Sydney could host an AFLW Gather Round. What about Marvel on grand final eve?

September 25, 2026 — 5:00am

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Imagine if the AFL threw open the gates to Marvel Stadium today and played some back-to-back women’s games, starting straight after the grand final parade.

It’s grand final eve, a public holiday, school holidays, and tens of thousands of footy supporters will be swarming the city. With no Melbourne-based teams in the decider, they will be desperate for something to fill the void before Kylie kicks off the entertainment at the MCG.

You may not have realised, but there are, in fact, four AFLW games scheduled for Friday. The problem is they are being staged at three different locations that are tricky to get to – from Windy Hill in the northern suburbs to Whitten Oval in the west, and a double header at Ikon Park in the evening.

Laura Kane, the AFLW executive general manager, has been quietly working behind the scenes on talks for an AFLW Gather Round-type event in Sydney for Pride Round next year. It’s a brilliant idea, based on the roaring success of the men’s Gather Round in........

© Brisbane Times