AFL Mackay grand final moves as Great Barrier Reef Arena secures cricket

Cricket has trumped AFL 12 days out from the 2021 season grand finals and clubs are ‘severely disappointed’.

AFL leaders are up in arms over an 11th-hour decision to bump grand final matches from Harrup Park for elite cricket matches.

AFL Mackay was set to host its grand finals at Harrup Park on September 11, before Cricket Australia confirmed the women’s international side would travel to the region.

International cricket took precedence and AFL Mackay was forced to relocate 12 days out from the big dance.

Magpies Sporting Club are the new hosts after stepping in last minute.

Australia's Alyssa Healy will visit Mackay for the Australia v India ODI series in September. Picture: Marty Melville

Moranbah Bulldogs president Stephen Thompson said it was “severely disappointing” to lose the facilities, but he was grateful Magpies took on the hosting duties.

“They want to host AFL games, international cricket matches, they’re chasing the big-ticket items, but what they’re missing is the key ingredient to the development of the sport in the region,” he said.

“The Magpies were fantastic to jump at the opportunity to host the games, and for keeping our season alive right at the end.

“My general understanding is if you have an agreement in place you should honour that agreement, and I think that’s what has upset people the most.”

Harrup Park general manager Adrian Young said securing the matches happened very quickly.

“We found out about the opportunity to host the games out last Tuesday or Wednesday and spoke with the local AFL representatives and the head of AFLQ,” he said.

“They completely understand the benefit of hosting top-tier games, this content is being thrust upon areas like us and we need to take the opportunities when they come.

“By hosting these games we can show other elite sporting competitions that we have the ability to hold top-tier content, hopefully giving us the ability to host AFL games, which will in the future help to develop the sport and junior participation in the region.”

Alana Gee in the North Mackay Saints and Eastern Swans clash in the senior women's McDonald's Mackay Cup. North Mackay was knocked out by Moranbah in the elimination final. Picture: Matthew Forrest

North Mackay Saints coach Craig Jenkins said it was a good excuse to move grand finals back to a rotating fixture between clubs.

“Bakers Creek were keen to hold the big day, the lighting isn’t ever a problem in the last game,” he said.

“The money made from hosting a grand final is enough to keep the local clubs functioning.”

AFL Mackay operations manager Joshua Rhodes said all options were mapped out before the league decided to relocate the grand final to Magpies Sporting Club.

“We were told on Thursday at 2pm that they wouldn’t be able to host the grand finals,” he said.

“We looked at a couple of different venues, but one major issue was the grounds having match-standard lighting, which would be required if there was any draws and extra time.”

Tickets for the cricket will go on sale on September 14 on Ticketek, with Harrup Park waiting for the Queensland Government to advise Covid restrictions at the ground.

“There will be different types of tickets offering different levels of corporate hospitality,” Mr Young said.

“It’s probably the biggest broadcast event ever held in Mackay, the last time these two teams played there was 74 million viewers worldwide, so there is a great economic exposure and benefit for future tourism.

“This content is being thrust upon areas like us and we need to take them as they come.”