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 early frontrunner: the Gabba, Queensland
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)
A new favourite: Optus Stadium, Western Australia
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 underdog: Adelaide Oval, South Australia
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.
Elsewhere?
The decision
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.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t say we struggle. But I’ve liked the Pies all year. I still think they can finish second. :laughing:
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
That claim is on the advice of native West Aussies.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Except Pies Doc, you struggle against us.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
GrNted Qld has some good accom, but to say WA couldn’t handle that is typical of someone with no knowledge of WA.....I don’t think your binoculars reach further than the great sandy desert.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
So FF :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I’m with ya. When SA would lose to WA I’d think “Good game guys” and when we won I’d just be happy. But I’d seethe over losses to Victoria and victories made me feel like Mohammad Ali.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I reckon the GF should be spread every 2nd yr. Say, Perth 2020, Adelaide 2022, Brisbane 2024, Syd...etc. ------ Victoria thinks it exists on a vacuum.
Danny
Guest
It would be nice if the highest ranked team got the nod....first time in history a non Victorian team could actually be the home team. I guess there isn't sufficient time to plan if they were to wait and see who the grand finalists are. There could be some strange outcomes. If West Coast finish 4th and lose their first final but make the GF the long way and play Port Adelaide who finish minor premiers and win their first and second final and If the final is played in Perth, West Coast would technically be the away team reminiscent of what happens when a Melbourne ranked team plays as the away team at the G agains a non victorian team. Also a possibility is West Coast or Port playing a higher ranked Victorian team at home and as at the away team. A reversal of the normal situation. I think it should go to WA or SA as the traditional footy states but as others have said I expect QLD to get the nod
Micko
Roar Rookie
I'm just asking you. Not interested enough in the AFL to be honest. Just a basket case season at the moment. Would've been better as a season to be held in one location as a lightning tournament over in 2-3 months. They've already reduced the playing times to accommodate squeezing more games in so why not reduce the season length by being based in one location?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I became a fan of W Perth because of Johnny Wynne. He came to Norwood from W Perth and is one one my all time faves in Aussie Rules. A real trench fighter.
RT
Roar Rookie
Micko you can have look at the fixture and you will see.
Micko
Roar Rookie
So is anyone joining St Kilda & Melbourne in Darwin then? Or are they leaving Darwin now? And if so, where are they headed to?
Footy Fan
Guest
Give it to a footy state While I can totally understand that queensland has a tremendous job, great job with the afl hubs, coordination of the hubs has been top notch, the queensland government has been more cooperative and more open minded with the afl than McGowan and co has, so in that it does make sense, I do see a lot of sense in that argument, I can see more than one side of the story. They've played most of the season there so logical sense says they should play there. While Queensland has produced some truly great players like Eric Hipwood, Charlie Cameron, Alex Sexton, Lachie Weller They've done so much for the afl, but perth or adelaide deserves the grand final not on the basis of a year but on a basis of decades Perth and Adelaide are the biggest footy states everyone in western Australia and south australia talks and breathes footy, the west australian is a footy magazine with a bit of news in it How many great players has western Australia and south australia has produced in recent times Luke Jackson, Mitch Georgiades, Sydney Stack, Jordan Clark, Marlion Pickett, Aaron Naughton, Oscar Allen, Liam Ryan, Tim Kelly, Patrick Cripps, Nat Fyfe, Tom Mitchell, Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Daniel Rich, Nic Naitanui, Michael Walters, Buddy Franklin, Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy McGovern, Mitch Duncan, Sam Menengola, Sam Powell-Pepper, Bradley Hill, Paddy Ryder, Jack Martin, David Swallow, Dom Sheed, Cam Zurhaar, Elliot Yeo, Brad Sheppard, Jason Johannisen Harry Taylor ,Brodie Smith, Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine, Jackson Hately, Callum Wilkie, Kozzie Pickett, Conor Roezee, Chad Wingard, Jared Polec, Aaron Francis, Tom Jonas, Shaun Burgoyne, Eddie Betts, Will Day, Sam Day, Justin Westhoff, Ryan Burton, Scott Lycett, Shannon Hurn, Bryce Gibbs, Shane Edwards, Rory Laird, Trent Dumont, Lachie Neale, Lincoln McCarthy, Peter Ladhams
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A cogent point that was well argued and eloquently stated. ----- In other news, "What did you mean?"
Wake up call
Guest
South and Western Australia have always been great supporters of Australian football since the beginning. It should be there as a reward and thankyou from Melbourne. But, we all know what the AFL is like. They will sell it's soul for 12 pieces of silver. So, it'll end up in Queensland.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
That's your narrative and go to line, Rowdy. Your 'Trump card'. Fake news, dude.
RT
Roar Rookie
It might not make seems to you, but that is because you are not prepared to do the hard yards and think about the issue. So I will explain for you. In July, the AFL said they were spending $3mill a week on hubs. That was when Qld and NSW teams were still based at home and at some point there SA and WA teams went home. So 14 teams at most in the hub, which comes to about $4200 per person per week based on your 50 players and staff per team. (When families joined it was set to go to $4mill a week.) That is around $600 a night which makes sense when you book entire resorts and pay for all food. The cost of flying 50 people interstate with no accomodation (as that is what they started out doing) who then return to their homes and buy their own food would not cost $4200 per person (not to mention that not all teams would fly every week). Even if you add a couple of nights accomodation and food it still won't come to $4200 per person. It is simple. Hubs cost more than fly in fly out. At round 2 the AFL could have delayed their season another 2 weeks (as WA required from memory) and pay for 16 teams in a hub, or have 4 in a hub with others flying in and flying out as required. It is pretty obvious which opton made economic sense at the time and still today with 14 teams in a hub better than 16, regardless of the odd extra expense of players flying to and spending a night or two in Darwin or Alice. If that didn't make sense to you, do your own costings and explain, don't just throw in furphies about non existent NT hubs.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And the same would go for Adelaide. SANFL GFs, pre Crows, were streets ahead of the VFL GFs on a per capita attendance basis.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Same for SA ... and there will be a hotel attached to the oval itself by GF day.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Exactly. By having a large hub in the one place, SE Qld, you avoid this 14 day quarantine period to a large extent. Really important in a compressed season. SA and WA could not accommodate a large number of teams including players, staff and families. Simple.