“We always base this on public health advice, the Chief Health Officer gave us advice that morning and I signed some directions within hours,” he said.
“We don’t want to arrive at that particular point, but we will not put a football match ahead of public safety.”
But Commissioner Dawson said he was reluctant to hypothesise on whether the AFL would opt to postpone or go crowd-less.
No special treatment for those ‘connected’ to AFL circles
The commissioner also confirmed strict border controls would apply to those hoping to travel to Perth for the game.
“I would think that it would be limited just those that can actually get the event underway,” he said.
“These things get telecast globally so we recognise that you do need high-end specialists.
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said there would be no preferential treatment given to people connected to AFL circles trying to enter the state.(
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“But we are very clearly communicating — no partners and spouses and things like that just because you’re connected, you must be part of the absolute essential side of it.”
But he said there was little chance such a measure would be introduced and legislated in time for a specific sporting event.
Perth fans on edge of seats for finals announcement
Perth football fan Wiki Tewhai said there was”an energy about” since the possible Perth grand final was announced.
“It will be fantastic, I hope we do get it, it’d be good for the community and give them a lift – we all need one,” he said.
Perth man, Wiki Tewhai, loves sport at Perth Stadium and often walks his dog Putea around the venue.(
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“I’d be very grateful if it did happen and the politicians can put aside their difference, I’m a football fan.
“We’re all trying to get tickets, anything that goes on in this joint – everybody wants to get in, I love the stadium.”
Local woman Pam Rathmann said some people would be against WA hosting the game but she was not.
“McGowan has been pretty strict, he hasn’t given them any ground — I think it would be safe, if it wasn’t safe I wouldn’t like it,” she said.
“I’d like to go because neither of my teams are there, so I’ve got nothing to be disappointed about.”
Tourism opportunity welcomed, but warning of workforce shortage
Tourism Council of WA chief executive Evan Hall said a grand final in Perth would deliver a much-needed short-term economic boost, with the game expected to deliver 30,000 hotel bookings.
Mr Hall said it would also provide an opportunity to showcase Perth as a sporting destination.
“Queensland has been positioning itself around Brisbane as the next sporting capital of Australia, but Perth is really going to meet the challenge,” he said.
“The stadium is a without a doubt our best asset, it’s a great venue, but our other best asset is the people of Perth who really love a great event.
“And they’re going to turn out in droves, even if it’s not their team, and that’s going to be the case for any major event in Perth, so it makes us a very attractive destination for any world-class sporting event.”
Perth Stadium opened in late 2017 and can accomodate a crowd of 60,000 people.(
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The Events Industry Association welcomed the possibility of the game being held in Perth and the related festivities that would come with it.
But chief executive Tim Kennedy warned the local events industry was suffering a major workforce shortage.
“The risk that we may lose events has been a real problem in terms of being able to maintain skilled events staff,” he said.
“Through the first half of this pandemic, we weren’t able to have any events go ahead so we lost a considerable number of people who were looking for a stable income.”
“But then this year the ever-present threat of lockdowns, which have cost us a lot of events, and that has meant a lot of people have left the industry or haven’t worked in it for a period of time.
“As exciting as it is, it is certainly a challenge to try and get people back for a massive one-off event.”
Mr Kennedy said he would like to see more government support for the industry.
