AFLW grand final 2022: Latest news on where the big game will be played

The Lions will be thrilled in more ways than one after advancing to the AFLW grand final. And further infrastructure will need to be brought in.

The AFLW grand final will be held at Brighton Homes Arena. Picture Lachie Millard

Brisbane will host the AFL Women’s grand final at its multi-million dollar megabase after muscling its way to a shot at a second premiership.

The Lions dominated Adelaide to win by 23 points and lock in a home decider at Springfield — the $80 million facility that opened just a month ago — next Sunday, with Brighton Homes Arena given the green light by turf specialists earlier this week.

Star Lion Emily Bates revealed that the team was yet to train on the ground as the turf settled, but had been told they would be allowed on the surface this week for the first time.

The victory came just hours after the AFL announced that depending on results, the game would be held at either Springfield, Marvel Stadium or South Australia’s Richmond Oval, with the league committed to awarding a home grand final to the highest-ranked competing team.

Brisbane Lions AFLW players Bella Dawes, Natalie Grider, and Shannon Campbell at their new Springfield training base.

The Lions will host the winner of Saturday’s preliminary final clash between Melbourne and North Melbourne, with next Sunday’s grand final set for 2.40pm AEDT.

Bates said to have secured hosting rights after weeks of speculation was a relief.

“There was so much outside noise around this game, so it was so nice to get the job done and now we can focus on a home grand final, which is so special,” Bates said on Fox Footy.

“It’s so incredible that the first time we’re ever going to play at Springfield, it’s going to be a grand final.”

The victory will prompt a flurry of activity at the newest facility in the AFL, which has never hosted a game, with a digital scoreboard and interchange benches high on the to-do list before next Sunday.

The capacity for the ground is listed at 10,000 people.

Further infrastructure such as toilets and food and beverage outlets will also need to be brought in to service the day.

It had been feared the turf at Springfield — which is situated about 40 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, near Ipswich — would not be ready in time given how recently it was laid, but league boss of clubs and broadcast Travis Auld described the effort by all involved to have it ready as “remarkable”.

“After an independent turf inspection at the venue this week, the turf was deemed suitable to play, clearing the way for the Brisbane Lion’s state-of-the-art home base to host an AFLW grand final if Brisbane win,” Auld said on Friday.

“The AFL are working with the Brisbane Lions and a government-led task force to address all that needs to be prepared at Brighton Homes Arena.

“All hands are on deck to prepare the venue in time for an AFLW grand final.”

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