ADELAIDE is playing for hosting rights of the inaugural AFLW Grand Final after Melbourne lost its stranglehold on football’s premiership deciders.

The stakes have been raised this season after AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan dropped the bombshell that the MCG would not be the permanent home of the AFLW grand final.

Unbeaten Adelaide is considered among the premiership favourites after the Crows knocked over the highly-fancied Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

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There had been an assumption the AFLW Grand Final would be in Melbourne regardless of the contestants but McLachlan said there was no contractual obligations to play the game at either the MCG or Etihad Stadium and the match would be played in the home state of the top-placed side.

The AFLW Grand Final is scheduled for March 25 which coincides with Round 1 of the AFL men’s competition.

There are no games scheduled that afternoon meaning the women could take centre stage at either Adelaide Oval or Thebarton Oval if the Crows win the right to host the game.

media_camera Chelsea Randall jumps on Sarah Perkins. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

There are no lead-up finals in the women’s competition with 1st and 2nd playing off for the inaugural title.

This week, Adelaide captain Chelsea Randall praised Thebarton Oval for its “intimate, family atmosphere”.

“Big stadiums will come but first we need to establish the game as something that has long-term appeal where all are welcome,” Randall wrote in her column for The Advertiser.

McLachlan this week explained the team that finishes on top will host the grand final.

“We have deliberately left the decision open. The whole Saturday afternoon is open which gives us great flexibility,” he said.

“I can say definitively, if Brisbane or Fremantle or Adelaide finish top, the grand final will be in that state.’’

media_camera Erin Phillips tries to spin out of an Elle Blackburn tackle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The only grand final of the AFL era held outside Victoria occurred when Adelaide hosted the Port Adelaide v Brisbane pre-season decider in 2004.

McLachlan paid tribute to the long-term investment in women’s football in Queensland for the early success of the Lions.

“They have a good team, they are well coached and well organised,’’ he said.

“There has been significant investment in women’s football for some time in Queensland and they are very strong.’’