AFL Grand Final announcement delay as Roos seek Perth switch
THE AFL’s Grand Final announcement this week will include the exact start time of a likely night game on October 24 and the rules governing where teams can play home games.
But the AFL will delay an announcement on fixture slots for Round 18 and is yet to officially rule out a contentious switch of the Roos’ game against West Coast to Optus Stadium.
The Kangaroos say they have broad support of the teams around them on the ladder for West Coast to buy that Round 18 clash for around $700,000-$800,000.
The league is reluctant given the danger of that decision backfiring and leading to a significant attack on the competition’s integrity.
If West Coast was able to play at Perth Stadium instead of Queensland, and leapfrog a rival into the top four with a massive percentage boost, there would be outcry.
Yet North Melbourne is keen to recoup some of the $3 million it lost after missing out on games in Tasmania this year and continues to push the idea with the Eagles.
The Eagles are in fifth spot, and while they would be expected to defeat a beaten-up
Roos side at any venue, their percentage is similar to many fellow contenders.
If the AFL did approve the decision it would allow the Eagles to fly back into Perth straight after Round 17, stay for Round 18 and the pre-finals bye.
They could potentially even play a home final there in week one of the finals depending on ladder position.
The league will separate its
Grand Final decision with the Round 18 fixture release, keen to secure more time to ensure a grandstand finish to the homeand-away season.
The AFL is yet to officially announce that it will have a pre-finals bye but News Corp reported last week it was a certainty to occur to help players freshen up.
The Essendon-Melbourne and St Kilda-Giants games are contenders for marquee
Thursday or Friday night slots in Round 18 but also could be dead rubbers by then if any of those teams slump from finals contention.
So the league could wait until much closer to Round 18 given teams know their opponents and the venues are largely irrelevant apart from that Roos-West Coast clash.
The AFL Commission is set to meet on Tuesday morning.