Perth Is on Standby to Host the 2021 AFL Grand Final

But only if the MCG can’t.

The worst kept secret is now official: Perth will host the 2021 AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium… but only if the game can’t be played at the MCG.

I know, it’s a little confusing, so let’s break it down.

Perth will host the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final, if the MCG cannot hold the event in front of crowds.

— AFL (@AFL) August 25, 2021

On Wednesday, AFL chief executive Gil McLachlan confirmed that little ol’ Perth is officially on standby to host the big dance, should Victoria—and Melbourne in particular—fail to get their latest COVID outbreak under control.

With 80 new COVID-19 cases confirmed for Victoria today, it's unlikely that Victoria would take the risk of having 100,000 fans at the MCG for the game, but stranger things have happened.

Of course, the VFL—oops sorry, they’re not the Victorian Football League anymore, silly me—the AFL and McLachlan wanted to stress that the Grand Final would only be played in Perth if there was no feasible way to have the MCG host.

“I’m optimistic that early next week we’ll be in a position with the Victorian Government, they can clearly speak for themselves, but if we’re unable to play at the MCG, the Grand Final will be at Optus Stadium,” McLachlan said in a press conference.

Thanks to the WA government for letting us hand Perth's official #AFL grand final pitch. #dogs pic.twitter.com/02eBWADRcu

— Josh Garlepp (@JoshGarlepp) August 18, 2021

Melbournites just can’t handle the AFL Grand Final being in another state, can they? (Soz, I'm just a bitter West Aussie.)

Regardless, we reckon it’s a done deal that Perth will host the AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium this year.

The fact that Western Australia is currently under no lockdown, has zero community cases of COVID, and boasts the newest stadium in Australia with a crowd capacity of 60,000 probably made choosing Perth an easy decision for the AFL.

The AFL has just confirmed that Perth will host the 2021 AFL Grand Final if Melbourne is unable to due to its COVID situation.

While this is exciting for WA footy fans, it is very sad for our friends in Victoria who could miss out on hosting the Grand Final at the MCG yet again.

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) August 25, 2021

Tweeting about the news, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said the state would do the AFL proud hosting the Final here.

“As a footy state, the scale of an AFL Grand Final is not lost on us,” McGowan tweeted.

“If it comes here, we will do it justice.”

As a footy State, the scale of an AFL Grand Final is not lost on us. If it comes here, we will do it justice.

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) August 25, 2021

Onya Daddy Mark! (Can you tell I’m a Perth boy?).

The AFL Grand Final will take place on Saturday 25 September and is free to watch on Channel 7 or stream live on 7plus.

Header Image: Optus Stadium