Perth grand final not certain but WA working on strict guidelines

WA Premier Mark McGowan has denied that Perth has clinched the AFL grand final but says his government is working on “very strict guidelines” and discussions were continuing with the league.

As the hope of Victoria hosting finals before crowds took another blow on Monday, with Premier Daniel Andrews extending Melbourne’s lockdown, McGowan said it would also be a “wise” call for the AFL to have all players vaccinated ahead of any matches being held in Perth.

There is also the prospect the entire finals series could be held outside of Victoria, for the AFL wants matches to be played in front of crowds.

The 2021 AFL grand final, like last year, is most likely to be hosted interstate. Credit:Getty Images

AFL clubs have been told the pre-finals bye has been scrapped, with the week off to be a floating option through the finals. It could be used before the preliminary final or even the grand final, depending on border and quarantine issues for clubs.

The bye had been introduced in 2016 after controversies and integrity issues in previous seasons over the resting of players in the final round of the home-and-away season.

At this point, the grand final will still go ahead on Saturday, September 25, and not be brought forward a week.

When asked specifically about reports his state had clinched the grand final, McGowan said: “That hasn’t been achieved at this point in time but, obviously, we’re working with the AFL on very strict guidelines around all these issues, and I don’t think the AFL has made that decision yet.”

McGowan also said interstate players would not be able to bring their partners and families with them to WA.

“As we said, our intention is that those sorts of groups wouldn’t be permitted to join players coming in, it would be a very strict and tight regime,” he said.

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