MCG among stand-alone AFLW GF venues

The AFLW grand final will be held at either Adelaide Oval, the Gabba or the MCG as a stand-alone game given clear air from an AFL fixture.

The highest-ranked team on the AFLW ladder to qualify for the grand final will host the stand-alone game at 2pm AEST on Saturday, April 17, it was announced on Wednesday.

Minor premiers Adelaide play fourth-placed Melbourne in their preliminary final on Saturday while second-placed Brisbane will host third-placed Collingwood.

An MCG grand final is only possible if Collingwood and Melbourne both spring upsets in their respective preliminary finals.

To give the AFLW decider clear air, the league has pushed back that day’s AFL game between the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast from 1.45pm AEST to 4.35pm.

If the game is played at the MCG, the round five AFL match between Carlton and Port Adelaide that night will be pushed back from 7.25pm to 7.40pm AEST – with the AFLW crowd to disperse and the stadium to be cleaned before gates open for the men’s game.

If Brisbane host the game at the Gabba, the stadium would also be cleaned between the AFLW grand final and that night’s AFL game between the Lions and Essendon.