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Perth Stadium in contention to host 2018 AFL Grand Final

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***UPDATE***

Although we wish this were true, we have to come clean and say 'fake news': the 2018 AFL Grand Final will not be at Perth's new stadium. Happy April Fools from the team at WAtoday! Still, makes you wonder... 

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Karl Langdon praises AFL's April 1st move to host Grand Final in Perth

Eagles legend Karl Langdon says moves to play the AFL Grand Final at Perth's new stadium are long overdue.

The AFL has dropped a bombshell announcing it's in talks to play the 2018 Grand Final at the new Perth Stadium instead of the MCG, which will be out of action for overdue renovations next September.

The move to host the big dance in the west will be only the second time in the AFL's history that the Grand Final has been played away from the MCG - the 1991 match was played at Waverley Park.

It comes after long speculation about the AFL's future at the new ground at Burswood, with both the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers still in negotiations to play there.

WAtoday understands this unprecedented move by the AFL has sealed the deal for both teams, and could even lead to the establishment of a third AFL team in the west.

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Artist's impression of Perth Stadium

Artist's impression of Perth Stadium Photo: Supplied

Eagles legend Karl Langdon said the development is very exciting for WA footy fans.

"It's about time the AFL Grand Final was played here in Western Australia," Langdon said.

"It's great to see the stadium in Burswood is actually going to house the 2018 Grand Final on the back of maintenance at the MCG. Bring it on."

The April 1 announcement of a possible Perth Grand Final in 2018 was delivered in a statement from the AFL on Saturday morning.

'We are very excited by this move to make a bold change to the AFL's biggest day, steeped in tradition, but not rooted to the past.

'Football is Australia's national game - and we have been focussed on Victoria for too long. With the potential success of a Perth Grand Final, we hope to host future grand final fixtures around the country, including Tasmania, Darwin and Bonny Doon."

A number of AFL clubs are outraged by the move and at least three Victorian-based teams are threatening to boycott the league. 

Speaking to WAtoday, footy fans interviewed on the streets of Perth praised the move, which could also see the return of both Angry Anderson and Meat Loaf to the coveted half-time entertainment slot, with local heroes Slim Jim and the Fats in the frame to play a supporting role.

"It's about time, they have been taking us for fools," said Freo fan Brent Scott. "The MCG is Melbourne's living room but the new Perth Stadium can be Australia's backyard. Take that Qantas!"

Another fan, who did not want to be identified, said the possibility of a West Coast and Fremantle Grand Final in Perth is more than any WA footy fan could ever hope for.

"Imagine the after party at the Crown - it'd go off like a bucket of prawns in the sun. Mate, it's going to be lit."

Meat Loaf has been itching to have another crack after his botched performance in 2011.

Meat Loaf blamed a hemorrhaging vocal cord on his disastrous performance and reports have been swirling for years he had been chasing redemption.

More to come...