Queensland firms as favourite to land grand final, Brownlow

QUEENSLAND is firming as a genuine contender to host this year’s AFL grand final, and the prestigious Brownlow Medal night could follow, as the Sunshine State assumes the mantle of Australia’s sporting capital.

With Queensland coming to the rescue of the AFL season by agreeing to host all 10 Victorian clubs for the next two months, momentum is building for the grand final to be held at the Gabba, despite the credentials of bigger and more modern stadiums interstate, should the coronavirus pandemic force the code to abandon the MCG.

AFL fans in Western Australia are demanding the showpiece event go to the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium, while Sydney and Adelaide also offer bigger venues than the 42,000-capacity Gabba.

However, it is understood WA is only a remote chance of hosting the decider, with a new market from Sportsbet showing the Gabba firming as a hot favourite to host the sport’s ultimate prize.

The Gabba had yesterday firmed as a $2.25 favourite on a Sportsbet market for the AFL grand final, ahead of Perth at $3 and the MCG at $4.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday hit back at a WA newspaper front page complaining that the game’s biggest event could be held in the rugby league heartland of Brisbane.

“If they (Perth) can host a State of Origin, I think it’s only fair we host an AFL grand final,” she said.

She also said she would love to see the Brownlow Medal, the sport’s night of nights famed for the red carpet entrances of glamorous WAGS, held in Brisbane.