The AFL is reportedly committing an extra $50,000 to non-Victorian clubs who play in this year's grand final, with Sydney already locking up one spot in the decider.
The extra funds are to help cover costs associated with an extended stay in Melbourne, given the AFL Grand Final is played at the MCG.
The league's move to assist travelling clubs is in response to Brisbane coach Chris Fagan's letter to the competition's headquarters last year, which outlaid the significant differences he found as part of the Lions versus his time at both Hawthorn and Melbourne, according to SEN's Sam Edmund.
Fagan also requested that interstate clubs "have access to as many as three training sessions at the MCG during Grand Final week, which has been rejected," Edmund said.
"Stringent turf management early in the week and a near all-day Katy Perry rehearsal on Thursday means Sydney – and Brisbane or Geelong – will be restricted to a customary Friday captain's run on the ground.
"Among many recommendations, Fagan argued for the AFL to cover the costs associated with a full week stay in Melbourne if a non-Victorian team chose to arrive earlier than they normally would.
"The Lions coach also campaigned for the AFL to cover travel and accommodation costs for the partners and children of players and staff, a cost not incurred by Victorian clubs.
"The AFL Commission has agreed to contribute around $100,000 to any non-Victorian sides in this year's Grand Final, up from $50,000 last year.
"It's understood it last year cost the Lions around $160,000 to get their staff set up in Melbourne for the Grand Final."
The money provided by the AFL isn't directly aimed at funding travel expenses, but it's understood that the distribution is at the club's discretion.
Fagan said he sent the letter to let the league know the stark differences.
“I sent that on behalf of all interstate clubs because I just wanted the AFL to understand more clearly what it's like when you go through Grand Final week,” Fagan said, according to SEN.
“I hadn't experienced that myself. All my Grand Finals had been with Hawthorn or Melbourne. When you're in Melbourne, it's just turn up and play, right? It's a little bit different when you're an interstate club.
“I just wanted to point some of those things out, and they've taken a lot of those things on board. There'll be some changes in the process this year if we're good enough to get there.”
The Lions will look to lock up a date with Sydney in next week's decider when they face Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night.
