Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann unhappy with criticism of AFLW grand final ground

Brisbane Lions boss Greg Swann has launched a staunch defence of the club’s new Springfield base, which will host the AFLW grand final.

Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann likes the look of Brighton Homes Arena. Picture: Albert Perez / Getty Images

“Peeved” Lions chief executive officer Greg Swann has slammed critics of the decision to host the AFLW grand final at Brisbane’s new Springfield base, declaring the facility to be “world class” and far superior to “windy hellholes” in Victoria.

With the Gabba and Metricon Stadium unavailable, minor premiers Brisbane will host Melbourne in Sunday’s AFLW decider at Brighton Homes Arena in the first match to be played at the venue.

Swann has been unhappy with the Melbourne-centric view that BHA is nothing more than a “glorified training venue”.

“I’m a bit peeved,” he said.

“It’s mainly coming out of Melbourne, that this is just a training ground. It’s actually a purpose-built AFLW ground.

“It’s a stadium, it’s got grandstands … ultimately we’ll fit 10,000 to 12,000 people here when it’s all finished.

“To have an AFLW grand final as your first game (at the new venue) is historic, and we’re lucky to have it.

“This’ll be the best ground in the competition and we get to play on it on Sunday

“Both sides are going to have to play on it. We play in places that are windy hellholes. I won’t say where. There’s a few down in Melbourne.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: A general view is seen during a Tour of Brighton Homes Arena on November 21, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Swann said there would be no problems on the newly laid turf, which the Lions women’s team was due to train on for the first time on Monday night.

“The AFL have a turf consultant that goes around to all the grounds in Australia and ticks them off, and he came here last Tuesday, and ticked this off,” the Lions boss said.
Swann said the Lions had earnt the right to host the decider and rejected talk that the AFLW grand final should be played at the same venue in Melbourne each season.

“Every AFLW grand final has featured Adelaide or Brisbane in it. We’re not all from Melbourne, so I’m not sure why you have to lock in a venue in Melbourne,” he said.

“The concept of earning the right to host the grand final is what we started with in this competition, so I’m not sure why we need to change that.”

Swann said BHA would be Brisbane’s home for “a very long time”.

“Hopefully we’re playing many grand finals over the next few years for the girls, it’s home for our VFL team, and our (AFL) boys come back next week, and they’ll train here as well,” he said.

“It’s an exciting time, it’s a great facility and we’re really rapt that it’s going to be opened for an AFLW grand final.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: A general view is seen during a Tour of Brighton Homes Arena on November 21, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

A scoreboard will be in place at the ground in time for the grand final, which is set to be played in front of more than 8000 fans.

Interchange benches from the Gabba will be in place at BHA by Sunday, while extra trains will run to take supporters to the match.

“This is world-class. I’ve been to New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles … it’s as every bit as good as those facilities,” Swann said.

“We’ve got the best venue in Australia for AFLW now. When Melbourne come to play here … they’ll be pleasantly surprised.

“As the seasons go on … I’m sure people might regret calling it a glorified training venue.”