The AFL should consider playing all finals in states where crowds are allowed to attend, says coaching great Mick Malthouse.
AFL coaching great Mick Malthouse has urged the AFL to play the finals series, including the grand final, of a rebooted season outside Victoria if fans remain locked out.
And West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett has talked up Perth’s credentials as a grand final host if that unlikely scenario comes to pass.
The AFL is edging closer to restarting a 17-round season, which could begin as early as June and be wrapped up by October.
It had been considered highly likely that games would be played in empty stadiums, certainly in Victoria where Premier Daniel Andrews has stuck to his guns in keeping more stringent measures in place.
But the Northern Territory has made a bold bid to host matches by allowing fans to attend.
If Western Australia or South Australia follow that lead, Malthouse can’t see why Optus Stadium or Adelaide Oval shouldn’t host the grand final.
“If Western Australia or South Australia admit crowds to the game there is no reason to have any finals, quite frankly, played at the MCG because players and the viewing public love to see a crowd on TV,” Malthouse said on ABC Perth on Saturday.
“‘Chairman’ Andrews, he’s suffocated us, so there’d be no chance of the public going to games over here (in Victoria). So why wouldn’t the games be played where the crowds are?”
League boss Gillon McLachlan has pledged to keep an open mind on fixturing as the AFL works with the states to get a revised 2020 season underway.
Nisbett doesn’t believe crowds returning to games in Western Australia or a Perth grand final are beyond the realms of possibility.
“I wouldn’t rule it out because this has been such an unusual year,” he said.
“You’d think the (WA) premier has probably got in the back of his mind, and the sports minister would be thinking ‘if we have a really clean bill of health for a long period of time then anything is possible’.
“Our stadium is definitely the best stadium in the country and one of the best in the world, so I couldn’t see why the AFL wouldn’t look at it, albeit they’ve got contractual arrangements and so forth, in Melbourne.
“Certainly these are unbelievable circumstances that we’re dealing with, so I wouldn’t rule out anything yet.”
ScottD
Roar Guru
Absolutely incredible. Over the last 3 months Mick Malthouse has started making statements I agree with. Something must be going on..........
RT
Roar Rookie
DTM, sorry not to reply earlier but I didn't get a notification. Anyway, I don't think it is disrespectful at all, due to the unique circumstances of this season. If they had to pick a venue now they would probably pick the MCG, if for no other reason than the contract. However since the date is subject to change and where crowds are permitted is also subject to change it makes perfect sense to be open to change. (Plus, booking your ticket now when you don't even know if your team will be in the Grand Final, whether the date is definite and whether you will be allowed to go seems a tad optimistic. I guess if it is a refundable ticket...) I doubt even the MCC would kick up too much of a fuss if they were not allowed to have a crowd but another venue did and the AFL wanted to move the game. Not sure the point of your questions, but here goes: 1. - 2 2. - 2 (2017 / 2019) 3. - depends If Richmond were in it and it was Adelaide then it is an easy drive so yes. If other cities I might not, but had 2017 and 2019 not happened or had I not been lucky enough to score a ticket, then yes I would do what I could to get there.
Flagpies
Roar Rookie
I'm all for it being in front of a crowd over no crowd, if that means it gets moved from the G for one year then so be it. Hope it's Perth, I live here. Would love see 60k fans melt down over Collingwood winning it because it's in October (possibly). Could you imagine the boos?! Would be awesome, come on non Pie fans bring on the hate! :thumbup:
DTM
Guest
This disrespects all fans who aspire to go to the GF. It also shows a clear lack of understanding of the planning and financial commitment required by football fans around the country to get to the MCG for GF day. A couple of questions for you Ritchie: 1 How many GF have you been to? 2 How many of those did Richmond play in? 3 Would you travel to Perth, Adelaide, Darwin or Brisbane to go to the 2020 GF if it was scheduled in one of those cities?
Marty
Roar Rookie
What a stupid analogy. Have 247000 people died worldwide from backyard tiger attacks over the last few months, and if they had then wouldn’t you expect the government to do something about it?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Good point.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Exactly. If we had've closed the borders, contained that ship and locked the oldies down we could've carried on without torching people's livelihoods. We have a huge advantage being an island and we should use it.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
There's no tigers in my backyard because of the tiger trap I put out there...regardless, it's time to ease restrictions.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
I agree with mick malthouse,we should play footy in the NT at least we can hear the crowd cheering.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A lot of the NSW, SA & Tas cases were from the cruising petrie dish known commercially as the “Ruby Princess”.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Had we not put fielder in where the catch was going to go down the catch would’ve gone down.
Marty
Roar Rookie
And why do you think there are so few cases?Possibly something to do with those ‘overly cautions’ health authorities or just good looking luck?
RT
Roar Rookie
The point is, the October 31 date is the preferred date, but it is not definite. It will only happen if everything goes right, so I don't think the fixture will be finalised until late in the season. If they lock in a venue now they will pick the MCG for obvious reasons. However should crowds not be permitted at the MCG at that stage they will want to move. Likewise if the World Cup somehow goes ahead and the AFL season gets extended, there could be a clash and an MCG final will not be possible. Therefore it makes perfect sense to delay a decision. I will concede that they could announce a venue for October 31 but it has to be on the proviso it may be changed.
DTM
Guest
Of course a decision needs to be made on a GF location when the fixtures are finalised. Wherever it is held, fans will want to travel to it - they will need time to arrange leave, airfares, accommodation etc. Sponsors will want to organise corporate functions. Local clubs will organise their own functions and the event will be an opportunity for battling grass root clubs to raise much needed revenue. The AFL will need to determine (depending on the ground size) how they are going to handle seating allocation. Clubs in the hunt for a finals berth will plan their own logistics should they get through to the GF. Even if it is to be held in Melbourne, that decision should be made and announced before round 2 starts. Victorians seem to take for granted the logistics of attending a GF - perhaps because you have never had to do more than hop on a train.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
We have to give Melbourne every chance to keep the GF. It'd be unconscionable to not give Melbourne every chance to maintain it's hegemony. :laughing:
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Australia is experiencing a dozen 'rona cases a day, most of which are in oldies homes. Make no mistake, there's no pandemic in Australia. The health authorities are being overly cautious, which is what they usually do. They should start the season as soon as possible and let crowds in.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Here we go again...
WCE
Roar Rookie
safety first, then sort the games and GF but i do agree with the strange year we are experiencing if its possible to get the season up and running albeit, safely, then why not use Perth stadium, Adelaide, MCG etc..
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Agree. There is no need whatsoever to make that decision now.
RT
Roar Rookie
Why make a decision as soon as possible? What difference does it make?