Grand Final must hit the road.
Forget an MCG Grand Final, 2020 is the year the AFL’s showpiece must go on the road.
With Victorian Covid-19 cases spiking and restrictions being ramped up rather than being relaxed, the AFL must break with tradition and do what is best for our game.
Sure, footballs new normal isn’t what we have grown to love, empty stadiums with no atmosphere and players living pretty much in quarantine.
But fast forward to late October, the stark reality of little or no crowds at the MCG isn’t what we need on Grand Final day.
That’s why 2020 is the year to take it on the road.
It’s enough to make any Victorian footy fan shudder, but it’s worth remembering we play in the AFL competition and not the VFL.
Many will point to the April 2018 announcement that saw the Victorian Andrews state government lock away playing the AFL Grand Final at the MCG until 2057.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced at the time “This is for fans giving them the best venue, better access to the sports they love and keeping the Grand Final where it belongs at the MCG”
It was an announcement great for Victoria and its clubs, but it held little value outside its borders.
In return the state government agreed to spend $500million in upgrades including the AFL owned Marvel Stadium.
Geelong coach Chris Scott didn't like it saying “we’re a truly national competition now, to have the Grand Final locked into the MCG is a travesty”
Many argue that it has to stay at the MCG as it’s the only stadium that can hold 100,000 fans.
But non-Victorian footy fans are quick to mention the NFL Superbowl is the single biggest annual sporting event in the world, and if it’s good enough to take it on the road every year, why not us?
The NFL has never decided a Superbowl host solely by how many fans the stadium can hold.
With recent outbreaks of Covid-19 in Victoria and restrictions making life tougher rather than easier, the idea of taking the GF on the road, is gathering steam.
And as Victoria goes into lockdown, the rest of the country appear to have new covid-19 cases under control.
One thing that is almost certain - Victoria are next to no chance of being able to let large sized crowds into games anytime soon.
Why not move the AFL’s showcase event to either South Australia or Western Australia so our grand finalists can play in front of a full house at either the Adelaide Oval or Optus Stadium?
West Australian premier Marc McGowan announced on Monday that WA would go to phase 4 eased restrictions by Sat 27th June, meaning Optus Stadium would be able to host 30,000 fans from this weekend and a full stadium from Round 7 (July 18).
A fortnight ago South Australian was the first state to host fans (2240) for the recent Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide. And with no active cases in SA it wouldn’t be out of the question for both states to be able host a full stadium on Grand Final day in four months time.
So long as Covid-19 cases keep heading in the right direction.
AFL finances having taken a significant hit during the pandemic, being able to play the Grand Final in front of 55,000 fans at Adelaide Oval or 60,000 at Optus Stadium, would see the league net millions of dollars in gate takings.
The South Australian and Western Australian state governments have also recently lobbied the ARL to host Rugby League State of Origin games, they could do the same with the AFL.
And with little opportunities for the average interstate footy fan to ever experience a Grand Final, this could be their only chance.
Covid-19 has smashed the world with the loss of lives and health issues, it has also wreaked havoc on the world’s economy.
This is the only chance to make the Grand Final a showcase event in 2020.
I’d take a healthy, full stadium at either Adelaide Oval or Optus Stadium over an empty MCG any day.
And with the Grand Final set to be anchored at the MCG until 2057 with Victoria looking after Victorians, it’s time someone stood up for the rest of Australia and took our season decider on the road.
Not to, doesn’t make sense.