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Opinion
The death knell has been sounded for Victoria’s hopes of hosting the 2020 AFL grand final.
For the first time ever the grand final will be played interstate, and for the first time since 1991 the MCG will be empty on the last Saturday of the football calendar.
From 1942 until 1945 the commonwealth government requisitioned the MCG for military purposes and the grand final moved down the road to Junction Oval and, later Princess Park.
In 1991 the construction of the Great Southern Stand forced the grand final to Waverley Park, 25 kilometres south-east.
In 2020 a stubborn virus will move the grand final further from the MCG than ever before.
With Victorians destined to tune into the grand final on TV, let’s take a look at which state is best placed to host this year’s biggest game.
The case for the Gabba
Queensland has saved the AFL season. Working with Gil McLachlan, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk organised the migration of Victorian and New South Wales clubs to Queensland hubs and made the Gabba and Metricon Stadium available for multiple games each round. The crowds have been solid, the enthusiasm has been sky-high and the Gabba surface remains in good nick. A Gabba grand final looms as the sentimental choice.
Beyond the goodwill argument the AFL also has a strategic incentive to move footy’s biggest game to the sunshine state. Queensland is considered a growth market for the AFL, and hosting the grand final — with the attendant hype, the parade, the glamour and the game itself — would make Australian rules football the biggest sport in a state usually dominated by the rugby codes.
The case against the Gabba
There’s nothing very special about the Gabba. It’s not a new stadium, nor is it the best place to watch football. And in late October it will be hot and muggy, potentially affecting the quality of the game and the fan experience.
Despite the Gabba’s 42,000-person capacity, new restrictions have limited attendance to 50 per cent, and a recent COVID-19 outbreak from a Brisbane youth detention centre has everyone concerned. The Gabba might be the sentimental choice, but if the spectacle is the AFL’s primary consideration, Queensland’s case looks weak.
The Gabba is primed to host the AFL grand final (Photo by Jason O’Brien/AFL Media/Getty Images)
The case for Optus Stadium
Optus Stadium is arguably the best place to watch football in Australia. The facilities are state-of-the-art, there’s not a bad seat in the house and the crowd is simply deafening.
As a traditional football market that has played host to numerous games and several teams this season, Western Australia is certainly deserving of the game. And the AFL’s recent announcement that the grand final will be held on 24 October – the same date cited by WA Premier Mark McGowan for potentially easing restrictions and permitting a capacity crowd – suggests that the AFL is strongly considering the allure of a 60,000-person blockbuster in Perth.
What’s more, the WA time zone would be a huge plus for the AFL, which could please both the traditionalists by scheduling the game in an afternoon time slot and also television executives, as the game would go live in Victoria and New South Wales during Saturday night prime time.
The case against Optus Stadium
Unlike the Queensland premier, Mark McGowan hasn’t expressed a huge interest in hosting the grand final, with football low on his list of priorities. He has repeatedly delayed the easing of restrictions, including for the western derby, where more tickets were sold than seats available. Plus there’s no guarantee that 60,000 people will be able to attend Optus Stadium on grand final; it’s only a possibility that has been kept open.
These variables together with the issue of Western Australia’s hard border closures, which will prevent any fans interstate from attending the game, weaken Perth’s case.
The case for Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval has hosted blockbusters in the past, like the packed AFLW grand final and numerous showdowns, and the spectacle has been first class. There are no quarantine requirements for those outside Victoria and New South Wales, and the surface is of high quality. A great stadium, a picturesque setting and a footy-mad state — it’s a compelling argument.
The case against Adelaide Oval
The capacity crowd of Adelaide Oval is 53,500, but only 10,000 are currently allowed in. That number may soon increase to 25,000, but 100 per cent capacity by 24 October is no certainty.
While Adelaide’s bid has few other weaknesses, the other states may simply have the stronger claims.
If the AFL decides on sentiment, the Gabba is the clear choice. If spectacle is the primary consideration, Optus Stadium’s immersive game-day experience is unrivalled. Adelaide Oval is a clear underdog.
The AFL Commission meets this Tuesday to discuss the bids from various states. Come Tuesday evening, expect Brisbane or Perth to be announced as the hosts of this year’s extraordinary grand final.
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