I think Box Hill may have been used as a secondary finals venue for Div 1 a number of years ago.
If I remember correctly (and I may not) the thinking was that it’s not really close enough to “traditional” EFL heartland (the outer east) and so crowds would be affected.
The other thing is money. EFL clubs pay the league to host finals and the club organises and staffs it all. If it were at Box Hill assume the league would have to pay to use it and organise all the operations.
The EFL is in a far better financial situation than any other league and I reckon their finals model is probably a big part of that. Not that they ever seem to spend the money on anything, like better admin or umpiring.
As I said Mitcham for mine is close to VFL standard and by far the best venue in the league. Why they became so fixated on Bayswater, I don’t know.
Interesting, the VAFA pay clubs to host finals, the club gets all bar and canteen takings whilst the league keeps the gate receipts.
I assume judging by the people on the gate, the EFL also would be keeping gate receipts, a nice money spinner if clubs are also paying then for the rights.
Mitcham has good facilities, but ground is probably a bit small for the premier game. But Bayswater facilities haven’t changed in a long, long time and the ground was disgraceful today.
But you’re right on not spending money on umpires, they are easily the lowest paid of any league in Victoria and the standard showed today. It was nice to see some new faces for a change, but the overall standard is terrible, they can’t attract any decent umpires.