Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Kangaroos hold hope for future AFLW grand final shift

The AFLW has opted against shifting this year's grand final to Marvel Stadium, a venue it owns. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

North Melbourne premiership coach Darren Crocker isn't convinced the AFLW grand final would draw a large enough crowd to justify being played at Marvel Stadium at this stage.

The Kangaroos will face the Brisbane Lions in the season decider for a third straight year at a sold-out Ikon Park on Saturday night.

A crowd of about 12,500 is expected, similar to that drawn by the two sides in the previous two seasons.

It comes amid ongoing calls for Melbourne-based AFLW grand finals to be played at AFL-owned Marvel Stadium, which has a capacity of more than 53,000.

"We love playing here to a packed stadium and we get great support here," Crocker said at Ikon Park on Friday.

"When the game can actually justify filling a Marvel Stadium, I think that's the time to move it.

"I'm not too sure whether that's right now, but I know the players would love to play at Marvel one day, when the game can sustain filling that.

"And I'm sure as coaches we'd love to coach there.

"But whether we could sell that out at this stage, I'm not too sure."

League boss Emma Moore said earlier this month the AFLW grand final will only be moved to Marvel Stadium when she is confident the game would sell out.

Jasmine Garner of the Kangaroos
Jasmine Garner says players would love to be playing the AFLW grand final at Marvel Stadium. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

A record AFLW crowd of more than 53,000 attended the 2019 grand final at Adelaide Oval.

But the league, now in its 10th season, has endured fluctuating attendances and television ratings in recent years.

North Melbourne superstar Jasmine Garner hopes the AFLW can build to a point where the decider warrants being played at Marvel Stadium.

"We would all love to play at Marvel. Watching the men's (games) on TV, it's just a great stadium," Garner said.

"But at the same time I know we'll get a lot of North supporters here tomorrow night.

"For the time being, we love playing here, but hopefully one day we can pack out Marvel as well."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.