Perth Confirmed to Host AFL 2021 Grand Final if MCG Unavailable

PissLUR on 25/08/2021 - 17:01
Last edited 25/08/2021 - 17:24 by 1 other user

Optus Stadium will host the 2021 AFL grand final if coronavirus outbreaks and lockdowns force league heavyweights to abandon its traditional home the MCG.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said Optus Stadium would be an “amazing venue” in the event the MCG was unavailable and that its bigger capacity put it at advantage over Adelaide Oval, which can seat 53,500 patrons.

The AFL was prepared for a Perth finale but can’t confirm the relocation from Melbourne until the Victorian government gives consent to move Australia’s biggest sporting spectacle from the MCG, which is contracted to host the grand final until 2058.

That decision is unlikely to be confirmed until early next week, but the AFL has to be a step ahead if Perth was to host the season’s biggest games, due to quarantine requirements in WA.

The 60,000-capacity Optus Stadium will be the second consecutive venue in Australia to host the competition’s biggest day and other lead-up grand final events, after the pandemic forced the decider north to the Gabba in Brisbane last season.

will there be a public holiday in WA if this goes ahead in Perth?

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  GG57 on 25/08/2021 - 17:04

  +1

  I suppose this is good for those that follow AFL in WA and can maybe get some tickets to attend.
  Otherwise, for the majority of people, we just watch it on TV anyway (if interested).

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  Seraphin7 on 25/08/2021 - 17:20

  +3

  Great way to reward Western Australia for sticking their middle finger up at the rest of the country.

  • 

    dufflover on 25/08/2021 - 18:20

    +4

    Only at NSW and their Prime Minister mostly :P

    • 

      Randxyz123 on 25/08/2021 - 19:53

      +1

      And at Victoria.

      You honestly couldn’t pay me to return to WA.

      • 

        spackbace on 25/08/2021 - 20:06

        +9

        It's ok, we wouldn't…

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  pharkurnell on 25/08/2021 - 19:39

  Cant wait for a storm to come through at 1/2 time :)~

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  st1ng on 25/08/2021 - 20:23

  Will be interested to see if WA govt bend the rules and allow the players to train and play in the 14 days since arrival. The benefit of the finals last year was all the teams were already in Queensland.

  • 

    sween64 on 26/08/2021 - 10:36

    There’s a bye weekend due that will occur before any finals are played in WA to help facilitate quarantine.

    • 

      st1ng on 26/08/2021 - 11:19

      Yes, however you cannot expect teams to play the Preliminary Final, fly and then be confined to their hotel rooms for 14 days and play the grand final on the 15th day.

      • 

        sween64 on 26/08/2021 - 11:37

        They’ve previously allowed teams to train and play whilst in “quarantine” before.

      • 

        GG57 on 26/08/2021 - 11:38

        They seem to take over a whole 'resort' or similar, and train etc., within the confines of that location. No-one else in or out.
        But, regardless, it would be the same for both teams.

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  sammyla on 26/08/2021 - 18:50

  Why do WA have the lowest vaccination rate ?but that M&M person lecture the whole country on how to manage coronavirus.Quite funny, wonder what he did with vaccines he didn’t want to share with NSW? Probably drank them.

  • 

    spackbace on 26/08/2021 - 19:29

    +1

    Location
    Melbourne

    Salty much?

    • 

      sammyla on 27/08/2021 - 00:28

      -1

      Far better here we don’t shut down for one case,it’s quite comical really.a state that acts like an autonomous region trying to lure people for their own benefit, good luck with that.

      • 

        spackbace on 27/08/2021 - 09:45

        +1

        Yet we've still spent less time in lockdown than you over the last 18 months…

        But that's ok, don't let facts get in the way of your saltiness

        • 

          sammyla on 27/08/2021 - 09:51

          -4

          @spackbace: Yet you still beg rest of the country to come up to WA , but no one can cos you guys slam the border shut if someone sneezed, when you folks start acting like you are part of Australia we will surely visit mate. not missing much up there anyway, except for some nice beaches of course.

          • 

            spackbace on 27/08/2021 - 10:08

            +2

            @sammyla: It's ok, we can survive without tourist $$s. After all, our mining sector is helping out your state every time your covid cases get out of control

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  Willco88 on 26/08/2021 - 18:51

  HAHAHA good luck nobody will be able to travel to wa anyway