An Adelaide Oval Sheffield Shield final wedged between two AFL games at the same venue is “gaining momentum” according to Redbacks coach Ryan Harris after his team secured a shot at a first title since 1996.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has put the matter on his radar with the potential for a single drop-in pitch to be put in place for the match, which could be played from Monday, Monday March 24, a more forward of two days from the scheduled start date.
The drop-in pitches used during the season have already been removed from the venue ahead of the Adelaide Crows’ first AFL home game on March 16. Port Adelaide opens its season at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, March 22.
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The pitch, prepared beforehand, would have to be put in, and taken out, between that clash and the Crows’ next home game on Sunday, March 30.
South Australia secured hosting rights for the final on Sunday by taking down Victoria and with time in place now to get a plan, and Adelaide Oval officials confident the pitch could come in and out in that timeframe, Harris is hopeful of it happening.
“We’re in now. I think that was part of the step,” Harris told ESPNcricinfo.
“I’ve left that up to the people above me, but it’s gaining momentum, I believe.
“I think there are a few small bridges to cross coming into this week, but I think now that the fact that it’s been confirmed that we’re in Adelaide, I guess we’ll hear over the next couple of days what goes on there.
“But I mean we want to play there. We love it there. It might be a little bit different. The outfield might be a little bit slower, but when we play early games in September, October, it’s generally quite slow anyway, so I don’t think it’s going to be a lot different.
“But ultimately if we can get out there, it’d be great. But obviously, we understand as well the agreement football have. But as far as I know, the conversations have been really positive so we’ll wait and see over the next couple of days.”
There hasn’t been a Shield final at Adelaide Oval since 1996, the last time the Redbacks tasted victory.
Last week, AFL boss Andrew Dillon said he would be happy to “look at” the possibility.
“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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