By Bren O'Brien
The Victorian Government has assured the racing industry that the AFL Grand Final will not clash with either the G1 Caulfield Cup or Australia's richest race, The Everest, despite confirmation it is likely to take place on the same weekend.
Like all sports, the AFL, one of Australia's biggest sporting codes, has had to endure difficulty in scheduling its matches around COVID-19 related disruptions and with the season delayed, there was always a significant chance it could end up staging the Grand Final during the Spring Carnival.
After initial plans that it would be held on the same weekend as the G1 Victoria Derby, it was confirmed on Wednesday that the AFL now intends to stage its Grand Final on, or around October 17. That could present a potential clash not only for broader public attention, but also for the free-to-air broadcaster of both the Caulfield Cup and The Everest, the Seven Network.
But Victorian Sports and Racing Minister Martin Pakula has indicated that the AFL would look to avoid a direct clash with the feature race meetings and either stage the Grand Final at night for the first-ever time, or possibly stage it on the Sunday.
Martin Pakula
“I did speak to Gillon (McLachlan - AFL CEO) this morning once I saw that (date for the AFL GF) and reobtained the commitment from him that they definitely won’t go head-to-head with one of our major race days whether it’s the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate or otherwise,” Pakula told RSN.
“If it happens to be on that day, the AFL will work around racing. Whether that means putting it on at night or indeed possibly on the Sunday.
“But the Caulfield Cup will get clear air, as it should and it won’t be head-to-head with the Grand Final during the day time.”
The possibility of a clash is an interesting dilemma for the Melbourne Racing Club, which pioneered a revamped Spring Carnival schedule, which would have seen the Caulfield Cup staged in late November.
However, that revamped approach was spurned by Racing Victoria, a decision which led to considerable fallout.
Josh Blanksby
Melbourne Racing Club CEO Josh Blanksby said his club would proceed with its plans for its feature event on October 17, regardless of what the AFL does.
"We'll play the cards we're dealt with - we were always going to be up against a Final of some sort. If the Grand Final is played on October 17, we see plenty of opportunities and we'll make the most of them," he said.
The timing of the AFL Grand Final will have considerably less concerns for The Everest, with the exception of a possible broadcasting clash on the day.
The timing of the National Rugby League Grand Final is also not a concern as it is usually held on a Sunday evening, with the likelihood that will be held in late October this year.
Racing NSW also has the added advantage that its CEO, Peter V'landys, is also the Chairman of the NRL.
