AFL 2020: Brisbane coach wants grand final in Queensland if MCG is ruled out
If the MCG can’t host this year’s AFL grand final, Lions coach Chris Fagan says a Gabba decider should be the next option
Lions
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lions. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has called for this year’s AFL grand final to be played at the Gabba if the COVID-19 crisis rules out the MCG hosting the decider.
Queensland has become the new home of the AFL with the relocation of all 10 Victorian clubs to the Sunshine State.
Jostling for the right to stage the grand final has already started, with Western Australia and South Australia questioning the credentials of Queensland and NSW to host the match.
AFL 2020: Lions tipped to keep Cameron in Brisbane despite offers from Victorian clubs
But Fagan said Queensland’s status has AFL’s temporary base should lead to a Gabba grand final.
“(A Queensland decider) should be given strong consideration,” Fagan said.
“Obviously the AFL have got contractual obligations to the MCG, and I would have thought that they’ll let that ride out for as long as they can before they make that decision.
“If it gets to the point where they know they can’t have it there, then it’s up for grabs.
“Queensland should be at the forefront, the Gabba should be the forefront of calculations for a grand final.”
Fagan, who hails from Tasmania, said every state was entitled to bid for the match if the MCG wasn’t an option.
“That’s just good fun parochialism between states. You’d expect that,” he said.
“If it was up for grabs, and I lived in South Australia or Western Australia, I’d be expecting my governments to put in strong claims to play the game there just as the government has in Queensland.
“That’s all understandable and it’ll just add to the theatre of this football season I’d imagine.”
Currently based in Sydney, the Lions meet GWS at Giants Stadium on Saturday before returning to Brisbane on Wednesday ahead of their next clash on Sunday week against Melbourne at Gold Coast venue Metricon Stadium.
Despite an abundance of matches to be played in Queensland for the rest of the season, it is reportedly the Lions and the Gold Coast Suns who will be among the teams asked to travel to Tasmania and the Northern Territory to play games.
And that’s fine with Fagan.
“The AFL do their best to try to make the competition as even as possible draw wise, and if that (Lions and Suns going to Tasmania and NT) happens, then so be it,” the Lions mentor said.
“We’ve all got to share the load in that regard and that’s not something we fear.
“We don’t even know that it’s going to happen, so we’ll just keep rolling with the punches.
“Who knows what will be happening in two weeks time because the landscape keeps changing.
“I’ve learnt to live this year pretty much a day at a time, and so have our players.”
Originally published as AFL 2020: Brisbane coach wants grand final in Queensland if MCG is ruled out