Gabba stages big dance

AFL decider in Sunshine State will net $12m

THE AFL will recoup as much as $12 million in ticket sales from a Gabba grand final expected to be announced on the Gold Coast.

The AFL’s Commission has settled on the venue for the October 24 grand final but as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan boarded a plane north yesterday had kept that cabinet confidentiality intact. News Corp reported on Tuesday that Queensland would be reward

JON RALPH AND LAUREN WOOD

ed for its role in saving the season and its potential to create a legacy for football in the expansion state. The decision to hold the grand final at the Gabba and hand Queensland a historic occasion will cap the AFL’s last arrival of officials, with 2000 now in the state.

But before that decision is announced the league was last night brokering an official agreement with Victoria to move the contest from the

MCG. That will involve a concession to extend the MCG deal to host the grand final past its 2057 contract, with the government wanting two extra years and some added football content in regional centres.

Queensland’s bid chairman Tony Cochrane said he was still awaiting a decision from the AFL but was optimistic.

“We have heard nothing from the commission today,” he said.

League boss Gillon McLachlan was one of the last to check in for the final flight that left Melbourne for the Gold Coast at 5pm on Tuesday.

He said the recommendation had been accepted by the commission but some issues needed to be resolved before an announcement from the league‘s transition hub.

“There is a recommendation to the commission that‘s been accepted,” McLachlan said.

“But there’s stuff we’re working through clearly today with the Victorian government and the relevant bodies and hopefully we get there.

“We’re looking forward to completing it tonight or in the morning and making an announcement tomorrow.”

The Queensland bid will see the AFL recouping that $12 million fee through a 30,000seat capacity at an average of $400 a ticket.

It is understood the Queensland government is prepared to offset many of the AFL’s normal costs including staffing, security, pre-game entertainment and transport costs.

The pitch was for a pregame entertainment extravaganza leading into a game that would be a true night game in Melbourne. With Melbourne and Sydney having adopted daylight saving by late October the Queensland bid would fixture the game to ensure it was played at the optimal time for the AFL.