FFA CEO David Gallop has all but ruled out hosting a Melbourne grand final outside the state saying AAMI Park is the preferred venue should the decider be hosted by a Victorian club.
FFA had wanted to host a Melbourne Grand Final at a bigger venue than AAMI Park, such as the 55,000 capacity Etihad Stadium, which has hosted three grand finals to date.
But with the AFL scheduling games at Etihad and an inability to rearrange for the May 17 Finals Series decider, there was speculation a home grand final may’ve been taken away from the southern capital.
But FFA appear set on using the smaller AAMI Park venue this year, which has a capacity of around 26,000, should it be a Victorian team in the season decider.
“I think that’s ultimately where we’ll land this year,” Gallop told reporters on Friday when quizzed about AAMI Park as a grand final venue.
“It’s highly unlikely we’d move the game away from Melbourne.
“We’re definitely planning to play the game at AAMI should that [a home Melbourne Grand Final] eventuate.”
The trade-off on this deal is a longer-term agreement over the Docklands venue for future Melbourne grand finals.
“We’re making positive progress towards a resolution of that in future years which would see us get access to Etihad,” he added.
Victory are set to win the Premier’s Plate this weekend ahead of the Finals Series next week.