AFL Grand Final: Premier admits to ‘close talks’ behind the scenes over hosting season finale

Queensland is ready to host the AFL grand final with Annastacia Palaszczuk saying the State Government was having “close talks” behind the scenes.

Scenes like this at last year’s AFL Grand Final will almost certainly not be repeated, regardless of where it will be hosted. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

Queensland is ready to host the AFL grand final with Annastacia Palaszczuk saying the State Government was having “close talks” behind the scenes.

But she wouldn’t say how confident she was that the Sunshine State would secure it, instead saying her Government wasn’t talking about it yet.

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“Once Victoria makes their decision, the AFL, once the national body makes their decision, but we are having some close talks behind the scenes,” she said.

“We’re going to work very closely behind the scenes and if the decision is made for it not to be held in Melbourne, Queensland has hosted the bulk of the competition and I’d hope that people living in Victoria would also support Queensland.”

The Premier wouldn’t say whether Queensland was willing to put money on the table, saying the Government wasn’t at that stage yet.

“Like I said we need the AFL to make their decision and this is a very tough decision because let’s face it, it has never left Victoria but Queensland does stand ready, willing and able to host if it is unable to be hosted in Victoria,” she said.

Originally published as AFL Grand Final: Premier admits to ‘close talks’ behind the scenes over hosting season finale