McLachlan said the AFL and Victorian government were determined to have the match held in Melbourne but Victoria’s latest lockdown highlighted why contingencies were needed.
“I just want to be really clear;our view and our expectation is that we are playing the grand final at the MCG,” McLachlan said on his fortnightly appearance on 3AW.
“However,I reckon if you have seen this week,the fact that at 11am yesterday (Thursday) there was a press conference,they (Victorian government) were looking at (a lockdown),and by 4.30pm or something we were in lockdown,things can move very fast.
“It is with the blessing and the understanding of the Victorian government,we are chatting to all states we think it is possible to see if we went into a snap lockdown leading into a grand final,what are the contingencies we need to have in place.
“We are not just chatting to WA,we are chatting to all of the other venues that are relevant – respectfully,not NSW – to say:‘Listen,if we needed to at very short notice,ie days,how would the logistics work?’”
WA Premier Mark McGowan said on Friday he hoped the grand final remained at the MCG but his state was ready to step in,if required.