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AFLW yet to lock in venue for grand final

The AFL has announced its support for a yes vote in the voice to parliament referendum.

The AFL has announced its support for a yes vote in the voice to parliament referendum. Photo: AAP

Brisbane’s minor premiership has created a potential grand final fixturing dilemma for the AFLW.

The Lions secured top spot by just one point in a riveting final round of games last weekend.

Melbourne belted West Coast by 78 points, and had the Demons kicked one more point in the rout, they would have snatched the minor premiership from the Lions.

Instead, the AFLW have been left with a possible headache should Brisbane reach the grand final.

The highest-ranked AFLW team has grand-final hosting rights.

But the Lions have to play Saturday’s qualifying final at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast because the Gabba is being used for cricket and unavailable.

Metricon is already booked for non-football events around the November 26-27 grand final weekend, while the Lions’ new Springfield facility appears unlikely to be ready in time.

A Sheffield Shield game is scheduled for the Gabba from December 1.

Speaking at Monday’s finals launch, AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone said the grand final hosting rights “does mean there’s a bit of last-minute planning”.

“We won’t make any announcements around (the) grand final right now,” she said.

“Because we still need to wait to see who’s going to make the grand final.

“We’ll continue to work with all stakeholders. We have a great relationship with cricket, so we’ll continue to talk to cricket and also talk to the Queensland government (about the Gabba).

“But I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We need to make sure that Brisbane are going to be the hosts.”

Injured Lions player Zimmie Farquharson said finals venues are no issue for them.

‘It definitely doesn’t bother the team. It’s not in our control,” she said.

“It’s anywhere, any time. Wherever you put us, we’re there to play.

“We’re not really concerned about where we kick a football, we’re there to play footy.”

Ikon Park and Marvel Stadium are the two options if a Melbourne team qualifies to host the grand final.

“We have two obvious candidates if it is a Melbourne grand final – again, I don’t want to disrespect (Brisbane),” Livingstone said.

Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs captain Ellie Blackburn has confirmed she will be ready for Sunday’s elimination final against Collingwood.

Blackburn was heroic in Friday night’s win over Carlton. She kicked the match-winning goal, with coach Nathan Burke later revealing one of the AFLW’s best players almost was forced out of the game because of a health problem.

“I’m perfectly fine, there are no issues,” Blackburn said.

North Melbourne hope to welcome back captain Emma Kearney and ruck Kim Rennie for Saturday night’s qualifying final against Geelong.

Erika O’Shea is in doubt after she had a hit to her eye in Sunday’s draw against Richmond.

-AAP

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