News Grand Final at the Gabba - Formerly: Where will this years grand final end up if victoria cant have crowds?

[citizen-erased]

Interesting conundrum
The old "biggest stadium" argument goes out the door if WA isn't seen to be the next option.
Esp if they go home team adv for a team outside Vic making it (i.e Say its Port and the game is at AO)

That said, MCG has a contract in place, so any precedence is overridden at that point until 2057 or whenever it was

 

[Pottering]

Ideally?
1) Adelaide - good surface, only 10k less capacity than Perth which is reasonable, good Timezone to give flexibility to the start time
2) Perth - surface has had issues but isn’t too bad, slightly bigger capacity than Adelaide, but sh*t Timezone (especially in october) limits how late the game can start to avoid possible heat problems.
3) Sydney - good Timezone and biggest capacity of the 3. But an abortion of a stadium, maintained specifically for rugby, which does not transfer well to football.

Perth average October maximum 22 degrees. Yeah,way too hot.

 

[blue harvest]

Depends which teams are looking good close to finals.
If Gold Coast, Brisbane, Giants are up near the top then I doubt they do it in Perth or Adelaide.

Whilst on the topic, the other night I saw McGowan on the news ranting about how Perth is the best and has a 'substantially' bigger stadium than Adelaide. Optus gets 59k in for finals, AO gets 53k, where does he get this substantially bigger crap from?

 

[BF Tiger]

I doubt the MCG will give up the GF to any mob that has proposed taking the Boxing Day test.

 

[The_Wookie]

id bet many dollars it doesnt move at all. Contract isnt crowd dependant.

 

[blue harvest]

id bet many dollars it doesnt move at all. Contract isnt crowd dependant.

But the whole idea of the contract is to get crowds in, MCC members in, people visiting Melbourne and generate a big positive iconic event to show off. If those things can't happen I think they'll happily hand it over for a year.

 

[Run n Spread]

Perth or Adelaide.Biggest stadiums with no restrictions. It has been 121 days since this kicked off with crowds banned etc. Minimum GF is 114 days away so impossible to know.

Andrews has really boxed Victoria into a croner thou. With the harshest restrictions yet the worsening of cases due to their inconsistency not to mention the mixed messages (eradication vs protect hospitals) and our end goal isn't clear at all.

 

[Pykie]

If the WA or SA state governments want to pay the MCC for it, probably the highest bidder. The MCC/Victorian Govt forked out a mountain of cash for the contract.

Otherwise it stays where it is.

As an MCC member essentially paying the premiums for the AFL GF contract, I'd hope that is the case.


The AFL can't just up and move it where they like without suitable compensation. They have a long term contract with Victoria and the MCC.

The MCC and Vic Government paid almost $6m per year of the contract for the game, as well as a $500m guarantee for stadium upgrades to Etihad and the MCG for a 39 year extension.


So that's roughly $20m as a starting bid for one of the WA or SA state Governments to offer up to the State Government of Victoria for the 2020 grand final.

People are commenting here as if the AFL even have the decision to make in this situation, they aren't going to breach an agreement which included a $300m+ upgrade to a clean AFL owned stadium asset like Etihad stadium, because they want some crowds in an already crowdless season.


Otherwise the WA and SA state governments can pay the $6m and the Vic Government witholds $14m in funding Etihad stadium upgrades, which essentially comes straight off the bottom line of the entire competition.

 

[The_Wookie]

But the whole idea of the contract is to get crowds in, MCC members in, people visiting Melbourne and generate a big positive iconic event to show off. If those things can't happen I think they'll happily hand it over for a year.

Whole idea of the contract for the Victorian Government is to promote Melbourne. Thats it. It doesnt require a crowd, although one would be nice.

 

[blue harvest]

Whole idea of the contract for the Victorian Government is to promote Melbourne. Thats it. It doesnt require a crowd, although one would be nice.

Not sure the Vic government will want a GF in an empty stadium, not really a great promotion, especially with the inevitable #vicco storm that would ensue, it would be an advertisement that Melbourne has failed. The promotion of Melbourne is about getting people there and generating economic activity.

The AFL will want a crowd and the MCC will want access for their members, if that can't happen then I don't think they would even bother arguing to play it at the G.

 

[Pykie]

Not sure the Vic government will want a GF in an empty stadium, not really a great promotion, especially with the inevitable #vicco storm that would ensue, it would be an advertisement that Melbourne has failed. The promotion of Melbourne is about getting people there and generating economic activity.

The AFL will want a crowd and the MCC will want access for their members, if that can't happen then I don't think they would even bother arguing to play it at the G.

You think the Vic Govt are going to throw $20m down the toilet and just hand it to WA and SA?

Keep dreaming.

 

[HTT]

Perth average October maximum 22 degrees. Yeah,way too hot.

Anywhere in late october is going to be a decent chance of nudging a 30 degree day.

