In recent weeks, the Port MacDonnell Football Club has been forced to alter its run to finals.
When the Demons need to be hitting top gear on the training track they have had to change the venue for regular training sessions and games with their oval not being suitable because of classic winter weather.
Following some recent downpours, puddles and mud are common sights around the ground which means the ground is not fit for use and has now been handed a spell to be given time to repair.
At the end of last season, the club made the decision to re-surface the ground and make it suitable to play on, but the recent bout of winter weather has taken its toll on the seaside oval.
In the past week players have had to train at the Port MacDonnell boat ramp, which generated the strange sight of players running alongside the road and kicking footballs in the middle of town.
Now Port MacDonnell has been using the far more suitable fields of Malseed Park to get ready for the upcoming matches.
As the Demons chase back-to-back premierships in the Mid South Eastern Football League, Port MacDonnell A Grade coach Simon Merrett said his men had put their heads down despite the unusual preparation.
“It certainly has not helped the cause,” he said.
“But in saying that we have had 50mm (of rain) in one week from Monday to Saturday and its just like any ground around I guess, when you get that amount it has nowhere to go.
“In terms of premiership defence we are a bit light on in personnel, but it has made us think outside the square of how we train and maintain fitness along with ball skills.”
Port MacDonnell Football Club president Darryl Jones said mother nature had been the ground’s worst enemy, but paid credit to the “tireless efforts” from volunteers to ensure play was still possible on Saturday.
“The oval renovation project was undertaken at the end of the 2021 season with intention of improving the playing surface for 2022 and beyond,” he said.
“Even though it was always understood that in 2022 the oval may not be at is best, the improvements made this year will only benefit the oval and the club for many more seasons.
“Unfortunately, the weather gods have worked against us, with little rain after seeding during summer and plenty of rain mid-year and this caused a few issues with the surface.
“We have a plan in place post the football season to do further work to continuously improve the playing surface to make the Port MacDonnell football oval the best version of itself.
“I cannot thank our volunteers enough for their tireless efforts with the project, without these volunteers giving up their time, these projects would never get off the ground.
“I would also like to thank the Mid South Eastern League executive and other clubs for their support offered during this time.”
Most clubs in the league like going to the bayside to play football and enjoy what the seaside has to offer.
The Demons are primed and ready to give the title defence a crack and will most likely come up against Mount Burr in the first final at Robe and the Mozzies are also on the move trying to get that coveted holy grail.
