Football purists across the South West can rejoice — the SWFL showpiece Hayward and Nola Marino medal night is back where it belongs.

Following a three-year absence of a gala dinner evening, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, league officials and club delegates have agreed the evening will return to its traditional format at the Quality Lighthouse Hotel in Bunbury.

Over the past three years, the night has been streamed online from SWFL headquarters, with players attending functions at their respective clubs.

While understanding of the SWFL’s predicament, particularly during the height of social distancing and State Government protocols, a big number of players and officials told the South Western Times over this time period they were keen for the formal event to return — given the fact it is one of the few times during the season when connecting with friends from other clubs in a relaxed, social setting is possible.

Prior to the function venue being approved by club delegates, South Bunbury’s Leigh Wright urged fellow colleagues to consider holding the night on a rotational basis at SWFL club venues each year.

“If that is the case (around 200 people attending), I would think there are clubs within the SWFL that could house 200 people,” he said.

“And that would mean we could keep our money in the football community.

“I am not just saying it because I think we (South Bunbury) could — I think Carey Park could do it, Bunbury certainly could and I believe there are other clubs as well.

“It just seems to me that there is an opportunity to keep money in the football community. Given the fact we are having only 10 people coming from each club rather than 20, as has been the case in the past, I think this is in the realms of possibility.”

SWFL junior vice-president Paul Campenar told Wright he had reached out to both Carey Park and Bunbury on the matter via email — however due to finals catering and men’s grand final hosting rights respectively, both clubs declined to explore hosting the 2023 event.