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They’ve done it. The Brisbane Lions have made the grand final of the NAB Cup.
Sure, it’s a pre-season grand final, but a grand final nonetheless.
After four games of footy, the Lions stand alone as the only undefeated team in the NAB Cup. I don’t think anyone expected them to come this far.
Although wins against depleted Collingwood and Hawthorn sides, as well as the Giants and Suns, are far from convincing, they’ve done better than anyone else in the NAB Cup.
They have come first.
You would think that from their unique set of results that they’ve earned a home final. But no.
Instead, Brisbane have to ‘host’ the final in Melbourne against second-placed Carlton, from Melbourne.
Now, you can spin it any way you like, but you try and tell me that Carlton don’t have the real home ground advantage.
The Lions have a large Victorian fan-base, which is helpful, but doesn’t come close to imitating a ‘Gabba crowd.
The AFL stated that the ‘Gabba is unavailable due to cricket commitments. On the weekend, the Queensland Bulls played their last Sheffield Shield home fixture for the season. They will be in Perth by Friday, so what other cricket commitments are there?
My point is that the Lions have been the standout team in the competition and deserve a home final. It’s just pure logic.
If the AFL really was serious about growing the game in areas outside of its heartland, it would allow the Lions to really host a final. More effort should be put into growing the game in rugby league territory than simply starting a couple of new, wooden-spoon contender teams.
Taking the NAB Cup to areas off the beaten track is a great way to showcase the game to new fans. Staying in Melbourne doesn’t achieve any growth.
PS: I still very much believe the Lions can beat the Blues in the final, I’m just outlining that the process for selecting a home ground is flawed.
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