Duff and Quarters: Cash grab of Optus Stadium grand final may be too huge for AFL to ignore

Western Australia’s hopes for a historic Perth grand final have gained momentum over the last week with communication between the AFL and the WA government putting a dent in Queensland’s pursuit of footy’s biggest day.

On this week’s episode of The Duff and Quarters Podcast, The West Australian’s chief footy writer Mark Duffield and The Sunday Times’ sports editor Glen Quartermain believe the financial incentive of a packed Optus Stadium may prove too great for the league to ignore.

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The coronavirus outbreak in Victoria has forced the AFL to consider alternative GF options to the MCG and while Premier Mark McGowan has copped criticism interstate for his strong stance on WA’s hard border, Duffield believes the current dialogue has been far more productive.

“Things have thawed a little bit in recent days or weeks,” he explained.

“There’s a bit of a silly stand-off between the WA government and the AFL where they don’t seem to talk a lot.

“I mean have a chat to each other, Gil McLachlan give Mark McGowan a call and say on October 24, if we were to hold a grand final on that day, what are our chances of getting a crowd of 60,000 if nothing changes.

“Even with 30,000, you’re looking at a $15 million game. I don’t see you getting a $15 million game out of the Gabba unless some money is just slapped on the table by the Queensland government.

“Which would be an interesting ploy for the Queensland government to make considering they are a rugby league town.

For this week’s mailbag, Duff and Quarters want to know your favourite play from the 2020 season.

Was it a glamorous goal from your favourite footy star or some WA magic like what we saw between West Coast’s Josh Kennedy and Nic Naitanui in the clutch against Geelong.

Send us your favourite moment from 2020 so far on the field and feature in this week’s MAILBAG.

Send your mailbags through to josh.garlepp@wanews.com.au and remember to like, review and subscribe