Brisbane women call for home final, not a Coast curtain-raiser

PREMIERSHIP favourites Brisbane want to play the AFLW grand final at the Gabba if the Lions earn hosting rights.

Brisbane Lions ALFW player Kaitlyn Ashmore. Photo: Darren England.

• New skipper joins elite company
• Heart scare for Bronco at training
• Fresh start, fresh SuperCoach scores?

BRISBANE want to play the AFLW grand final at the Gabba if the Lions earn hosting rights.

The Lions are premiership favourites after defeating Adelaide in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

Lions player Kaitlyn Ashmore wants the AFLW final to be played at the Gabba. Photo: Darren England.

The inaugural grand final is scheduled for March 25, the day of the AFL’s Round 1 Q Clash between the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.

Playing the grand final as a curtain-raiser to the Q Clash has been raised as a possibility but it is not the preference of the Lions.

It would also produce a logistical nightmare as entry is free to women’s matches.

Kaitlyn Ashmore, who has been one of the stars of the Lions’ undefeated season, said the players were desperate for the game to be played at the Gabba.

“If we qualify it would be amazing to have it at the Gabba, that is officially the Lions’ home ground. I would love it to be there,’’ she said.

“I reckon we would get a lot more fans if we had it there.’’

Kate McCarthy celebrates a goal with Kaitlyn Ashmore. Photo: Darren England

The Lions’ home games have been played at Brendale, which has held more than 5000 fans for the two games so far, but that is also inadequate. Brisbane anticipates more than 15,000 would attend the grand final.

The Lions have been told a decision on the Gabba’s availability will not be made until the surface is inspected once the stage and other temporary infrastructure from the Adele concert is packed up.

Lions CEO Greg Swann said the Gabba was the logical choice.

He accepts playing the grand final there could force some Lions fans to have to choose between the club’s women’s and men’s teams.

A 1pm bounce-down would give fans time to catch both games and Swann said the Lions were exploring running buses between the Gabba and Metricon Stadium for fans wanting to make the trip.

“It’s a grand final, it has to stand alone,’’ he said.

Swann said meetings would begin in earnest and hoped the rental demand was reasonable for a competition that was still in its infancy.

The AFL bankrolls the game and will have the final say on the venue.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league would have a clearer idea of the available options for the grand final after discussions today. They were not planning on making the announcement until the beginning of week seven of the competition.

The Lions host the Western Bulldogs at Brendale on Saturday.

Originally published as Brisbane women call for home final, not a Coast curtain-raiser