Brighton Grammar will host Caulfield Grammar in the inaugural Associated Public Schools (APS) firsts football decider on Saturday, but should the highly-anticipated clash be played at a neutral ground?
St Kevin's College football coach Daniel Harford thinks so.
Brighton have gone through the year undefeated, and for finishing on top of the table, will run out on their home deck against Caulfield.
"My personal view is that the grand final should be at a neutral venue where you can sell the event. Make it a big event and showcase the competition," Harford said.
"I understand the home team getting the advantage and giving them some sort of love for finishing on top; I get that absolutely. But, if you're looking from a bigger picture perspective and wanting to make it a real event, I think neutral venues will be the way to go in the future. They'll get through this one this year and see what happens on the back of that.
"You want to make it something. This is what the APS wanted. They want to make this a showcase event, but you can't really do that at the schools. It's a challenge sometimes, and Brighton's a classic example. It's a small ground. It's between two streets. There's not a lot of standing room. You can't get any parking. It's going to be a challenge, logistically, for people to get there.
"And they're also, because they are such a great sporting school, they've got the rugby grand final on the same day and the soccer grand final on the same day. All being hosted by Brighton.
"Maybe they've (the APS) shot themselves in the foot with not being able to get people there. It'll be a great event regardless, but my personal view is if the APS want to make it a big event, take it to a neutral venue."
Despite the venue, Harford believes the clash between the two APS powerhouses will be a sight to see, and the move to introduce a grand final into the competition was the right one.
"It should be a beauty. It's the first-ever Grand Final. It's a great idea. Nice way to end the season," Harford said.
"Not just the English Premier League style. You've got to finish in the right position and then win the big one. It's a good thing for the competition. Two really good teams going head-to-head.
"Brighton, undefeated for the season, will play at home on their deck, which will be helpful. And Caulfield have really grown through the year."
