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A capacity crowd and a prime-time TV spot — support grows for the AFL grand final to come to Perth

Headshot of Caitlyn Rintoul
Caitlyn RintoulThe West Australian
Eagles players celebrates the win during the 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between West Coast and Collingwood.
Camera IconEagles players celebrates the win during the 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between West Coast and Collingwood. Credit: Michael Dodge/AFL Media

If a capacity crowd at the nation’s premier sporting venue is not enough to entice AFL’s showcase event to Perth — the game’s long-desired east coast prime-time TV slot could be Optus Stadium’s best selling point.

Despite plans to move the grand final to Sydney, the AFL was looking more seriously at bringing the decider west, The Australian reported.

Playing in front of any crowd, let alone anything close to 100,000 at the MCG, appears highly unlikely, making the prospect of 60,000 in Perth more attractive for the AFL.

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Another incentive for the league is that it pockets the gate and hospitality revenues.

The Game AFL 2024

This season, the AFL has boosted a staggering 21 per cent increase in national TV ratings compared to 2019.

Playing the match at 3pm would have it broadcast into the Eastern States at 6pm because of daylight saving.

A petition by the West Australian to bring the grand final to Perth has attracted almost 7000 signatures.

Night games have ranked as the top five most-watched matches this season and TV ratings have increased 21 per cent this season. according to the AFL’s latest audience figures.

A three-hour time difference between east and west teamed with no evidence of community transmission in nine weeks, could propel Perth into top spot to hold the Grand Final on October 24 at Optus Stadium.

Thursday night “marquee matches” have averaged 1.2 million fans per game, 16 per cent ahead of 2019.

The full stadium during the 2018 AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium on September 22, 2018.
Camera IconThe full stadium during the 2018 AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium on September 22, 2018. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Round Two Collingwood and Richmond clash, which aired on a Thursday night, attracted a whopping 1.63 million viewers. It marked the highest ever Thursday night home-and-away audience.

Friday night audiences have also held their own, with a jump of nine per cent on last year’s figures, reaching an average of 1.1 million fans per game in 2020.

As announced by Premier Mark McGowan, WA is on track to allow 60,000 fans back into its state of the art venue from a tentative date of August 1, when all restrictions are lifted. July 18 had previously been slated for the eased restrictions before the Victoria outbreak caused national uncertainty.

The Premier, along with a host of footy legends, have called for WA to stage the event, a view also backed by The West Australian after launching a Change.org petition . The petition has since attracted almost 7000 signatures.

Fremantle and West Coast are expected to square off in a round seven western derby on July 18, as part of a 21-day rolling hub in Perth when teams will be allowed to play each other while serving their 14-day quarantine. A crowd of 30,000 will be able to attend the highly anticipated derby.

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