AFL and cricket tug-of-war takes sour turn as ‘galling’ cash grab lights fuse

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas says he won’t be bowing to a “galling” request from the Adelaide Crows for a financial incentive to allow the Sheffield Shield final to be played at the Adelaide Oval between two AFL games.

The SA government, Cricket Australia and the AFL are working towards wedging the final in between Port Adelaide’s season-opening match at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, March 22 and the Crows game at the same venue the following Sunday.

The drop-in pitches used during the season have already been removed from the venue ahead of the Crows’ first AFL home game on March 16 against St Kilda, but could be put in for a Monday to Friday clash and then removed with minimal impact.

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One key concern is about player safety, as the outfield grass will need to be cut back for the Shield final, but it won’t grow back enough in a few days up to the AFL’s usual standard to help cushion players who are tackled.

Meanwhile The Advertiser reports the AFL wants compensation if a player is seriously injured following the change-over.

There are also concerns that if it rains on Saturday after a full five-day Shield match, the ground staff would not be able to change the surface back in time for the Crows-Kangaroos game.

Notably Adelaide and North Melbourne play each other again this season, in Round 24 in Melbourne, but there do not appear to have been discussions about switching the games.

South Australia will play the Sheffield Shield final in Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Malinauskas has made it a priority for SA, which last won the Shield in 1996 and has already secured the home final, to play the game at Adelaide Oval.

But on Wednesday he revealed a “request” for cash and hoped that it “doesn’t get in the way” of the plan coming together.

“We have received a request, it’s not from cricket, I won’t say what entity it is in footy,” he told 5AA in Adelaide before intimating it was from the Crows.

“What I would say is we are asking for people to act rationally and pragmatically in the interest of fans.

“The South Australian government has already shown an awful lot of support to both footy clubs locally, particular the Adelaide footy club.

“I’ve got to say it’s a little bit galling that people are trying to use an opportunity to look after fans as an opportunity to slug the taxpayer and I won’t be having it.

“Just handing over cash is not something that I’ll be doing. I hope this doesn’t get in the way of it.

“I’m not naming any names, I’m just saying my government is not going to be giving cash so they get out of the way of something everybody thinks should happen.”

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas wants the Shield final at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Brett Hartwig Source: News Corp Australia

Earlier this week, SA coach Ryan Harris said the plan was “gaining momentum”, while AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the league was happy to look at it.

“Like we do with other sports where we have a scheduling clash, we’re fortunate to play in the best stadiums in Australia across all of our capital cities and we know those stadiums get built and operate because they are multi-sport,” Dillon said

“If it can be accommodated within our schedule, we absolutely would look at that.”

South Australia will get Test star Alex Carey back for the final, with their opponent to be decided in the final round of matches.

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