AFL grand final venue to be announced next week
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has confirmed for the first time that the venue for the 2020 AFL grand final will be announced next week.
Speculation on the venue for the game has been continuous since the coronavirus pandemic spiked in Victoria in recent months.
Last year's AFL grand final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Credit:Justin McManus
The Age reported on Wednesday that Queensland had established an expert panel to drive its bid for the game, the first time it will ever be held outside of Victoria.
Western Australia also remains keen for the game at Optus Stadium.
McLachlan told 3AW on Friday that discussions were ongoing. The MCG has a contract for the grand final until 2057.
“It [the decision] will be next week,” he said. “We have been pretty consistent [saying we will be] waiting until the end of August.
“Wherever we land will be in concert with them [the Victorian government].
“It is increasingly looking challenging in Victoria … and we are having conversations with others.”
He said it was likely the Brownlow Medal would follow the grand final interstate.
“Not certain but likely … we haven’t made a decision but probably likely they go hand in glove [the Brownlow Medal count to happen where grand final is].”
After criticism of the punishment handed down on Thursday to Port Adelaide's Peter Ladhams and Dan Houston for breaching COVID-19 protocols, McLachlan said each pandemic breach was assessed on its merits, and that league protocols were holding up well.
Ladhams was suspended for three games and Houston two. The club was fined $50,000, half of which is suspended.
The pair had a gathering at Ladhams' house on August 3. They are free to train with their team but not play.
"Everyone is assessed on its merits," McLachlan said. "The facts or the circumstance matter so there is difference in all the breaches we have had.
"There is no risk in this situation [for the players to train because it happened weeks ago and they’ve been tested].
"Yes [it was a wilful breach] … it is unacceptable. It is hard to get your head around but we need to continue to hold people accountable. The vast majority are abiding. We are going well so far and we are not complacent about it.
"There’s always risk. The protocols are holding up. You’ve got to be tight on this."
McLachlan also voiced his dissatisfaction with the fact that West Coast's Willie Rioli is still waiting for a conclusion to his case with the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority, after he tested positive for cannabis almost one year ago.
"Yeah, I find the timing and the delays really challenging here," he said.
"I have been in trouble for it before, ASADA are our partner we get on well but I have said to them … the timing is very challenging for individuals involved.
"We have got to work hard to improve on.
"ASADA perform and excellent role but I do think we have got to do a better job than this."