The Brisbane Lions have received permission to host the AFLW grand final at the club’s new training base in Springfield should the team win Friday night’s preliminary final against Adelaide.
Key points:
- The turf at the new Ipswich facility has been deemed acceptable to host the grand final
- AFL executive Travis Auld says “all hands are on deck” to ensure the Springfield venue will be ready
- The grand final could also be played at Docklands Stadium or Richmond Oval in West Adelaide, depending on who progresses
With the Gabba and Carrara Stadium unable to be used next weekend, the Lions were facing the prospect of having to play an earned home grand final interstate.
Their Springfield base, which only opened for use less than a month ago, was not thought likely to be ready to host a match in time, but a late push has seen the turf prepared to an acceptable standard for the AFL.
“On behalf of the AFL, I want to thank the Brisbane Lions and their staff for their remarkable effort in getting the turf ready and thank the Queensland Government, Federal Government and Ipswich City Council for their support in developing the venue which will be an incredible asset for football in the state,” AFL executive Travis Auld said.
“After an independent turf inspection at the venue this week, the turf was deemed suitable to play, clearing the way for the Brisbane Lions’ state-of-the-art home base to host an AFLW grand final if Brisbane win.
“The AFL are working with the Brisbane Lions and a government-led task force to address all that needs to be prepared [in Springfield]. All hands are on deck to prepare the venue in time for an AFLW Grand Final, should the Brisbane Lions win on Friday night.”
The Lions will host the decider if they win their preliminary final due to their finishing on top of the AFLW ladder after the home and away rounds.
Melbourne, who finished second, will host the grand final at Docklands should the Lions fail to progress.
If both Brisbane and Melbourne lose their respective preliminary finals, Adelaide will host North Melbourne in the grand final at Richmond Oval in West Adelaide.
The grand final will be played next Sunday, November 27, and will start at 2:40pm AEDT regardless of the venue.
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
