AFL grand final could be the highest rating of all time: Dillon hits back at V’landys

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has predicted the first grand final not to feature a Victorian club in almost two decades could be the highest rating of all time after Peter V’landys had earlier this week mocked claims the code would eventually usurp rugby league in Sydney.

Dillon, speaking in the lead-up to the Sydney Swans-Brisbane Lions decider at the MCG on Saturday, made the claim after V’landys hit back at suggestions the NRL was losing its grip on NSW and Queensland.

Tens of thousands of interstate fans are flocking to Melbourne this week for Saturday’s decider, the first since 2006 to feature two non-Victorian clubs.

Asked on Wednesday about V’landys’ denying rugby league would be usurped in the northern states, Dillon said: “I think that this will be one of the highest rating grand finals - if not the highest rating grand final we’ve had.

“The fact that we’ve got a team representative from New South Wales, a team representative from Queensland, also the historic links back to Victoria are really important.

“Our clubs in New South Wales and Queensland have had incredible results this year. Their crowds are up in both states over 10 per cent, memberships up over 10 per cent, viewership [is] up at record levels in New South Wales and Queensland.

“And pleasingly for us, and really important for us, is that our community participation in both states is also at record levels, and we’ll just continue to invest in community.

“We know that boys, girls and men and women who are involved in our game at a community level, are six or seven times more likely to become a fan or watch the game on TV – and that’s what our focus is.”

The NRL is celebrating a record-breaking year of television ratings, crowds and surpassing 200,000 registered participants for the first time .

Its own finals schedule has been influenced by the AFL playoffs being a week ahead of the NRL, dodging a clash with the GWS Giants at Sydney Olympic Park and then not topping 20,000 fans for the Sharks-Cowboys match at Allianz Stadium last Friday night while the Swans’ preliminary final was sold out at the adjacent SCG.

The Storm will play their grand final qualifier against the Roosters at AAMI Park on Friday night – avoiding a showdown with the AFL showpiece the following day.

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