AFL boss explains why the league stuck with a bye before the grand final

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says the league was left with little choice but to stick with a bye before the grand final.

The league chief rejected claims the weekend off had killed momentum leading into the biggest game of the season.

Regardless, he told Neil Mitchell COVID-19 border restrictions and requirements meant the league had to give itself extra time between games.

“We just didn’t know where we were going to be coming out of, coming into the grand final,” McLachlan explained on 3AW.

“The Bulldogs are still in isolation – they won’t come out until Sunday.

“If it had been a Brisbane preliminary final, they would have been in quarantine right through until the day of the grand final.

“There is also just a lot to organise.”

McLachlan also gave a few clues about this year’s grand final entertainment, which he says will be formally announced at the weekend.

Press PLAY below to hear Gillon McLachlan explain