This morning the Townsville City Council advised AFL Queensland they will not honour our existing booking to host finals at Riverway Stadium as they have accepted a subsequent booking to host cricket at the venue and have cancelled our booking to allow for pitch preparation.
This is most disappointing for players and fans who will be denied the opportunity to showcase our final series at the city’s premier AFL venue considering our regular and long term use of the facility.
Compounding the issue, is the lack of suitable lighting at any other community facility across Townsville, so we will need to fixture accordingly to make sure all games are played under natural light.
On this matter, AFL continues to lobby Council and the State Government for funding to support the installation of lights at grounds across the region.
Indications from Council are that Riverway will continue to be available for the remainder of the home and away season.
Over the coming weeks AFL Queensland will determine all finals venues and communicate those accordingly.
We appreciate this situation isn’t ideal nor in the best interests of participants and the game, however we would ask that clubs recognise that it is a circumstance out of our control.
We will be writing to the Mayor direct regarding this matter and rest assured we will present a great Finals series.
