2020 Grand Final Venue

[Lucifers Hero 40,412]

What do folks think?

After reading this:

WA Premier Mark McGowan on the @AFL Grand Final.
Says he has advised the AFL in person that Optus should host it - if they meet health guidelines.
"Queensland have teams of people working on it, we haven't acted like that. We've played hard to get".

— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) August 21, 2020

I would say have it at the Gabba!

McGowan has made it difficult for the AFL to run the season and now wants the GF to be delivered on a silver platter!  They don't deserve it.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

The last thing anyone needs is another Meth Coast premiership, and I fear that if it's held at Optus there'll be 60,000 booing mutants willing them (and the umpires) over the line. 

 

In addition to that, Queensland has saved the season and deserve to host it.

Edited August 21, 2020 by Good Times Grimes

[Diamond_Jim 12,637]

1 minute ago, Good Times Grimes said:

In addition to that, Queensland has saved the season and deserve to host it.

well they closed their borders making it impossible for the season to continue in NSW and Vic so ...yeah "they saved the season !!"

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

well they closed their borders making it impossible for the season to continue in NSW and Vic so ...yeah "they saved the season !!"

The season couldn't have continued in Victoria, and probably not NSW either without COVID scare after COVID scare. Every time that happened, players would've had to have gone into isolation, which would've led to further matches being postponed/cancelled and the season being even more compromised than it already is. They gave the AFL warning about border closures before the public so that teams could fly in and the season wouldn't have to go on hold again. They absolutely saved the season.

[DemonOX 8,809]

Gabba. 
 

McGowan comes across like an entitled snot and has done NOTHING to help the AFL. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,238]

Adelaide Oval

[Diamond_Jim 12,637]

11 minutes ago, Good Times Grimes said:

The season couldn't have continued in Victoria, and probably not NSW either without COVID scare after COVID scare. Every time that happened, players would've had to have gone into isolation, which would've led to further matches being postponed/cancelled and the season being even more compromised than it already is. They gave the AFL warning about border closures before the public so that teams could fly in and the season wouldn't have to go on hold again. They absolutely saved the season.

The NRL are playing every week in NSW.  Country Vic never closed.

Storm (based in Qld) played the Eels in Sydney last night.

Believe what you will

The crowds in Qld have been loss makers by the way.

Edited August 21, 2020 by Diamond_Jim

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

2 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The NRL are playing every week in NSW.  Country Vic never closed.

Believe what you will

The crowds in Qld have been loss makers by the way.

Where do you propose they would've played in country Victoria where they could have suitably isolated the players while providing adequate facilities? Keep in mind, they would've had to have had enough room there to host multiple teams at a time. When you factor in the quarantine laws of every other state, it would be a logistical nightmare hosting any matches in Victoria. Having matches in a non-footy state like Queensland is perfect for this season as players can walk around with relative anonymity (limiting the interactions that they have with fans, which absolutely could not have happened in regional Victoria), while also working towards one of the AFL's goals of growing the game in Queensland. 

In terms of crowds being loss makers, perhaps that's true on the surface, but they have been phenomenal for member acquisition and retention for all clubs playing games there. 

[Ethan Tremblay 31,153]

The WA Government has allegedly offered the AFL $36 million to host the Grand Final however the Commission are still in favour of the game being held in Queensland as they believe they owe it to them for saving the season. 

Edited August 21, 2020 by Ethan Tremblay

[Lucifers Hero 40,412]

7 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

The WA Government has allegedly offered the AFL $36 million to host the Grand Final however the Commission are in favour of the Grand Final being held in Queensland as they believe they owe it to them for saving the season. 

On FC Caro said Richard Goyder, AFL Chairman, wants it in Perth (where coincidentally (or not) is where he lives). 

Being Chairman of Woodside Petroleum he would be very cosy with Premier McGowan.  Lobbying over a fine bottle of red?  Mates scratching backs, perhaps...

Lots to play out behind the scenes.

Edited August 21, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[dl4e 5,851]

33 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Adelaide Oval

I agree but only if we are playing. The premiers of QLD,WA and SA are all behaving like dictators. Only kim jong dan is worse.

Maybe it should be held in Port Morseby.

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,029]

MCG.

Give it to the very last minute. Cases will by sub 30 by mid October.

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

3 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

The WA Government has allegedly offered the AFL $36 million to host the Grand Final however the Commission are still in favour of the game being held in Queensland as they believe they owe it to them for saving the season. 

They do owe it to them

And on top of that a huge opportunity to further grow the game in QLD.

[Whispering_Jack 30,853]

This latest news might alter the balance back in favour of a Perth or even Adelaide Grand Final.

Queensland tightens restrictions after nine new positive cases

[Demonland 73,230]

Didn't think NSW was even an option. 

