Now the AFL has two major grand final issues on its hands.
Already weighing up whether to play an AFL twilight grand final as early as this season, the league has been unable to lock in the Gabba for the women’s premiership decider.
Unbeaten Brisbane will play Adelaide next Saturday to end the inaugural women’s season and the AFL has promised the venue will be confirmed on Monday.
“AFL is continuing to work with Stadiums QLD, the Gabba and the QLD Govt and will have a AFLW grand final venue determined by tomorrow,” AFL media manager Patrick Keane announced on Twitter.
He added the Lions and Crows were aware of the Monday announcement.
The Lions finished six points clear at the top of the ladder and they are adamant the grand final should be played at the Gabba.
The only blemish so far in their season has been Sunday’s last-gasp draw, where Carlton roared back from four goals down inside the last 10 minutes.
“Every @lionsaflw supporter should rest assured that the Club is doing everything in its power to get Saturday’s GF at the Gabba #AllForOne,” Brisbane communication manager Steele Tallon tweeted.
Not having the grand final venue confirmed six days before the game is an unusual problem for the AFL, given how well the inaugural women’s league has run.
While her Australian tour has been a resounding success, blame Adele for the controversy.
Her concert at the Gabba earlier this month is said to have caused damage to the turf, which is expected to take several weeks to recover.
Last week, Queensland Sports Minister Mick De Brenni said the Gabba was on track to host the women’s grand final and the first two Brisbane AFL home games, but Queensland Cricket has concerns about the centre wicket area because of damage from the concert.
The Lions have played their women’s home games at the South Pine Sports Complex in Brendale, which has a capacity of just 3000 and is unsuitable for the grand final.
Asked if it was frustrating not to know the grand final venue less than a week from the match, Lions coach Craig Starcevich said “a little bit”.
“But we’re confident it’s in Queensland, for a start,” he added.
“Because we’re in the little zone of trying to get this result done, you sort of know it’s coming, but you’re not really spending too much of your time thinking about (it).
“It would be nice to know by now – I think it’s getting closer, but we’ve been saying that for a few days.”
