There is a very real possibility the 2020 AFL Grand Final could be played away from the MCG according to the CEO of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).
Stuart Fox believes that with the possibility of the season being pushed into October or even November, the Grand Final could clash with the ICC T20 Men's World Cup at the end of the year.
If this is the case, it means the MCG would more than likely be unable to host any AFL matches at that time, including any finals matches.
The AFL has already confirmed the season will be shortened to 17 matches per team, but has not yet stated when the season would end due to the fluid nature of dealing with the coronavirus.
MORE: AFL coronavirus: Local and junior competitions postponed along with state leagues
Speaking on SEN, Fox said that while there is some room to move the final a bit later in the year, they are restricted by the World Cup.
“There’s certainly a possibility we could push into the first two weeks of October,” Fox told SEN’s Gerard Whateley.
“After that, it becomes very challenging because we have a contract in place with the ICC and cricket is bringing a World Cup to Australia and we need to think about how significant that is to Australia, to the economy and to viewership around the world.
“It’s highly unlikely that event will be disrupted and we need to respect that so I think possibly the first two weeks of October, knowing that if you use the second week of October you need 14 days to get pitches in and it takes the good part of four days to get the six or seven pitches in and then it takes 10 days from there to prep the pitch.
“Our first World Cup game is on the 25th of October and that does present challenges and I know (AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan) has said we could play until Christmas and maybe we could play here in late November or December, but cricket is obviously the priority at that time of year as well.”
It means that the AFL would have to look elsewhere to find a venue to host the AFL Grand Final, an event which regularly draws crowds of nearly 100,000 people.
While no other ground in Australia holds that many people, suggestions have been made that Marvel Stadium at Docklands could host the match.
Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium in Perth are the only other grounds in Australia that hold more than 50,000 people and would be suited to an AFL match, but those grounds are also likely to be affected by the T20 World Cup.
The MCG signed a deal in 2018 to hold the Grand Final until 2057, but Fox says the MCC is flexible on that arrangement this year considering the unprecedented nature of the coronavirus.
"I just think common sense has to prevail here," Fox said.
“If we pushed our legal responsibilities and obligations to the letter of the law, I think we are all going to go broke.
“If we all take a hit and we wear it together as an industry we can get through it.
“At the moment Gillon wants the Grand Final [held at the MCG].
"We want the Grand Final here and so does the government and we know it’s the best venue to host the Grand Final and it is tradition.
“Obviously we want it, but there’s got to be some common sense.
“I’m not saying we want to lose the Grand Final.
"The finals series is really important to us and it is to the AFL so I do think it is going to be important that we are measured, we are sensible and we work together because there are so many bigger issues in sport alone and our industry.”
Fox also said the MCG is still preparing for the AFL season to get underway between Carlton and Richmond on Thursday.
