AFL tipped to give thanks by moving grand final to the Gabba
THE AFL Commission is expected to reward Queensland’s $200m role in saving the season and its promised legacy of ongoing football investment when it decides the grand final venue on Tuesday.
The league is considered almost certain to announce an October 24 grand final at the Gabba with a 7pm start, with the commission to review a recommendation handed down by its AFL executive.
Three flights will depart
Melbourne on Tuesday bound for the Gold Coast, with star Cat Gary Ablett and family and dual premiership Tiger Shane Edwards confirmed passengers. The league will have around 2000 AFL staff, players and families and 15 AFL clubs in the Gold Coast and Queensland by Tuesday night, all of them approved by the State Government despite the COVID risk.
The Gabba would host a historic night grand final in front of 30,000 people, and interstate clubs Port Adelaide and West Coast will be able to host home finals all the way through to the preliminary final if they earn that right.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan will be part of Tuesday’s commission decision then get on the chartered flight to Queensland that afternoon for an expected Wednesday announcement.
Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones is hoping the AFL Commission ruled in favour of the Gabba.
“An AFL Grand Final would deliver great benefits for Queensland. Delivering events that will pump millions of dollars into our economy and support local jobs is an important part of the government’s economic recovery strategy to rebuild our tourism industry. That’s why we’ve launched a strong bid for the grand final,” she said.
“The fact Queensland has played such a strong role in ensuring the AFL season is able to continue has put us in good stead. I understand an announcement is imminent. We’re waiting to hear back from the AFL.”
Despite going up against NSW, SA and WA, pundits believe Queensland is a red-hot favourite, having already hosted many of the teams to save the code having to cancel the season due to Victoria’s COVID second wave.
Queensland delivered a compelling pitch to AFL top brass to host the decider last week, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Ms Jones and a bid working group meeting via video link with McLachlan and others.