AFL 2020 Grand Final at the Gabba: Key questions answered
It is a final series like never before which means there could be a rule like never before. Will Victorian clubs be able to drag the Lions away from the Gabba and pick their finals venues? Get all your Grand Final questions answered.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Victorian clubs could be given the green light to drag Brisbane out of Queensland in the finals should they earn the right to host the Lions
The AFL will finalise its finals series this week and is seriously considering granting ‘home’ clubs their choice of available venues, a reward Geelong has long campaigned for.
The league confirmed Port Adelaide could advance to the Grand Final, which will be staged at the Gabba on October 24, without leaving home with Adelaide Oval available to host finals in the first three weeks.
But West Coast will almost certainly be on the road after week one due to WA premier Mark McGowan’s hard borders and strict quarantine measures.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan contacted the Eagles on Wednesday and said chief executive Trevor Nisbett understood the ruling.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Watch every match of every round Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly
McLachlan said clubs must complete a seven-day “hard quarantine” in Perth before playing at Optus Stadium.
The pre-finals bye should make that possible in week one, but it is unlikely to work beyond that.
That means unless the Eagles finish first, second, fifth or sixth then Optus Stadium will not be used again this year.
McLachlan said 10-12 premiership contenders were polled on the pre-finals bye, with all bar two clubs voting in favour of the week off, which has been approved.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge opposed the bye on Fox Footy last week.
Lions coach Chris Fagan recently claimed the Gabba was now a neutral venue because most clubs have played multiple games there and acclimatized to Queensland.
The Lions have won 16 out of their past 19 games at their home fortress and are likely to play their ninth home-and-away match at the Gabba in Round 18.
Collingwood is guaranteed six home-and-away games at the Gabba, ahead of St Kilda (five), West Coast (four), Essendon, Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Geelong (three).
Richmond only has two games at the Gabba while the Dogs and GWS will enter the finals having played at the Grand Final venue just once this year.
Coaching legend Mick Malthouse told the Herald Sun recently that clubs should choose where they play home finals.
The Saints have a 2-0 record at Adelaide Oval this year while the Tigers are 4-0 at Metricon Stadium, which McLachlan said was a “possibility” to host a final.
Why are we having our first night Grand Final?
It gives the AFL an opportunity to experiment with the night timeslot for the first time – and test whether it should become a permanent feature of the game. The timing also avoids a clash with the Cox Plate, which is also on October 24. “I know when they want to run the Cox Plate and a night Grand Final will suit them just fine,” AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said. “That was our commitment. It’s not why we made that decision, but I know racing is going to be okay.”
Why did Gabba win the bid?
The Queensland Government essentially saved the AFL season during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria by allowing teams to set up hubs in Queensland to continue the season. Games have been played on high rotation at the Gabba and Metricon Stadium, and soon Cairns. The AFL has rewarded Queensland’s financial support in a season where revenues were ravaged by the pandemic. The decision to hand the Gabba the grand final also allows the AFL to recoup potentially $12 million in ticket sales. The AFL is also keen for this to be a “legacy” decision, helping grow the game in a non-traditional state and rugby heartland. Queensland was one of four states to bid, with South Australia finishing ahead of Western Australia and New South Wales.
Has the AFL locked in an exact start time for the Grand Final?
No, but the game will be played under lights. With daylight savings in place, the earliest the game will start is 6.30pm Melbourne time (5.30pm in Queensland), but likely a little later. The AFL will work with broadcasters to maximise the audience and spectacle.
What happens if Queensland has a COVID-19 spike?
Adelaide Oval is on standby to host the Grand Final if the game cannot be staged at the Gabba. If there is a spike, the AFL will firstly look at playing the match with a reduced crowd at the Gabba. If the situation escalates, Adelaide will get hosting rights. If the Grand Final is at Adelaide Oval, the AFL feels a crowd of about 31,000 is possible.
Can Victorian fans get to the Grand Final?
Queensland has closed its border to Victorians. When asked whether the Grand Final will change the state’s stance on border restrictions, Premier Palaszczuk simply said “no”. “It’s making no change at all,” Palaszczuk said. “We said the (border restrictions) are reviewed at the end of every month and that’s what we’re going to be doing.”
But some diehard fans are considering heading to the Northern Territory, where they can quarantine for a fortnight before heading onto the Sunshine State.
How will the 30,000 Gabba tickets be allocated?
The AFL says competing club members will get the biggest slice of the ticket pie, but the league is yet to confirm the specific breakdown of where all tickets will go. Of the tickets available to members, there will be a 50-50 split between the two teams. Any unclaimed tickets would return to the pool and potentially go on general sale. The AFL still needs to work through the entitlements of interstate-based MCC and AFL members, as well as allocations to various other stakeholders.
What will the entertainment look like?
The line-up will be announced later this month but promoter Michael Gudinsk said it would be all Australian artists, particularly from Queensland.
Other Queensland acts who could potentially perform include Keith Urban, Amy Shark, Violent Soho, The Veronicas, Thelma Plum Chris Bailey and Ricki Lee.
A later start time creates the opportunity to create a made-for TV entertainment extravaganza.
When do the finals start?
The AFL will release the format this week, with a night game on either Wednesday September 30 or Thursday October 1 set to launch the series.
Will all finals be in Queensland?
No, but most will. Port Adelaide can play at Adelaide Oval for the first three weeks while West Coast will probably be allowed to host a final at Optus Stadium in week one only. The AFL is also considering allowing Victorian clubs (and GWS) to play ‘home’ finals at their choice of venue, which could mean a final at Metricon Stadium or extra games at Adelaide Oval.
What is crowd capacity at each ground during finals?
We won’t see a crowd bigger than 30,000-31,000 in October, which will be allowed at the Gabba for the Grand Final or Adelaide Oval if the game is moved there. Optus Stadium already permits crowds of 30,000. Current Queensland currently allows for 50 per cent crowds and further health protocols brings Metricon Stadium’s current capacity down to about 8000.
Can Victorian fans get to SA or WA finals?
Not at this stage as both states have strict border closures. Victorians can only enter South Australia if they are an “essential traveller” or live in a border community. People can only enter Western Australia if they are am “exempt traveller” on essential work or compassionate grounds.
Where and when is the Brownlow?
The Brownlow Medal will be a hybrid event that is likely to be staged in the traditional slot of the Monday night in Grand Final week. Players from clubs still in the premiership race will be unable to leave their hubs to attend but will dial in virtually.
That will see TV cameras set up in multiple locations to capture the event. The medal and this year’s votes joined the premiership cup in the cargo transported from Melbourne to Queensland on Tuesday.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (VIC TAB)
Richmond $4.25
Geelong $5
West Coast $5.50
Brisbane $6
Port Adelaide $8
Collingwood $17
Greater Western Sydney $17
Melbourne $26
St Kilda $34
Western Bulldogs $41
Carlton $101
Essendon $151
Fremantle $251
Gold Coast $251
MORE AFL NEWS:
Queensland Government’s secret strategy to win AFL grand final
AFL 2020: 11 reasons the Gabba is set to host historic Grand Final
Danny Frawley suffered from brain disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE
Special analysis: Does your club have a game plan that can win a premiership?
Originally published as AFL 2020 Grand Final at the Gabba: Key questions answered