 

[kranky al]

If the WA or SA state governments want to pay the MCC for it, probably the highest bidder. The MCC/Victorian Govt forked out a mountain of cash for the contract.

Otherwise it stays where it is.

As an MCC member essentially paying the premiums for the AFL GF contract, I'd hope that is the case.


The AFL can't just up and move it where they like without suitable compensation. They have a long term contract with Victoria and the MCC.

The MCC and Vic Government paid almost $6m per year of the contract for the game, as well as a $500m guarantee for stadium upgrades to Etihad and the MCG for a 39 year extension.


So that's roughly $20m as a starting bid for one of the WA or SA state Governments to offer up to the State Government of Victoria for the 2020 grand final.

People are commenting here as if the AFL even have the decision to make in this situation, they aren't going to breach an agreement which included a $300m+ upgrade to a clean AFL owned stadium asset like Etihad stadium, because they want some crowds in an already crowdless season.


Otherwise the WA and SA state governments can pay the $6m and the Vic Government witholds $14m in funding Etihad stadium upgrades, which essentially comes straight off the bottom line of the entire competition.

Hold up there a cotton pickin minute there son

The victorian government paid the afl - in return for a few billion worth of product - a few hundred mill of upgrades to victorian venues - that benefit victorian fans of multiple sports - soccer and rl and ru.

precedent has been set - id suggest the wa government should pay for upgrades to west Australian venues - of various sports - in return for the gf.

we will chuck in extra plane tickets and extra training on optus oval (and never deliver)

 

[blue harvest]

You think the Vic Govt are going to throw $20m down the toilet and just hand it to WA and SA?

Keep dreaming.

If there are no crowds allowed then I'll think they'll get on the front foot and accept having it somewhere else.

 

[Pykie]

Hold up there a cotton pickin minute there son

The victorian government paid the afl - in return for a few billion worth of product - a few hundred mill of upgrades to victorian venues - that benefit victorian fans of multiple sports - soccer and rl and ru.

precedent has been set - id suggest the wa government should pay for upgrades to west Australian venues - of various sports - in return for the gf.

we will chuck in extra plane tickets and extra training on optus oval (and never deliver)

The upgraded venues were AFL related stadia, nothing to do with Soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union.

With the bulk of the promised $500m going to the Etihad stadium refurbishment.


Last time I checked, there isn't an AFL owned stadium in WA and SA - with any government grants going straight into the AFL's pockets.


Why would the AFL leverage the AFL GF contract to benefit other sports?! The money was mainly for Etihad (i.e the AFL) with a portion for the next stage of the MCG.

 

[Billy ray]

Anywhere in late october is going to be a decent chance of nudging a 30 degree day.

same as melb really. Been a few hot day grand finals...

 

[HTT]

same as melb really. Been a few hot day grand finals...

A few of course - 2015 comes to mind. But that’s never an ideal situation and you’re going to get plenty more as you move later in the year. That’s true for all 4 most likely locations it may be held - not just Perth.

 

[blue harvest]

Hold up there a cotton pickin minute there son

The victorian government paid the afl - in return for a few billion worth of product - a few hundred mill of upgrades to victorian venues - that benefit victorian fans of multiple sports - soccer and rl and ru.

precedent has been set - id suggest the wa government should pay for upgrades to west Australian venues - of various sports - in return for the gf.

we will chuck in extra plane tickets and extra training on optus oval (and never deliver)

The upgrades to Marvel Stadium precinct and proposed MCG precinct upgrades benefit the whole AFL by making it financially stronger going forward, not just Victorians.

Extra training sessions were allocated. The AFL promised charter flights for GF teams and delivered, the subsidised flights for fans was an idea on here being thrown around, not an AFL promise.

 

[kranky al]

The upgraded venues were AFL related stadia, nothing to do with Soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union.

With the bulk of the promised $500m going to the Etihad stadium refurbishment.


Last time I checked, there isn't an AFL owned stadium in WA and SA - with any government grants going straight into the AFL's pockets.


The AFL grand final will stay in Victoria until 2057 and sporting facilities for women and in regional areas will be upgraded as part of a funding package worth almost $500 million.

Where the money's going:

• Princes Park will become the home of AFLW with a $20 million upgrade to facilities
• Docklands stadium and the MCG will be upgraded
• Up to $60 million of community sporting grants will be up for grabs
• Regional grounds will see more games of AFL
• Albert Park and Yarra Bend sporting precincts will get a $15.4 million upgrade

In a pre-budget announcement, Premier Daniel Andrews said $225 million would be spent on an upgrade of Melbourne's Docklands stadium to improve the ground for sports like soccer, rugby league and rugby union.

The funding will also go to improving women's changerooms in the stadium.

"It's an investment in the sports infrastructure that we need, the stadiums … that we need in order to stay number one," Mr Andrews told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"If you don't invest in those things then others pass you by.


Why would the AFL leverage the AFL GF contract to benefit other sports?! The money was mainly for Etihad (i.e the AFL) with a portion for the next stage of the MCG.

