Sportsbet takes aim at AFL’s grand final dilemma
Sportsbet has made fun of all Australian states and territories as the betting brand explores where the AFL grand final may be hosted in October, and encourages consumers to make bets on the outcome.
The grand final is traditionally held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but the conversation to shift the event to another state began when Melbourne’s second wave of COVID-19 cases took hold. The AFL has a contract with the Victorian Government to host the grand final at the MCG until 2057. To move the final, the Victorian Government must provide permission to break the agreement, which is it yet to do.
Sportsbet released a video over the weekend, imagining the Zoom interviews between the AFL and the states and territories to host the grand final. Representing Tasmania is former Richmond player, Matthew ‘Richo’ Richardson, whose pitch for his home state is quickly shot down.
Sportsbet’s Richard Hummerston said: “Spare a thought for Richo, he’s been campaigning for Tassie for years, and even in these unprecedented times, they still can’t get a look in.”
Venues rumoured to host the grand final include Brisbane’s the Gabba, Optus Stadium in Perth and Adelaide Oval in South Australia, however the AFL has not committed to moving the final away from Victoria. At the time of writing, the Gabba is Sportsbet’s favourite to win, with odds of $1.75. The MCG is currently sitting on $6.
The video went live on Sportsbet’s social channels on Friday afternoon and appeared during Fox Sport’s AFL 360, Fox Sports News and Seven’s AFL coverage over the weekend.
The video was created by Sportsbet’s in-house creative and production team.
