Gabba trial for night switch
THE AFL’s decision to stage a historic night grand final in Brisbane on October 24 could pave the way for a spectacular event under lights at the MCG next year.
The league confirmed footy’s worst-kept secret on Wednesday when the Gabba was locked in to host the blockbuster as a thank you to the Queensland government for saving the AFL season.
It will be the first time in VFL-AFL history the grand final has been staged outside of Victoria or at night.
The league is still to lock in the starting time but AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said the first bounce would be at 5.30pm (Queensland time) at earliest.
Members from competing clubs will be allocated an equal split of tickets. Capacity is capped at 30,000.
Adelaide Oval has been placed on standby should a COVID-19 outbreak in Queensland force the game to be moved.
McLachlan said the timeslot was “independent” to future years but he declared the experiment would deliver valuable feedback.
“Clearly people will have a look at it,” McLachlan said from the AFL’s quarantine hub on the Gold Coast.
“It won’t be so foreign (going forward), and you’ll get a chance to debate it on its merits afterwards.
“We’ll get a chance to look at some stuff, for sure.”
The MCG’s contract to host the grand final has been extended by one year, to 2058, as compensation for losing 2020.
The MCG will also receive extra home-and-away games in the next two years while Melbourne will host the next two national drafts.
McLachlan said the West Australian government was unable to commit to a grand final crowd of 60,000 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
He said WA premier Mark McGowan was “unapologetic” about the state’s hard borders, which effectively killed its bid.
“They’ve got the toughest borders in the country,” McLachlan said.
“To play any finals there, including the grand final, would have to be a seven-day hard quarantine before we could play the game.”
This year’s Brownlow Medal will be a “hybrid” event. A function is likely to be staged in Queensland although players still in the premiership hunt must attend virtually.
The AFL Premiership Cup, Brownlow Medal and votes were flown to the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
The cup will go on a regional tour of Queensland as the AFL hopes to grow the game in rugby league heartland.
McLachlan hopes the oneoff Gabba decider leaves a “legacy” in the sunshine state.
There are 15 AFL clubs temporarily based in Queensland – all except Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn – which was the overriding factor in grand final bids.
The AFL has conducted more than 45,000 COVID-19 tests and its strict protocols helped the Queensland government sign off on the migration of almost 2000 footy people.