COMMENT
Saturday night at Ikon Park saw a crowd of 12,122 AFLW fans pack the stands to see North Melbourne cap off a flawless campaign by defeating the Brisbane Lions to secure their first premiership.
Tickets for the match sold out in just 24 hours – and it’s no surprise, as this was a historic moment. The atmosphere was electric, but one thing was clear: more fans would have been there if they had the chance.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
The AFLW has now completed nine seasons and ahead of the 10th season in 2025, there’s still a glaring issue: venue limitations.
Under the current system, the top-seeded team gets the right to host the grand final, which has often meant playing in smaller, less accessible venues. For example, if Adelaide had made the decider this year, it would have been held at Norwood Oval, with a modest capacity of just 5,000.
While Adelaide Oval hosted 53,034 fans for the 2019 AFLW grand final, that was in a different era – when the season ran earlier and allowed bigger venues to be utilised.
I asked several current AFLW players whether they’d prefer a fixed grand final venue or the current system. The answer was overwhelming: let’s play it at Marvel Stadium.
Former Brisbane Lions captain, Emma Zielke, summed it up perfectly: “Let’s lock in Marvel Stadium. It’s time to start our own tradition in the AFLW.”
So why should we make this bold move? Here are five reasons why locking in Marvel Stadium as the permanent venue would be a game-changer.
1. Bigger, better crowds
By making Marvel Stadium the of the grand final, interstate fans can plan their trips months in advance, just like they do for the men’s premiership decider. AFLW fans are passionate, and many support multiple teams – they would come to the grand final regardless of which teams are playing. Fans want the opportunity to be there, and booking early ensures more fans can attend, filling up the stadium for a spectacle that matches the moment.
2. Create a festival of footy
Imagine the AFL and other major stakeholders planning an entire week of activities and events leading up to the grand final. Marvel Stadium’s precinct could come alive with fan activations, live entertainment, and player appearances, similar to the build-up at the MCG. Picture the teams being presented to fans before the game, giving the two captains the ultimate psychological battle: who gets the last moment with the premiership cup? This creates excitement and draws fans into the experience – it’s more than just a game; it’s an event.
3. Better media coverage
Ikon Park’s small media boxes have often forced broadcasters to call the game from a studio in Melbourne, making it harder to capture the energy of the crowd. This is not an issue at Marvel Stadium, which has top-of-the-line facilities for broadcasting and media. Better media coverage means more eyeballs on the game, helping to grow the league and reach fans who might not have been able to attend.
4. Weatherproof football
The unpredictability of Melbourne weather can play havoc on outdoor games, as we saw in the lead up to Saturday night’s grand final. Rain or extreme heat could ruin the quality of the game – but a roofed Marvel Stadium ensures that the action stays fast and entertaining, no matter what the weather brings. Fans will stay dry, the players will be in perfect conditions, and the game will shine.
5. A night grand final that’s here to stay
The inaugural night grand final was an incredible success, with both clubs loving the atmosphere and energy it brought to the occasion. North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney even suggested that a night grand final could one day be part of the men’s competition. But the pre-game entertainment? Not so much. With a packed Marvel Stadium, the stage would be visible to everyone, and fans would have access to better food and beverage options, eliminating the issues we saw at Ikon Park.
After 10 seasons of hosting games at home venues, it’s time for the AFLW to create its own tradition. Let’s lock in Marvel Stadium well in advance for 2025, ensuring the biggest, most exciting grand final possible. By doing this, we can guarantee a massive crowd, boost media attention, and most importantly, give AFLW fans the experience they deserve.
It’s time to be bold, it’s time to take this game to the next level. Let’s make the AFLW grand final an unmissable event.