Look again then - the supposed custodian of the game for all australians got a bunch of upgrades for victorian fans of all sports - upgrades that governments (say like west australia) got without a gf.

<<<The AFL grand final will stay in Victoria until 2057 and sporting facilities for women and in regional areas will be upgraded as part of a funding package worth almost $500 million.

Where the money's going:

• Princes Park will become the home of AFLW with a $20 million upgrade to facilities
• Docklands stadium and the MCG will be upgraded
• Up to $60 million of community sporting grants will be up for grabs
• Regional grounds will see more games of AFL
• Albert Park and Yarra Bend sporting precincts will get a $15.4 million upgrade

In a pre-budget announcement, Premier Daniel Andrews said $225 million would be spent on an upgrade of Melbourne's Docklands stadium to improve the ground for sports like soccer, rugby league and rugby union.

The funding will also go to improving women's changerooms in the stadium.

"It's an investment in the sports infrastructure that we need, the stadiums … that we need in order to stay number one," Mr Andrews told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"If you don't invest in those things then others pass you by.>>>>

 

[Gordon Farkas]

The AFL can't just up and move it where they like without suitable compensation. They have a long term contract with Victoria and the MCC.

The MCC and Vic Government paid almost $6m per year of the contract for the game, as well as a $500m guarantee for stadium upgrades to Etihad and the MCG for a 39 year extension.


So that's roughly $20m as a starting bid for one of the WA or SA state Governments to offer up to the State Government of Victoria for the 2020 grand final.

Compensation on this basis won't be a factor this year if no crowds are allowed in Melbourne. If this happens, then the MCC and AFL would earn a great big round donut ($0.00) in revenue on Grand Final day, so there's nothing to compensate for. If there is any compensation to be paid, it would need to be based on what the parties (Vic Government, AFL, MCC) actually lose by not having it in Melbourne this year. It may be nothing in dollar terms.

Given that the AFL gets the revenue from ticket sales for the GF, it would actually profit more from having it outside Victoria than if no tickets could be sold for the game at the G.

Victoria (and Eddie) might sook about compensation for some intangible loss of state pride for losing the GF but then, on the other hand, to hold it at an empty stadium would make Victoria the laughing stock of the country if every other state can let crowds in (as is currently the case).

 

[kranky al]

The upgrades to Marvel Stadium precinct and proposed MCG precinct upgrades benefit the whole AFL by making it financially stronger going forward, not just Victorians.

Extra training sessions were allocated. The AFL promised charter flights for GF teams and delivered, the subsidised flights for fans was an idea on here being thrown around, not an AFL promise.

You are incorrect - gtg to work

 

[DaTBird187]

Ideally?
1) Adelaide - good surface, only 10k less capacity than Perth which is reasonable, good Timezone to give flexibility to the start time
2) Perth - surface has had issues but isn’t too bad, slightly bigger capacity than Adelaide, but sh*t Timezone (especially in october) limits how late the game can start to avoid possible heat problems.
3) Sydney - good Timezone and biggest capacity of the 3. But an abortion of a stadium, maintained specifically for rugby, which does not transfer well to football.

Good. This saves me from writing it.

 

[Pykie]

Look again then - the supposed custodian of the game for all australians got a bunch of upgrades for victorian fans of all sports - upgrades that governments (say like west australia) got without a gf.

<<<The AFL grand final will stay in Victoria until 2057 and sporting facilities for women and in regional areas will be upgraded as part of a funding package worth almost $500 million.

Where the money's going:

• Princes Park will become the home of AFLW with a $20 million upgrade to facilities
• Docklands stadium and the MCG will be upgraded
• Up to $60 million of community sporting grants will be up for grabs
• Regional grounds will see more games of AFL
• Albert Park and Yarra Bend sporting precincts will get a $15.4 million upgrade

In a pre-budget announcement, Premier Daniel Andrews said $225 million would be spent on an upgrade of Melbourne's Docklands stadium to improve the ground for sports like soccer, rugby league and rugby union.

The funding will also go to improving women's changerooms in the stadium.

"It's an investment in the sports infrastructure that we need, the stadiums … that we need in order to stay number one," Mr Andrews told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"If you don't invest in those things then others pass you by.>>>>

Yes and who exactly is the owner of this particular line item?

"$225 million would be spent on an upgrade of Melbourne's Docklands stadium to improve the ground for sports like soccer, rugby league and rugby union."


$225m will go straight into the capital assets of the AFL.

 

[Ok Boomer]

Either Perth or Adelaide would be good.

 

[DaTBird187]

Whole idea of the contract for the Victorian Government is to promote Melbourne. Thats it. It doesnt require a crowd, although one would be nice.

Holding the Grand Final in an empty stadium when there were three viable alternatives to have a showcase game with crowds wouldn't promote Melbourne as anything other than a city of arrogant jerks.