AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league must be agile and flexible in its thinking, including the timing and venue for this season’s grand final.
Nothing is off the table for the AFL as the sport looks forward to the time it is given the green light to restart the 2020 season – including the possibility of a Christmas grand final away from the MCG.
League boss Gillon McLachlan is determined to squeeze in the remaining 144 games, plus finals, of a shortened 17-round season before the end of the year when life returns to some level of normality after the global coronavirus crisis.
The AFL was on Friday handed the flexibility to play games deep into December when the AFL Players’ Association agreed to a new pay deal to slash wages by up to 70 per cent in response to the shutdown.
“We will do whatever we need as long as we’re prioritising the health and safety of our players and the community,” McLachlan told Fox Footy when asked about the possibility of playing the grand final either side of Christmas.
“As long as we’re leading the right way and in sync with where the government wants us to be – and where the community expects us to be – we will do whatever we need to do after that to get a season away.”
The MCG will be handed over to cricket’s Twenty20 World Cup in late October, with the first game at the venue scheduled for Sunday, October 25.
That would leave the MCG available to the AFL for the first two weekends of October to possibly host a grand final, with at least 10 days required to prepare cricket pitches.
The league is willing to shorten gaps between games to compress the season in order to play the grand final at its preferred venue, which has a capacity of around 100,000 fans.
“We’re in an incredibly uncertain time, to state the obvious,” McLachlan said.
“That’s our priority (to play at the MCG) but if we can’t then we’ll do whatever we need to to get it away.
“We’ve got a playing group that I know has been given a hard time but they actually do care deeply and they’ll do what they need to do.”
McLachlan maintains a national draft will be held this year despite the likelihood that junior and state league action will not restart.
Redb
Roar Guru
Reckon mass gatherings will be the last restriction lifted. No vaccination for awhile.
RT
Roar Rookie
Maybe by the end of the year they will allow crowds with social distancing. MCC and corporates only?
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Not sure about WC being included in this group. Have lacked the year in year out consistency of the others. Your comment about the Tigers is stating the obvious.
RT
Roar Rookie
I don't think that's why you do it though. As I said you need something else to hang your hat on, as does one game wonder Cox, but I hope you don't get it!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I just keep putting the bait out and you keep biting Richie!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I couldn’t care less if they took those flags away from the dim dark past anyway TTF. Hawthorn, Eagles and Cats the best new era sides. Sydney have been pretty good too. Tigers need another one and sustained time at the top to join them
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Just like you've taken the 5 flags under the ridiculous challenge system of the 1920s and 30s. Collingwood really should be stripped of these and they be given back to their rightful owners. Richmond would lose one flag under these circumstances, I'm fine with that. But I digress. An 11 game season wouldn't be the lottery you suggest. I reckon it would be less likely to see a premier come from left field unless the draw was well and truly rigged. Even then, still unlikely. Naaaah, 11 games doesn't constitute a season.
RT
Roar Rookie
I think a 17 game season is fine, but 11 game is just not enough. Sure I'd take the Premiership, but 2017 and 2019 would mean a lot more to me, there is no avoiding it.
RT
Roar Rookie
I don't think so. I am only sensitive about boring, repetitive, inane commentary. It is pretty easy to move on when you win a Premiership 12 months and 1 week later. Methinks the PtS needs something else to hang his hat on regarding Richmond than a game 2 seasons ago, which only allowed Collingwood to lose yet another Grand Final (one which I believe Richmond also would have lost).
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I’ll take a flag in an 11 game season if that’s how it works and I genuinely won’t care in any way what anyone thinks about it. Players aren’t going to be prime conditioned if they return, it opens up an unlikely premier like a Freo, a Melbourne or God forbid a Caaarlton!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Talk about over sensitive. Methinks the Richie protests a little too much
Penster
Roar Guru
What's the run up time for drinking if Grand Final Day was held on Christmas Day? What a way to celebrate Baby Jesus' birth. I'll bring the bonbons.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Every dog has its day, Cox has had his. And we all know if it's a GF, Collingwood pretty likely won't win regardless of who the opposition is, certainly if it's the Tiges. On a more serious note I'd prefer to see the season wiped rather than some contrived fixture designed simply to get a result. If this happens, with smaller lists likely next year, retirements will be a huge issue at some clubs. Pies could lose a few, Tigers not so much I wouldn't think. WC may suffer. Cats big time. Could be an interesting landscape next year. In this scenario the Giants are in the box seat with the Tiges close behind.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Good point. I feel that they won't have it that late. It's all dependent on the game of poker that the AFL & NRL are having as to how their seasons will play out.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
If the Grand Final were to happen in December, Adelaide Oval would probably be in use for cricket. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind the GF happening here as I could attend easily and hopefully watch PAFC there.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I could make the same argument for Adelaide. Quid pro quo.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
A Grand Final at Marvel Stadium in front of 55-60,000 people at maybe 7pm on a Saturday would be a success for the AFL given the circumstances, I wouldn't mind it and would be a good moneymaker.
RT
Roar Rookie
Move on Peter. We have. 2019 Premiership beats 2018 runners up.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Sheffield Shield will happily play at Junction Oval with the usual 200 spectators
Redb
Roar Guru
Fair chance there will be no crowds at any AFL games this year. If they even manage to get the comp going again, it will be under strict guidelines to limit spread as the virus ain't going anywhere in 2020. No vaccination for 12-18 months. No 100,000 at the G or 50,000 at Marvel, etc