Brisbane Lions triple-premiership player Jonathan Brown has lashed out at the Gabba curator behind the AFL Women’s grand final debacle.
On Monday the AFL was forced to move the inaugural women’s premiership decider, between home side Brisbane and Adelaide, to Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast after the Gabba surface was ruled unsafe.
Long-time curator Kevin Mitchell’s decision to lay new turf after an Adele concert on March 5, with an eye on preparing for an Ashes Test in November, is at the heart of the issue.
Brown was disappointed but not surprised by the turn of events given his experience with the venue’s management over the course of his decorated playing career.
“I lived this for 15-16 years … the AFL are second-rate citizens in Brisbane, especially when it comes to the Gabba,” Brown told Fox Footy on Monday night.
“It’s all about the cricket. Fair dinkum, for the government heavyweights not to be able to step in in this situation … it’s like Kevin Mitchell is the be-all and end-all there.
“It’s an absolute disgrace.
“We’re trying to grow AFL in Queensland still and for it not to be at the Gabba is really disappointing.”
Brown said that he had even been required to ask permission to have a kick out on the turf in the middle of football season, such was the curator’s authority.
Lions chief executive Greg Swann was dumbfounded by the decision to resow part of the wicket area, which has also thrown some doubt over Brisbane’s men’s fixture against Essendon on April 1.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan fumed at the venue’s handling of the situation, but added he had received assurances the ground would be ready for the Lions-Bombers match.
He stopped short of accusing venue staff of sabotaging Brisbane’s bid to host the grand final at the Gabba.
“That’s a slightly different word – I just think this wasn’t made a priority and that’s what really disappointed me,” he told Fox Footy.
“It just feels inconceivable that we get to a situation where the ground is not available.
“It’s very disappointing, it doesn’t make any sense to me, I don’t think anyone contemplated it wouldn’t be there … they’ve had three weeks.
“It was either a competence or prioritisation (issue) … I think it was prioritisation – I mean, you can get a ground ready in three weeks.”
Despite the disappointment, McLachlan said the league’s focus has quickly turned to making the clash the biggest spectacle possible.
“We’re going to make this a great game on Saturday,” he said.
“It will be a good crowd, we were very aggressive with the state government and I’ve been thrilled with their engagement on this from the Premier down.”
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I'd bet AFL would be close to the top revenue source for the Gabba and that it would've just taken a bit more consideration of thought and probably not that much innovation to provide a solution that both accommodates the AFL schedule and getting the surface primed for the Ashes in virtually 9 months time from then.
bobburra
Guest
A fair bit of grandstanding going on here. I may be incorrect saying this but I imagine the Adele concert would have been "locked in" at least six months ago or more, long before any idea of a AFLW grand final being thought of much less realised.If indeed a 3-5 week period of grass growing was being allowed by the head groundsman where /what is problem ? The AFL especially should pull it's head in rather than run around jumping at shadows that are not there. Much to it's surprise the world DOES NOT revolve around the AFL. I love Australian Rules, being a Carlton fan, but a number of issues the AFL take on leaves me gobsmacked a lot of the time.
Alicesprings
Guest
If you can't grow grass in 3 weeks in QLD theres something wrong, amateur hour, especially if they can do it in Melbourne in 1 week (the turn around from the same concert). Gotta remember this is all in the context of the Brisbane Lions negotiating an improved deal with Stadiums Queensland. This will no doubt help the Lions position, even more so if the round 2 game doesn't go ahead. The AFL/Lions will be compensated with if that eventuates. Plus there is the move to have a drop in pitch which has been slowly progressing for a few years now. After this week we're another couple steps closer. Especially as the government wants more events at the GABBA. The economics will make it happen.
Alicesprings
Guest
@Dalgety don't forget the new perth stadium that I'm sure cricket will won't to play on no??? Cricket has for years been benefiting off the AFL. Cricket tragics seem to have very short memories.
Alicesprings
Guest
Think this might come back to bite GABBA management...in the form of a drop in pitches. That and it will help the Lions negotiate with the state gov for a new training track. Now there's a sliver lining.
Alicesprings
Guest
Its a disgrace that the GABBA doesn't have drop in pitch...progress is slow in Queensland hey??
BigAl
Guest
What happened to rollin pitches ?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
If the Gabba wicket is very dear to you, you might be better off embracing the AFL involvement there. The revenue the AFL provides to the ground would be an invaluable part of keeping it comfortably financially liquid, same with the SCG, MCG and now Adelaide Oval.
northerner
Guest
How is the Ashes surface going to be compromised by a game taking place in March? You ever seen grass grow?
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
Good point. Curtain raiser for a lousy Gold Coast Suns game. But the Ashes pitch should have been compromised and Adele should have been cancelled in order to have hosted this game...
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I don't dispute that it is, but if that's your objection to the AFLW grand final being held at the Gabba, your argument is weak.
Desert Qlder
Roar Rookie
The Gabba cricket wicket is very dear to me.
TomC
Roar Guru
Have you forgotten what this conversation is about?
Desert Qlder
Roar Rookie
So significant the AFL itself reduced it to a glorified warm-up game.
northerner
Guest
I daresay, the ratings will be entirely respectable. Just as they have been right along. I know it's hard to get your head wrapped around this, but the AFLW has been a success.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
It might be important to you, but we'll see how important it is on Saturday. Let's see how big the ratings are.
SoccerTheWorldGame
Guest
The 3,000 capacity South Pine Sports Complex is available for the Grand Final. The Lions haven't come close to filling half ground in previous games. This match does not need to be played at a 40k capacity stadium.
northerner
Guest
The first AFLW final is, in fact, a significant event. But of course, since it's women playing, maybe not in the minds of the folks that are still coping with the idea that women can vote.
SoccerTheWorldGame
Guest
Point #1 is correct. Below is a link to a recent Lions game at the 3,000 capacity South Pine Sports Complex. Must be 1,000 people there if that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yw2LkOecmA
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Before today, you haven't posted a single thing since June last year. Before that, your last comment was March 2016. I can't stop you from commenting - comment all you want - but it's obvious to me that you've taking the time to log on and rubbish AFL. Probably just because you felt like it. I don't like league, but I also wouldn't spontaneously decide to log on after 9 months absence to bag out a sport. As Tom said below, it seems anything is justifiable if it'll annoy supporters of a sport you don't like.