Australian Football League CEO Gillon McLachlan "is adamant the code will be played at the new Burswood stadium in Perth" in '18, according to the AAP. As negotiations continue with the state government, West Coast and Fremantle "want a better deal than what has transpired at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval." While Adelaide and Port Adelaide have regularly attracted crowds in excess of 40,000 in the past 18 months, they have not received the financial compensation they hoped, "thanks to a poorly constructed arrangement." The new Perth stadium "is expected to be ready for the 2018 AFL season and both the Eagles and Dockers are keen to ensure a deal is in place with the West Australian government that sees them adequately compensated." There "remains sticking points over what will open the 60,000-seat stadium, how much the clubs will receive for their home fixtures and who will run the venue." McLachlan "is confident the final deal is close and says the AFL will be contributing to the building costs." McLachlan: "I have not contemplated not playing at this fabulous new stadium in 2018. It’s an incredible asset for Perth and Western Australians, and I’m looking forward to playing football there" (AAP, 6/26).
