Latrobe City footy fans were treated to three matches of AFL and AFLW early in 2020, with the newly redeveloped Morwell Recreation Reserve hosting two men’s pre-season games, along with the in-season game for the women’s premier competition.
“We are thrilled to bring AFL and AFLW games to Gippsland and extremely proud of our partnership with the Latrobe Valley Authority and the Latrobe City Council,” Collingwood Football Club President Eddie McGuire said.
“We love playing at the Morwell Recreation Reserve and we are very appreciative of the wonderful support we receive from the local community. The reserve has become a magnificent Centre of Excellence for AFL and AFLW football and a fantastic asset for Gippsland.
“We look forward to supporting local clubs and hosting elite men’s and women’s football games in the region for many years to come.”
Hawthorn played St Kilda in the Emergency Services Practice Match on Friday, 28 February, in front of 3,000 people.
The event was a fitting occasion for the official opening of the new $3.5 million synthetic oval that serves as an all-weather training ground at the Morwell reserve.
The $9 million facility is home to the Gippsland Regional AFL Centre of Excellence and the name Morwell Recreation Reserve remains. The project was jointly funded by the Federal Government ($5 million) and State Government ($4 million), and overseen by Latrobe City Council and the Latrobe Valley Authority.
On 8 March, 4,000 football fans came to Morwell to enjoy an in-season AFLW game between Collingwood and Western Bulldogs, and a pre-season AFL game between the Saints and the Magpies as part of the AFL’s Marsh Community Series.