Football Federation Australia Dreams Of All-Sydney A-League Grand Final

Football Federation Australia "is preparing for a possible all Sydney A-League grand final, booking out ANZ Stadium to host the potential blockbuster on May 4," according to Michael Chammas of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The FFA "has pencilled in ANZ Stadium to host the grand final if the Western Sydney Wanderers (second) meet Sydney FC (fourth) in the decider, but also haven't ruled out a switch to the Olympic venue if the Wanderers were to host a team from outside Sydney." The success of the local derby, which attracted a sellout crowd of 40,388 at Allianz Stadium in round three this season, "has prompted the FFA to seek a larger venue in case the two teams meet in the finals." A move to ANZ Stadium "would likely draw a crowd of 80,000, which would surpass the record of 55,436 for the largest domestic football crowd in Australia," which was set at Etihad Stadium for the Melbourne Victory-Adelaide United grand final in '07 (SMH, 12/10).