AFLW mulls options for grand final venues

AFL Women’s organisers are hoping to avoid a grand final headache if Brisbane’s stellar form continues.

The second-placed Lions are keen to play the grand final at the Gabba should they earn the right to host the inaugural premiership decider.

In a bid to boost grand final attendance and the television audience, the AFL has set aside an afternoon timeslot on Saturday, March 25, when no men’s matches are scheduled.

The tricky part for the AFL in that scenario is the men’s game between Gold Coast and Brisbane kicking off at Metricon Stadium at 6.25pm Queensland time.

But the AFL are hopeful an early grand final start time wouldn’t force Lions fans to choose between the men’s and women’s games.

“There will be Brisbane fans heading down to the Gold Coast, but with a one-o’clock grand final start we’d be hopeful they could do both,” AFL game development boss Simon Lethlean told AAP.

“The Gabba is the Lions’ preference and we’ll work on that basis to try and get a good result for everyone.”

Back-to-back Adele concerts at the ground in the first week of March are another potential stumbling block, but Lethlean is confident there will be enough time between the events for the turf to recover.

Lethlean said consideration had been given to playing a Brisbane grand final as a curtain-raiser at Metricon, but the Gabba presented fewer logistical issues than the Suns’ home ground.

Brisbane are unbeaten after four rounds of the AFLW, second behind fellow undefeated team Adelaide, with the ladder leaders at the end of the seven-round season earning the right to host the grand final.

“Adelaide play Brisbane this weekend so that will be a reasonably instructional result as to where things might head,” Lethlean said.

“Certainly our preference is to play at Adelaide Oval if the Crows finish on top.

“It would be a pretty big event for the town and the state, so we’d be confident we can arrange something that works for all parties.”

Adelaide’s men’s team kick off their home-and-away season against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval the day after the women’s grand final.

Melbourne, who have put together a three-match winning streak to sit a game back in third, and Carlton, another game back in fourth, are the only other realistic hopes of hosting the grand final.

Lethlean confirmed the preferred grand final venue in Melbourne is Princes Park, the scene of the historic season-opening clash between Collingwood and Carlton.

Hundreds of fans were turned away from that match after the gates were closed when the venue’s 24,500 capacity was reached.

While admission for the grand final will remain free, Lethlean said the league is working through the possibility of ticketing the game to avoid a similar scenario.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!