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Voss blasts AFL over NAB Cup final venue

By AAP .
10 March 2013 05:43AM EST

BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss blasted the AFL over the decision to the play the NAB Cup grand final in Melbourne.

The league decided to hold Friday night's NAB Cup final between the Lions and Carlton at Etihad Stadium, rather than Metricon Stadium, because of the likely crowd.

The Gabba is unavailable next weekend because of cricket.

Brisbane are the only unbeaten team after three rounds of the NAB Cup and qualified for the final on Saturday night with a 34-point win over Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.

Voss said the AFL had lost an opportunity to grow the game against Queensland's dominant rugby league code.

"That leaves me quite angry, because I've been up there for 20-plus years," he said.

"The captain has made the call, so we move on, but I just think we've lost a terrific opportunity.

"We're trying to grow our own supporter base.

"Any opportunity you get to do that, why wouldn't we be doing that? I don't understand."

Voss also wondered aloud whether the match would be in Melbourne if it was expansion team Gold Coast, rather than Brisbane, who had made the final.

He added the Lions were happy to play away and cater for their strong Melbourne supporter base.

But he noted the NRL season is now underway and the AFL's two Queensland teams were away this weekend.

"Clearly, it's not acceptable," he said of the final being held in Melbourne.

But the league is adamant Etihad Stadium will feature a bigger crowd.

"The largest possible crowd would be drawn at Etihad Stadium ahead of any potential game at Metricon Stadium," the AFL said in a statement.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was stunned when told the final would be in Melbourne.

"Where is it?," he asked in amazement.

"Vossy has every reason to be disappointed."

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