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he AFL and the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) have announced the AFL playing group will donate their 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final ‘non-competing player’ tickets to all local community clubs in Queensland.

The move will see two tickets go to each of the 159 local community clubs across Queensland, with the clubs able to reward anyone within the club, or even use the tickets to fundraise to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

AFLPA president, Patrick Dangerfield, said the decision was made to show the AFL’s gratitude to Queensland for hosting the majority of the 2020 season.

“The players are grateful for the incredible support shown to them by the Queensland community throughout the 2020 season,” Dangerfield said.

“To show our thanks, the players, through the AFL Players’ Association, are delighted to donate our Grand Final ticketing allocation to the 159 AFL community clubs in the state.

“It’s been tough for a lot of players to be away from home for so much of the year, but it’s been made easier thanks to the local fans who have brought their energy and voices to the matches each week to cheer us all on.

“The 2020 Grand Final being played in Queensland offers a terrific opportunity for supporters to experience the thrill of attending the Grand Final, and we know the tickets will go to deserving supporters who have done so much to grow our game in Queensland,” he said.

AFL chief executive, Gillon McLachlan, said: “on behalf of the AFL, I wanted to say thank you to the Queensland football community that has supported our AFL competition this season.”

“Footy in Queensland is going from strength to strength and it is testament to the passion of the players, coaches and volunteers who love their local clubs and the sense of belonging they provide to their local communities.

“We are hoping with this fantastic gesture from the collective AFL playing group that local Queensland clubs can show appreciation to their long-standing volunteers or even use the tickets to raise some funds in what has been a challenging year.

“Thank you to the players for this acknowledgement and donation, I know it is something that will be cherished by all the local clubs,” McLachlan said.