West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson joins push for WA decider as QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stumbles

Adam Simpson has thrown his support behind a campaign to bring the AFL grand final to Perth, saying it would be “great for everyone” to have the game played in front of a big WA crowd. Speaking on 7NEWS tonight, the West Coast coach said playing Sunday’s derby in front of more than 26,000 WA footy fans was a “privilege” and that bringing the biggest game of the season to State would have massive benefits. “I think it would be great for the State and great for everyone to have the grand final played in WA,” Simpson said. “As a Western Australian it feels like that’s the place to be. It’s a selfish point of view but I can see how much benefit it has for the State having footy played here. “To be honest we were just rapt to play in front of a crowd on the weekend albeit there was only 100 West Coast supporters. “It felt like it was a bit of a privilege to play in front of a crowd — bring on the crowds.” The AFL is yet to announce where this season’s grand final will be played but with Melbourne forced back into lockdown after a new wave of COVID-19 cases, prospects of it being hosted at its traditional home of the MCG appear slim. The West Australian has launched a petition calling for the AFL grand final to be played in Perth and has so far collected more than 11,400 signatures in support. SIGN THE PETITION TO BRING THE GF TO OPTUS HERE! NRL State Queensland has also expressed interest in hosting the grand final despite Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, being caught out not knowing who last season’s AFL premiers were when asked at a press conference this week. “That’s just ridiculous ... honestly ... I tell you one thing, I hope the Brisbane Lions win this year,” Ms Palaszczuk said in response to a reporter’s question. Simpson’s support for a Perth grand final came as West Coast chairman Russell Gibbs and Fremantle chairman Dale Alcock will tell Channel 7’s Flashpoint program they also wanted to see the game come west if it could not be held at the MCG. The WA footy heavyweights urged Premier Mark McGowan to take over leadership of the campaign for Perth to host the game, and even bid on the rights to host it if needed, because of the huge economic benefits it would bring the State. “Until anything changes the AFL grand final is ... at the MCG but I certainly would support that this would be a sensational event to be able to bring to WA,” Mr Alcock will say. “It would be massive because this is a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put Perth and WA on the international map.” Mr Gibbs said WA was a passionate AFL State and would have no trouble selling out Optus Stadium’s 60,000 seats, adding: “If we are to have a grand final outside of Victoria it has to be in WA. “That is where we are going to get the support and be the spectacle the game deserves.”