 

[layzie 34,099]

I'd prefer highest bidder but there is some sentiment towards QLD as they essentially saved the season. We'll find out more next week though. 

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

How about my place? Big screen in the lounge, beer fridge in the garage, BBQ, pool table and nearby park for kick to kick at half time.

[FritschyBusiness 1,478]

It's gonna be at the Gabba, QLD government saved the season and will be rewarded.
 

[Lucifers Hero 40,412]

victorian-government-tells-afl-not-to-host-grand-final-in-nsw/

"While Queensland is the raging favourite to host this year’s decider, NSW has emerged as Victoria’s chief major events rival and the Victorian Government has made it clear it doesn’t want Sydney getting a look-in".

NSW are looking to poach other events. 

Politics is the name of the game! 

[layzie 34,099]

Strange article that, didn't get much from it apart from a vague suggestion that the Vic Government has an agenda. 

[58er 6,648]

22 hours ago, Good Times Grimes said:

The season couldn't have continued in Victoria, and probably not NSW either without COVID scare after COVID scare. Every time that happened, players would've had to have gone into isolation, which would've led to further matches being postponed/cancelled and the season being even more compromised than it already is. They gave the AFL warning about border closures before the public so that teams could fly in and the season wouldn't have to go on hold again. They absolutely saved the season.

Good analysis DJ is off the mark !!

[Lucifers Hero 40,412]

Comparison of Options

the-case-for-and-against-each-state-s-bid-for-the-afl-grand-final

Western Australia

The case: WA Premier Mark McGowan has repeatedly said his state has the best stadium for the game, but crucially won't budge on quarantine expectations for AFL sides.

Queensland

The case: Without Queensland this season simply would not have worked, and the AFL's financial black hole would have been significantly larger.

This goodwill looms as key in the AFL's decision-making.

A grand final in Queensland would be a win for the AFL in a growth market, where television ratings are up (admittedly off a low base).

South Australia

The case: Early in July South Australia didn't come to the table when the AFL wanted to establish hubs in the state.

However, teams have been able to travel between South Australia and Queensland quite easily as the season progressed and this has worked in the state's favour.

New South Wales

The case: Both the Victorian government and the MCC - both have a say in the decision - are opposed to New South Wales getting the event, therefore it looks almost impossible.

The ANZ Stadium surface has long been a problem during AFL games.

Victoria

The case (or lack thereof): The government and AFL have held out until the very last minute to rule Victoria out (that won't happen officially until replacement stadium announced).

[Lucifers Hero 40,412]

WA up the ante: 

"Despite the premier claiming WA is playing “hard to get”, the Herald Sun reported the state has offered $35 million to host the flag decider, or $50 million to host all finals".

Apparently, they also want to buy the Eagles rnd 18 game to have it at Optus Stadium.

west-coast-vs-north-melbourne-round-18

C Scott is on the record as saying they 'prefer' the GF to be in Qld, which is no surprise. 

$50m is a huge sum during covid for the AFL.  We all know the right thing to do is for the GF to go to Qld because they kept the comp alive this year.  But as we also know the right thing doesn't mean much to the AFL and $50m might be too good juicy a carrot to not take. 

Edited August 25, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,929]

12 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

WA up the ante: 

"Despite the premier claiming WA is playing “hard to get”, the Herald Sun reported the state has offered $35 million to host the flag decider, or $50 million to host all finals".

Apparently, they also want to buy the Eagles rnd 18 game to have it at Optus Stadium.

west-coast-vs-north-melbourne-round-18

C Scott is on the record as saying they 'prefer' the GF to be in Qld, which is no surprise. 

$50m is a huge sum during covid for the AFL.  We all know the right thing to do is for the GF to go to Qld because they kept the comp alive this year.  But as we also know the right thing doesn't mean much to the AFL and $50m might be too good juicy a carrot to not take. 

The AFL has always been able to justify games in exotic locations (China, New Zealand) by talking about how much value in dollar terms they got out of the exposure. If they believe the exposure in Queensland would be worth more than $50 million, (or $35 million if it's just about the GF), or, more correctly if they can find some figures that justify arguing that it's $50/35 million worth of exposure, that would make Brisbane the easy choice.

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

16 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

WA up the ante: 

"Despite the premier claiming WA is playing “hard to get”, the Herald Sun reported the state has offered $35 million to host the flag decider, or $50 million to host all finals".

Apparently, they also want to buy the Eagles rnd 18 game to have it at Optus Stadium.

west-coast-vs-north-melbourne-round-18

C Scott is on the record as saying they 'prefer' the GF to be in Qld, which is no surprise. 

$50m is a huge sum during covid for the AFL.  We all know the right thing to do is for the GF to go to Qld because they kept the comp alive this year.  But as we also know the right thing doesn't mean much to the AFL and $50m might be too good juicy a carrot to not take. 

 

Good on him I say.  Wish he was premier of Victoria.