AFL Grand final: Lions star Charlie Cameron calls for Gabba to host season decider
Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron has called for this year’s AFL grand final to be held at the Gabba, as the prospects of the decider being hosted at the MCG continue to diminish.
BRISBANE Lions star Charlie Cameron has called for this year’s AFL grand final to be held at the Gabba, as the prospects of the decider being hosted at the MCG continue to diminish.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday said Queensland would be “happy” to join discussions in the future, but suggested talks about the Sunshine State’s chances of hosting the decider were “premature”.
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As Victoria enters a State of Disaster, curfews are expected to remain in place until September 13 – about a month out from when the final is slated to take place on October 17.
Asked on Monday about the potential for Queensland to host the grand final, Ms Palaszczuk said the government was focused on hosting the competition.
“At the moment, I don’t think we should be discussing the grand final,” she said,
“I know how much the grand final means to Victorians. I know how much Victoria is hurting at the moment.
“At the moment, we are focused on the competition and if at some stage down the track there are discussions, we are happy to be part of those discussions.
“But they are premature at this stage.”
In a statement yesterday, the government said it could confirm that discussions were underway “as part of the work we are doing to keep the AFL season kicking along in these tough times”.
Ms Palaszczuk had previously indicated that Queensland would make a bid to host the biggest day on the AFL calendar.
The Premier’s comments come as support continues to grow for a Queensland decider because of the support the state government has given the AFL in allowing the season to continue.
Cameron, whose Lions side meets premiers Richmond on the Coast on Tuesday night, said it was only fair that Queensland was given grand final hosting rights.
“We have all teams here, why shouldn’t we have the grand final here?” Cameron said.
“We’ve opened the borders up for all the AFL teams to come here and play footy here, so why not have it here?
“We should have it over … Optus Stadium (in Perth).”
Lions legends Jonathan Brown and Simon Black have also said it would be a fitting reward for Queensland’s efforts if the showpiece event was held at the Gabba.
“It is up to the AFL just how much weight they will put on the Queensland side of things, the willingness to help the season up here,” Black said.
“In terms of who has contributed the most in terms of a season happening it is hands down Queensland, so is the AFL going to in some ways I guess do the right thing and reward Queensland for doing that.”
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said with the AFL grand final falling during caretaker period, she was asking the Premier to “join with” her in pushing for the event.
She said it would give a shot in the arm for jobs and the local economy.
“With more than 200,000 Queenslanders unemployed, we must do all we can to create jobs,” the LNP leader said.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland’s general manager of advocacy and policy, Amanda Rohan, said hosting events like the AFL grand final would inject a “shot of adrenaline into economies”.
“Although current COVID restrictions, may impact the overall economic benefit it may have had in ‘normal’ times, there’s still lots to gain,” she said.
“For the opportunity to be maximised though, there needs to be planned incorporation of small business into the events, contracts and before and after game opportunities so the positive effect can be shared and money can flow through the local economy.”
Victorian clubs are currently based in southeast Queensland, while a stack of matches continue to be played at the Gabba and Gold Coast venue Metricon Stadium.