AFL avoids Bunbury for pre-season games

Hands Oval has once again missed out on an AFL pre-season match - largely because of sub-standard changerooms.

The AFL announced the fixtures for the NAB Challenge last week, with Mt Barker hosting Fremantle and Adelaide on February 28, while matches will also be played at Rushton Park in Mandurah and HBF Arena in Joondalup.

Last year the _Times _ reported a pre-season fixture would not be hosted at Hands Oval because of the outdated changerooms.

In 2013, Hands Oval underwent a $2.8 million upgrade to its turf and lighting in stage one of a three part redevelopment of the ground.

As part of stage two, the changerooms are set to be replaced, with the existing ones still being used despite being built in the 1950s.

But Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said upgrades to Hands Oval had not been identified for funding in the immediate future.

However, if external funding became available the council could reconsider.

It has been five years since Hands Oval hosted an AFL pre-season match, when Fremantle took on the Western Bulldogs. The West Coast Eagles have not played in Bunbury since 1991, when they took on AFL debutants, the Adelaide Crows, in front of a crowd of more than 10,000.

AFL media relations manager Patrick Keane said the AFL was keen to schedule matches in as many different locations as possible.

He said the AFL wanted to make a lasting impact for local leagues.

"This will be the first match at Mt Barker and it will benefit the local football community going forward," he said.

"The AFL is working with Bunbury on ensuring the ground has a plan to be ready to host a match at the venue in the next year or two, primarily around facilities at the ground and that work is in progress."