the round.
Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge said the group has received an e-mail from Old Bar president Andrew Wilkes since the Inside Sport item appeared, requesting a meeting on the matter.
Mr Bridge confirmed the group has agreed to this.
He said the Pirates believe they can allay the group's concerns.
"We're happy to listen to them,'' Mr Bridge added.
He explained that a lack of parking, access to the ground and the fact the area's not fenced would be major issues that would have to be addressed if a grand final was to be at Old Bar.
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"They say they have a plan. We'll hear what it is,'' Mr Bridge said.
Old Bar hasn't won a first grade premiership since 1999 when the Pirates beat the now defunct Forster Dragons at the Jack Neal Oval in the grand final.
The Pirates finished minor premiers that year and also won the major semi-final. However, it was the group's policy then to play all matches in the finals series at the Neal Oval.
This was changed in 2002 and resulted in the 2003 major semi and final played at the Wingham Sporting Complex, when Wingham beat Forster-Tuncurry.
Tuncurry's Harry Elliott Oval was the venue the following year when the Hawks downed Wingham.
There hasn't been a grand final in the southern section of Group Three since 2007 when the Jack Neal Oval was again the venue.
All games since have been at either the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium or the Lank Bain Complex at Wauchope.