AFL open to ‘extremely difficult’ Adelaide Oval switch to allow South Australia to host Shield final

South Australia looks set to host the Sheffield Shield final, and the AFL is open to Adelaide Oval hosting the decider despite potential clashes with AFL matches and an ‘extremely difficult’ turnaround.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has opened the door to the Sheffield Shield final being held at Adelaide Oval at the start of the footy season “if it can be accommodated within our schedule”.

After ending its 13-year trophy drought on Saturday with a win in the final of the one-day cup on Saturday, South Australia will be pushing to claim its first Shield title since 1996.

South Australia sits atop the Sheffield Shield ladder and could secure hosting the final as soon as this week should results go its way.

South Australia won its first one-day title in 13 years. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

Should this happen the South Australian Cricket Association is pushing for the final to be held at Adelaide Oval instead of the smaller Karen Rolton Oval.

But this would require the final to be moved to two days earlier than already scheduled with Adelaide taking on North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on March 30, while Port Adelaide take on Richmond on March 22.

It is understood the Crows have been active in discussions around this given they are the ones who are going to be impacted the most.

Dillon said the AFL could be open to the possibility if it worked within its schedule.

“I understand there’s a chance that SA could be hosting that,” he said.

“Like we do with other sports where we have a scheduling clash, we’re fortunate to play in the best stadiums in Australia across all of our capital cities and we know those stadiums get built and operate because they are multi-sport.

Could the Adelaide Oval do the (nearly) impossible and host back-to-back cricket and footy matches? Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

“So if it can be accommodated within our schedule, we absolutely would look at that.”

While it is possible to transform the venue from cricket to footy, it is considered extremely difficult to do.

This is mainly because of the difference in grass length between the two sports.

It would also mean that the Crows could not have their customary training session at Adelaide Oval ahead of the clash against the Roos.

Vice-captain Reilly O’Brien said that would not put them at too much of a disadvantage ahead of the clash.

“We train there a fair bit,” he said.

“I guess they will sort that out.”