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New 60,000 Perth stadium could be empty for start of 2018 AFL season

Brendan Foster
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The new 60-000 seat stadium at Burswood could be empty for the start of the 2018 AFL after talks between the WA Football Commission and the Barnett government stalled.

The WAFC knocked back a compensation deal from the state government worth around $100 million, which would see the commission hand over its 74-year lease at Domain Stadium.

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Perth Stadium coloured with lights

WA sports lovers will be illuminated by an "unparallelled" lighting system at the new Perth Stadium.

It's understood the WAFC wanted $11 million a year over 10 years and financial help from the Liberals to move its headquarters from Domain Stadium to the WACA.

With the WAFC talks on hold, any new stadium deals between West Coast and Fremantle, the Barnett government and stadium operator Venues Live are also on the backburner.

It's highly unlikely the Eagles and Dockers would not play at the new $1.2 billion stadium in 2018 given the financial windfall for the two clubs, but West Coast has threatened in the past to stay at Domain Stadium unless a suitable deal was reached.

The Eagles did not want to be dragged into the current football furore between the WAFC and the Barnett government, other than to say it was making progress with its deal to move to the new stadium.

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A spokesman for the Dockers said the AFL had the final say where clubs played.

West Coast chairman Alan Cransberg said in September the club would prefer to play at the 60,000 seat stadium at Burswood but would not do it any cost.

"If we go to the stadium under the current deal proposed, we'd have to jack up membership fees, we'd have to jack up corporate fees, and we don't think that's the right thing to do by our members and supporters," he said.

"We won't sign off on any deal that doesn't give us the long-term viability and the financial stability we've had."

WAFC CEO Gavin Taylor said no deals had been rejected or accepted by the commission at this stage.

"The negotiations are still live... we are working in good faith with the state government to work through the balance of items that are relevant to our negotiations to achieve an outcome for football," he told the Mornings program on Radio 6PR on Wednesday.

"I think football recognises the investment the state has made to this wonderful new asset that is the Perth Stadium. There are separate deals that are been done between the AFL clubs user's agreement and our future baseline funding model.

"That also relates to our future accommodation and where the footy commission and all of its staff and its programs and activities will be held."

Mr Taylor said WA taxpayers should not have to foot the bill to keep WAFL and grassroots football alive after already "reaching into their pockets" for the new stadium.

"This deal isn't about getting taxpayers to unconditionally fund football in WA," he said.

"Our negotiations are centred around developing a model where money derived from AFL clubs through their deal at the stadium provides a direct revenue source back to grassroots football in WA.

"We are looking for a model that ensures football remains financially independent and secure and we will look to do that without the taxpayers having to reach into their pockets to fund any differences or any outstanding amounts."

Premier Colin Barnett said he expected the Eagles and the Dockers to play at the new stadium in 2018.

"Eagles and Dockers games will be at the Perth Stadium but it is the AFL who determine the venue, not the WA Football Commission," he told reporters on Wednesday morning. 

"The $10 million figure is a fair figure in my view. 

"We have basically resolved all the issues around the stadium... this is one remaining one, but we have still got a year to go so it will be resolved."

Eagles and Dockers games will be at the Perth Stadium but it is the AFL who determine the venue, not the WA Football Commission. 

Mr Taylor said the WAFC was keen to become co-tenants at the WACA with WA cricket.

"The WACA is our preferred location... the state indicated a while ago the co-location of the two codes of cricket and football would be well received, so we have a significant amount of work looking at a co-location project and that does remain our preferred future accommodation and our future," he said.

Sports Minister Mia Davies has been contacted for comment.

Ms Davies said in the past she couldn't see a future where the Dockers and Eagles wouldn't be playing at the new stadium.

"I'm sure all of their members and fans are looking forward to that occurring," she said.