Should COVID19 continue to escalate in Victoria, and a near empty MCG be frowned upon by most the AFL world, where should the AFL grand final be played.
In making such an important decision for the showpiece event of the game, what should be the criteria?
The three venues that could arguably stake a claim are Perth’s Subiaco, the Adelaide Oval and Brisbane’s Gabba.
If crowd capacity is the only criteria, you go with Subiaco. At 60,000+, it is larger than both the Adelaide Oval and Brisbane.
However, an important factor for choosing a city is whether or not a team from the region may be involved. Unlike in Melbourne, where several teams are in with a shot each year, Australia’s other AFL cities have a max of two possible candidates.
Despite some recent success in the west, this year the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles are far from certainties of making it anywhere near the big dance. At the same time, Port Power and the Brisbane Lions both currently sit on the top end of the ladder, showing the best form they’ve shown since the early 2000s.
So it should be whoever finishes higher, Port Power or Brisbane Lions? To the victor goes the spoils? Would this approach work?
Hang on, there are other things to consider. As the AFL has just relocated to QLD, why not just play at the Gabba and make the call now?
Thankfully there is another path forward. A 2020 only, best-of-three grand final series played in
Brisbane and Adelaide, with a third game in Perth.
Suddenly the combined total crowd more than eclipses an MCG crowd!
Further, the issue of player fatigue and too many games played is not really a problem in 2020.
Likewise WA, SA and QLD currently are not plagued by COVID19. Whilst this could rapidly change, what other objections are there to a best-of-three series? Key point to reiterate, this would be for 2020 only.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
and lock up your car!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Judging by that comment Gerard I suspect that you have never been to Perth either!
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
You can go to Subiaco oval. Just a school there now.
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
With WA borders closed how would spectators get in? If a Vic side made the GF there would be no Victorian supporters allowed across. With 2 week Quarantine all other state visitors would stay in Perth hotels for 2 weeks prior, at their expense. $150/night x 14 = $2100, plus food, and that before buying a ticket and flights. So forget Perth
Beni Iniesta
Guest
I'll give you the hot tip - there is no chance the AFL Grand Final will be played at Subiaco - this year, or any other year.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Some, yes. But I bet the AFL’s decision will be about maximizing revenue. And to be fair ,under the circumstances this year I don’t blame them.
ScottD
Roar Guru
The Perth (Optus) Stadium is currently hosting games with 30,000 people in the stands (i.e. 50% capacity) and is probably (but not definitely) he most likely to be in a position of hosting 60,000 attendees by time the GF comes around. I do like your concept of sharing games but suggest that the finals be changed so that there are two semi finals (held in Brisbane or one in Brisbane and one is Adelaide) and then a week off before the (single) final is in Perth. cheers mate
ScottD
Roar Guru
are you claiming to be a visionary ? :laughing:
RT
Roar Rookie
Grrr. I can't unsee that.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
To small, it's gotta be a major stadium, it should be Perth IMO
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Yes!
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, but we aren't talking about deciders. I thought it was clear to the literate that we were talking about dead rubbers
TomC
Roar Guru
Obviously the size of the ground does count.
Jaeger
Roar Rookie
Imagine the Melbourne Cup. No fans just horses. Haha. The horseys will have to social distance. One horse every second barrier. :silly:
Jaeger
Roar Rookie
Size of ground doesn’t count with COVID19. Health groups are already up in arms about 20k attendance at games in WA due to potential for a super spreader event. You would have a GF in an empty stadium. Would be same result as A baron MCG
Jaeger
Roar Rookie
Yeah State of Origin deciders are a pretty silly concept. Again money also. Additional paychecks to compete. If coming from qld or sa, exemption may be possible.
Jaeger
Roar Rookie
Origin was played in Melbourne. Won't be capacity games due to COVID19 limits.
Jaeger
Roar Rookie
Not quite. Any decision would be later down the track. There is noise for Optus Stadium. I disagree. Too early for that call. You would likely only get 20k in Optus anyway due to COVID19. In a year where large dollars have been lost, makes more sense to have a three game series.
Jaeger
Roar Rookie
COVID19 is changing the rules. :unhappy:
Gary
Roar Rookie
Not sure why you have to start the game earlier if it's in WA. 2.30pm is fine. People can have a bbq lunch then watch the GF.