The AFLW grand final won’t be moved to Docklands Stadium despite the showpiece between North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions quickly selling out.
Key points:
- Around 13,000 fans will be at the AFLW grand final at Princes Park
- Docklands Stadium is free for use this weekend, but the league has opted against a late change
- North Melbourne will play their first AFLW grand final, while this will be Brisbane’s fifth
The league has confirmed tickets for the first AFLW decider to be played in Victoria since 2018 had been snapped up less than three hours after going on sale to the general public on Monday.
The venue for Sunday’s grand final, Princes Park, previously had a capacity of 30,000, but recent redevelopments to Carlton’s headquarters have significantly reduced that.
The premiership will be decided in front of a crowd of about 13,000, rather than at the 53,343-capacity Docklands Stadium.
North won hosting rights after defeating minor premiers Adelaide in last Sunday’s thrilling preliminary final.
The AFL confirmed the potential showpiece venues before last weekend’s two preliminary finals, with Princes Park, Springfield Central Stadium in Brisbane, or Norwood Oval in Adelaide the options.
“The AFLW Grand Final hosting venues were agreed to with our clubs prior to the start of the season,” an AFL spokesperson said.
“(Princes) Park on Sunday will deliver a great atmosphere, hopefully in front of 13,000 fans.
“(Docklands) Stadium is not available this weekend due to hosting other major events in recent weeks and the turf is presently not suitable for any games.
“On Friday, a small number of tickets will be released for Sunday’s GF and hopefully they are all snapped up by fans.”
The AFL-owned Docklands Stadium has recently held big concerts, and a World Supercross championship event.
Canadian musician The Weeknd was meant to be playing at the Docklands venue this Friday, Saturday and Monday night but his shows have been postponed, meaning Docklands Stadium is technically available on Sunday.
The next event there is due to be the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat on December 21.
The Kangaroos are in their first AFLW grand final, while the Lions will attempt to win their second premiership in their fifth appearance in a decider.
Brisbane went down to the Western Bulldogs in the most recent grand final at Princes Park, back in 2018.
The Lions lost to Melbourne in last year’s decider at their Springfield home base.
AAP
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
