A-League: Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan urges Melbourne City to accept grand final venue decision

Melbourne City should just be grateful for the chance to take part in the A-League grand final rather than complain about potentially losing hosting rights for Saturday night’s decider.

That’s the opinion of Sydney FC star Luke Brattan, who will have little sympathy for his former club if the grand final is played outside of Melbourne due to Covid-19 complications.

Sydney will meet City in the decider for the second successive year after both sides won their weekend semi-finals over Adelaide United and Macarthur FC respectively.

Both games were played at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium due to Covid-19 implications, with A-League officials deciding to move the City-Macarthur FC match from Melbourne to Sydney despite City still wanting to host the match at an empty AAMI Park.

Premier’s Plate winners City – who were furious with having to play the semi-final in Sydney – have again earnt hosting rights to the grand final, but a decision on where the game will be played isn’t expected until Tuesday at the earliest.

A-League officials will lobby the Victorian government to allow the final to be played in front of a restricted crowd at AAMI Park.

It’s understood a crowd restricted to 30 per cent of AAMI Park’s 29,500 capacity is being considered.

Other options are to play the match in regional Victoria, Sydney or neutrally in another state.

Brattan said City deserved to host the final but in a “Covid world” should not complain if the match was played elsewhere.

“If we get to host it here, there’s going to be a lot of people unhappy,” the Sky Blues midfielder said.

“We’re preparing like it’s going to be in Melbourne. Hopefully, for them it’s in Melbourne, but it’s a Covid world now, so the government’s going to do what’s best for them not an A-League team.

“It’d be a bit harsh on them (City) but we’re not bothered where it is. If it’s NSW, if it’s Melbourne, if it’s anywhere, we’ll play anyone, anywhere, any time.

“There’s more important things in life than football. Health is the main thing, so no matter where it is, everyone should just be happy that we’re able to play in front of fans.

“People are still playing sport around the world in front of no fans.”

In a stellar senior career that started at Brisbane Roar, 31-year-old Brattan has been part of four A-League championship-winning squads and played in three grand finals.

“It’s huge. Some people go through their careers not winning a trophy,” he said.

“It’s pretty incredible. I’m blessed to be part of such a special group here.”

Brattan was optimistic that star Sydney playmaker Milos Ninkovic would be fit for the decider after missing the 2-1 semi-final win over Adelaide with a calf strain.

“He’s got a big chance to play and he wants to play as well. He’ll do everything right to make himself available,” Brattan said.