Gabba now in boxseat to host AFL grand final after Victorian lockdown

Queensland’s home of AFL the Gabba is now looking increasingly likely to snare the AFL grand final as Victoria plummets deeper into a coronavirus crisis. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says it’s too soon to talk about it.

Queensland is now in the box seat to host this year’s ALF grand final at the Gabba.

With the AFL season now based in Queensland, and with a State of Disaster declared in Victoria, a Brisbane-based grand final is looking increasingly likely.

But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has played down talk of the Sunshine State hosting the grand final, saying discussions were “premature”.

Victoria today entered a State of Disaster with strict curfews that will last until September 13 – about a month out from when the grand final is slated to take place on October 17.

Asked today about Queensland’s chances of hosting the grand final, Ms Palaszczuk said it should be discussed at an “appropriate time”.

“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.”

All 10 Victorian AFL teams are currently based in the Sunshine State, potentially until the end of the season.

Ms Palaszczuk has previously confirmed that Queensland had put in a bid to host the grand final.

“I did actually say to (League boss Gillon McLachlan) on the phone, the fact that we’ll be hosting nearly of all the teams here … that I did put in a bid, as you would expect me to as Premier of Queensland that if we’re hosting most of the competition here, it would be great to see if we could actually host a grand final,” the Premier said in July.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday declared the strictest measures yet, including an 8pm curfew, until at least September 13.

The AFL has said it would make a decision on a grand final venue by this month.

Everything points to a Gabba grand final given WA border restrictions that require quarantine and Queensland’s willingness to help keep the season alive.

Senior AFL industry figures were privately conceding last week there was no prospect of the MCG hosting another game this year.