Adelaide pushes claim to host GF
THE SA government wants to host the AFL grand final at Adelaide Oval but has done nothing to convince the league it deserves it, as WA lodges a formal submission to bring the showcase game to Perth.
SA Premier Steven Marshall on Friday reiterated his position that Adelaide Oval would be a perfect venue for footy finals, which are all but certain to be locked out of Melbourne due to the COVID-19 outbreak. But while WA gets on the front foot to bring the big game to Optus Stadium, Marshall said SA had not made any request.
“I don’t think the AFL are calling for official submissions to be lodged by a certain date, but it is fair enough to say that we are very interested in playing finals footy here at the Adelaide Oval,” Marshall said.
“It’s an excellent venue and we’ve proven time and time again that the Stadium Management Authority can manage large crowds very efficiently, and I think SA should be considered.
“I think we’ve put ourselves in a really good situation to bid for a large number of events but, of course, they’ve always got to be assessed on an individual basis.”
Asked whether that included the grand final, Marshall said: “Yes”.
It comes amid reports the WA government has lodged a formal submission to the AFL to host this year’s AFL finals series – including the premiership decider – backed by COVID-19 protocols to protect players, staff and fans.
It is understood significant work has also been done on a detailed proposal for Queensland to host the grand final.
But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office said it was “premature to talk about” the possibility.
“Queensland is happy to be in a position to help the AFL season continue and allow fans – especially those in Victoria – the chance to cheer their team,” A spokesman said.
“As the temporary home of the AFL in 2020, Queensland is well positioned to secure the AFL grand final, which will deliver a major boost for Queensland’s tourism sector.”
But with the MCG holding a contract to host the decider until 2057, AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan tempered talk it could be on the move.
“I don’t want to sound too sort of structured about this but we have got a contract to play the grand final at the MCG and until that changes that’s where the grand final will be,” he said on 3AW radio.