"Forfeit" future Grand Finals: Reality of MCG reno

The beloved MCG may have to force its hand in the coming years, delegating Grand Finals to interstate hosts due to planned redevelopments.

The Victorian Government and MCC will contribute the funds for a feasibility report to upgrade the 100,024-capacity stadium with a new Shane Warne Stand which will allow an extra 5,000 patrons to attend events.

The works could cost in excess of $1 billion, but are a necessity to accommodate demand.

“We’re really happy the MCC and the Victorian Government have put the money in for the feasibility for the revamp of the Shane Warne stand,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon told Gerard Whateley on SEN.

“It was built in 1992, it’s served its purpose, but the MCG is such an iconic venue we have to continue to invest in it.

“We will work closely with the MCC on that. We’re really looking forward to how it unfolds.”

Coy on whether the AFL would back a stage-by-stage approach to any upgrades or take the plunge and get it done in one go, Dillon concedes that the Grand Final would have to move in order to keep the MCG a global icon.

“I want to know more about it (a knock-down rebuild plan) but I think that makes the most sense. I’ve spoken to the MCC about it; do you do it in small increments over time or just pull the pin? And that is what this feasibility report is about.

“Ultimately it’s going to be a stand that will be around for the long term. I think we have to look at that (the Grand Final being played elsewhere).

“We did Perth and Brisbane for different reasons during Covid and they worked really well but there is something special about the ‘G. But we have to make sure the ‘G remains the preeminent stadium worldwide.

“Given the weekend we just had, we could have sold it out a couple of times over. If we can get another 5,000 or so in that will be great.”

Speaking on the planned upgrades, CEO of MCC Stuart Foxx has admitted that while he holds out hope that the stadium will continue to host Grand Finals throughout the rebuilding process, they are aware that forfeiting their rights to host remains on the cards.

“I would hope (the MCG can host),” Foxx told AFL Nation.

“I saw Dills’ comments, he said that they may have to put the Grand Final into other states.

“I think our priority is that if our stadium reduced below 70 thousand during any infrastructure build, then we would have to forfeit the Grand Final.

“There may be ways about that, and I think Dills’ comments are warranted because you may bae able to build the stand quicker by moving content, or you may build it slower by not building content, and there may be cost penalties associated with all of that.

“I can see why he would have said that, but that’s part of the work; to think through how long it would take to build, and the implications of the building whilst there’s important content to be delivered for the stage.”

The redevelopments are unlikely to commence until the turn of the decade.