WA’s pain may be Gabba’s grand final gain
The prospect of the Gabba hosting the AFL grand final in 2020 has increased significantly with new restrictions announced in WA.
The prospect of the Gabba hosting the AFL grand final has increased significantly with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Western Australia delayed until late October.
Days after rebuking the AFL for recent breaches of coronavirus protocols, WA premier Mark McGowan has reversed a planned move to re-open the state in late August.
This would have allowed for full attendances at matches, a move that would strengthen Perth’s hopes of securing the grand final at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.
It had been reported WA was prepared to bid up to $30m for the rights to host a jewel of Australian sport in a bidding war between states for the grand final.
The AFL is hoping to stage the decider on either October 17 or October 24, the date the restrictions in Perth are now set to ease should the coronavirus status of other states improve.
But the lack of certainty in WA is a clear issue for the AFL in terms of planning as it seeks to determine where and when to host finals this year, with a decision expected in late August.
“As always this is a tentative date only,“ McGowan said of the proposed easing of restrictions on October 24.
The delay does not automatically preclude Perth, for there is no certainty of the Gabba being able to host a capacity crowd either, but it is another hurdle for the AFL to consider.
The harsher border restrictions in WA already pose a logistical challenge for the AFL in planning for the finals.
Sides travelling from interstate are required to quarantine for a fortnight in Perth to minimise the threat of spreading coronavirus.
Premiership favourites West Coast will play their final regular-season game at home against the Giants on Sunday before relocating to the Gold Coast for the second time in 2020.
Sitting fourth, the Eagles are well-placed to challenge for a top-two position, which would guarantee a home qualifying final in regular circumstances.
But given the border restrictions in place in WA, this advantage may well prove redundant, even if they do succeed in continuing their surge up the ladder.
The WA premier was scathing of the recent protocol breach by Swan Elijah Taylor, whose liaison with his girlfriend at a Joondalup last weekend landed him in strife.
The 19-year-old was banned for the rest of the season and the Swans fined $25,000 for the breach of protocols, which followed other transgressions, including one by Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.
It has been reported that Taylor’s partner jumped two fences to join the Swans teenager in the hub accommodation before they were discovered by senior players.
Swans coach John Longmire said it was possible the club would impose additional penalties on Taylor, who is yet to address his teammates regarding the breach.
“It’s obviously sinking in and he is very quiet, as you can imagine, and no doubt reflective,” Longmire said.
AFL fixture boss Travis Auld has at least one less challenge to solve in regards to games for Round 18, with Tasmania’s borders now closed until December.
North Melbourne and Hawthorn are contracted to host four games each per season, in Hobart and Launceston respectively.
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