Talks continue to bring AFL grand final to Queensland
As the State Government continues talks with the AFL to bring the game’s showpiece to Queensland amid the Victorian lockdown, the man who prepared the MCG for six grand finals says the Gabba is ready to host the event.
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Queensland has poached the MCG groundsman and could be set to pick up the AFL grand final too.
Tourism and Events Minister Kate Jones said discussions were continuing between the State Government and the AFL as the traditional Melbourne home of the grand final grapples with COVID-19 lock downs.
Six Victorian AFL teams have already arrived in the Queensland bubble and the remaining four are due here Sunday.
“Of course Queensland would love to host the Grand Final,” Minister Kate Jones said.
“This would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The Gabba is expected to host two to three matches a week with a crowd of 16,800 allowed into the ground.
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Metricon on the Gold Coast will pick up further games while Cairns is also being considered for matches, Ms Jones said yesterday.
Former MCG groundsman David Sandurski is now Gabba grounds manager said the Brisbane ground would hold up to the increased match demands with a bit of juggling of Lions training and extra TLC for the grass.
Ms Jones said while the AFL fixtures were a feast of footy for Queensland fans, more important was bringing COVID-19 back under control in Victoria.
Victoria recorded 217 new COVID cases yesterday following outbreaks centred on botched hotel quarantine of international travellers. While the number is slightly lower than previous days, authorities said hundreds of health workers were among the numbers infected.
New South Wales recorded 15 new cases of coronavirus, with those linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster reaching 45.
There were no new cases in Queensland.
Talks were continuing with the AFL to make sure the massive fixture had a home this year, she said.
“Already, six Victorian teams have relocated to Queensland and we expect four more bringing all 10 Victorian teams being in Queensland for the 2020 season.
“This will mean the stadiums here in Queensland get a real work out.
“This is a footy feast for Queenslanders.
“We are so happy we have been able to negotiate with the AFL to keep the AFL season going this year.
“We know that during coronavirus, particularly for those in Victoria in lockdown again now, that being to tune in and watch your favourite footy team take to the field is a real morale boosters for everyone in Australia.
“There is a lot of speculation about whether we can secure the grand final.
“We understand that the grand final’s spiritual home is at the MCG and it is very early days.
“We made it very plain to the AFL that we would love to see the Gabba host a grand final.
“I’ve had the great privilege of going down to three grand finals at the MCG.
“It is an amazing experience, it is an amazing atmosphere, it is one that is on the bucket list of nearly every Australian.
“We will continue those negotiations behind the scenes.
“What we really want is for all of Australia to be safe from coronavirus and that is our number one priority as Australians and to ensure Victoria can get its economy kick started again.”
Grounds manager David Sandurski said the Gabba could handle the extra matches.
He said the ground and grass was in good shape but wouldn’t name a favourite between the Melbourne pitch – where he worked for six grand finals – and his new patch.
“Melbourne is the home of AFL but in the time of need we are more than happy to try and accommodate them,” Mr Sandurski said.
“It’s given us a fantastic opportunity be in a position to possibly host a grand final.
“We’d obviously love to see it in Melbourne but if they can’t host it we are more than happy to take it from them and I’m sure we’ll do a great job.”