AFLW minor premiers Brisbane Lions have lost hosting rights to the inagurual grand final, which will be played at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.

The AFLW finale – between the unbeaten Queenslanders and Adelaide – will be a curtain-raiser to Saturday’s AFL Q-Clash.

The league and the Lions were adamant they wanted the first AFLW decider played at the Gabba.

But fears over the state of the playing surface at the Test cricket venue has led to head office moving the grand final an hour south.

A statement from Queensland Sports Minister Mick de Brenni foreshadowed the move.

“We have done everything possible to encourage the turf, but the speed at which the turf grows is outside of our control,” De Brenni said.

Not having the grand final venue confirmed five 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 caused extensive damage to the turf, which is expected to take several weeks to recover.