Brissie decider divides opinion
COACHES of the Gold Coast QAFL teams remain divided on AFL Queensland’s decision to use its Yeronga base for the competition’s grand final even if two teams south of the state’s capital make it.
AFLQ chief executive Dean Warren confirmed a decision was made at the end of last year to host the QAFL grand final at Yeronga following a late shift to Southport in 2017 to cater for grand finalists Palm Beach Currumbin and Labrador.
Gold Coast sides Palm Beach Currumbin and Broadbeach hold first and second on the ladder respectively with one round to play while Surfers Paradise remain in the hunt for finals as well.
PBC coach Chad Owens labelled the decision ridiculous and said the team that made it into the grand final first should be given the right to play it in their home city.
“Last year was a successful day and had nearly double the crowd of the previous year,” Owens said. “Why did a decision need to be made at the start of last year?
“Whoever is the first team in, it should be played in that region. All the planning would be done and it could just be a matter of choosing the venue.
“What Brisbane team is going to go watch two Gold Coast sides play in a grand final? You would lose over 1000 people by having it in Brisbane.”
Labrador coach Aaron Shattock agreed.
“If you can’t organise the grand final in two weeks or have two locations organised, maybe you should look at another career,” Shattock said.
“I don’t understand it and to me it’s not right.”
Broadbeach coach Brett Andrews said while he understood a Gold Coast venue could attract more people, he didn’t have a problem with travelling north.
“Yeronga is the place where the grand final is played at and that’s it,” Andrews said.
“I’d play it in the carpark as long as we make it.”
Surfers Paradise coach Brad Moore declared the Demons would play the grand final “on the moon” if they got a shot at the premiership.