Bad news appears to be looming for Brisbane and the AFL over the women’s grand final venue.
The league and the Lions want Saturday’s inaugural AFLW title decider against Adelaide played at the Gabba.
But a Monday media release from Queensland Sports Minister Mick de Brenni was not optimistic, with the readiness of the playing surface the issue.
The Queensland government, the AFL and the Gabba remain locked in negotiations, plus a ground inspection is underway.
An announcement on the grand final venue is expected later on Monday.
“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.
“The experts’ decision won’t come until later today.
“But whichever way the experts call it, I can assure Lions fans that no stone is being left unturned in our efforts to see the game played at the Gabba.”
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 is said to have caused damage to the turf, which is expected to take several weeks to recover.
Last week, 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.”