Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she plans to seriously negotiate for this year’s AFL grand final to be held in the Sunshine State.

It comes after yesterday’s announcement that the majority of the remaining AFL season would be based in Queensland, with the league asking for more teams and officials to be based there in the coming months.

Speaking on ABC News Breakfast, Palaszczuk said “it was only fair” Queensland be considered to host the major annual sporting event.

“If we are doing the heavy-lifting we would like to be considered for a grand final — I think that’s only fair,” Palaszczuk said.

“But, of course, it’s going to depend on what’s happening in the other states during that time and we will enter those negotiations seriously.

“We firmly believe that Queensland could host it here.”

Palaszczuk said she’s “very confident” in the state’s ability to host Victorian teams and manage coronavirus infection rates.

“We have an industry plan with the AFL and most Victorian teams aren’t in Victoria at the moment,” she said.

“We’re very confident and we’re putting in place all the measures too in case there is an outbreak in Queensland.”

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said he’s open to the possibility of having premiership fixtures in north Queensland while Victorian teams base themselves in the Sunshine State for up to 10 weeks to avoid COVID-19.

Thuringowa Bulldogs Football Club president Anthony Burke said Townsville has the facilities, including the Riverway Stadium.

“They played a game here last year and the response we’ve had from the AFL clubs has been outstanding in terms of wanting to come back,” he said.

“It would be nice to think someone in the AFL is making Townsville some sort of priority.

“The economic off-spin that we have is people playing our game, becoming members of our clubs,” Burke said.

Burke said having more AFL activity in Townsville could encourage more locals to join the code.

Mayor Jenny Hill said she will be pushing for Townsville to host teams and games.

Former Victorian premier and president of the Hawthorn football club, Jeff Kennett said while there’s an air-tight contract in place for the grand final to be played at the MCG, that could change if spectators aren’t able to attend the match.

“If we are still unable to assemble for a game of football, being the grand final, I think you’d find the powers that be would relieve the AFL so they could play the competition elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, the Sunshine Coast has also expressed interest in hosting more players and games.

Both the AFL’s St Kilda team and the NRL’s Melbourne Storm have relocated to Noosa in an effort to escape the unfolding coronavirus outbreak in Victoria.

Visit Sunshine Coast boss Craig Davidson said the region would benefit if more staff and players come to stay.

“I’d love to see a number of teams based up here. I’m sure other regions are thinking the same thing,” he said.

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