The BFL finals start this weekend, with South Bendigo to take on Eaglehawk at the QEO on Saturday night.

That will be followed on Sunday by Sandhurst clashing with Maryborough in the elimination final at the QEO.

Bendigo has received consistent rain since Tuesday, while showers are forecast for today and a late shower forecast for tomorrow, raising the question of what condition the QEO surface will be in for Sunday’s finals after under-18s, reserves and senior matches are played on the ground on Saturday.

“At this point in time we will be continuing to play the games at the QEO,’’ BFL chief executive officer Steven Oliver said yesterday.

“Last weekend we had a night game, which gave the ground that five or six extra hours to dry out, which made a significant difference to its condition. The council did some work on it on Monday and Tuesday, so it’s as good as it’s going to be.’’

The last time the BFL moved finals away from the QEO because of its unsatisfactory surface conditions was in 2003 when the qualifying and elimination finals were played at Eaglehawk, and the first semi-final was played at Kangaroo Flat.

Meanwhile, the Maryborough-Castlemaine District Football League has been forced to shift its finals this weekend away from Maryborough’s Princes Park because of its poor surface.

Saturday’s qualifying final will now be played at Carisbrook, while Sunday’s elimination final will be played at Maryborough’s Hedges Oval.