NORTH Melbourne and West Coast have been in contact about relocating their Round 18 game from Queensland to Perth.
The Kangaroos are due to “host” the Eagles at the Gabba or Metricon Stadium for what would be their final home game to finish the shortened home-and-away season.
But West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett recently contacted North counterpart Ben Amarfio with the proposal to shift the match to Optus Stadium. The Kangaroos are also keen for the match to be moved.
The two clubs at either end of the ladder have different motivations for moving this game to Perth.
West Coast sits a game off top spot with five games to come against Richmond, Essendon, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and North Melbourne.
The Eagles are gunning for a home final – if permitted – while a pre-finals bye would allow a visiting team in week one of the finals to serve its quarantine in Perth before that final and then immediately fly back out.
North Melbourne, having lost more than $2 million in revenue due to the lack of games in Hobart, could reap as much as $700,000 by selling the game, despite the WA Government only allowing 50 per cent capacity.
The proposal is with the AFL, who is yet to make a decision.
Other finals-bound clubs would almost certainly rail against the plan, but the Eagles and North scoff at the argument the relocation would compromise integrity in a season where Brisbane have only played two games outside their home state since Round 1.
The Eagles don’t want to move the match to get home ground advantage on North Melbourne. Given the drastically differing fortunes of both sides this season, the Eagles will beat the Kangaroos regardless of where they play.
West Coast are 7-0 in Perth this season, but went 2-3 in a Queensland hub they were openly unhappy with.
The Eagles are yet to lose a final at Optus Stadium, which remains a chance to host the Grand Final in October.