Why today was a "magnificent day" for footy in Queensland

Today can only be described as a magnificent day for AFL football in Queensland, for football along with cricket will be the main beneficiaries of the announcement today of the new Olympic Stadium to be built in the shadows of the Brisbane City complex.

It could have gone a couple of other ways that would have been a total disaster.

The refurbishment of the Gabba would have been diabolical for the Brisbane Lions and for cricket, as they would have been dislocated from their tribal home for up to three or four years and ended up with a refurbed reno of a broken-down old house.

The temporary accommodation would have been VFL-like at best and nothing befitting the juggernaut that the Lions have become in Queensland.

John Coates, no friend of the AFL, well, he was up to his old tricks 12 or 18 months ago trying to get an upgrade to the old Athletic Centre that was never going to fly because cricket and football combined are such a powerful force near on 52 weeks of the year.

And it puts all other uses for the stadium, including the Olympics, into the shade.

So, despite the backflip from Premier Crisafulli, he has arrived at the only logical decision possible, a legacy stadium.

It will transform Brisbane like the Adelaide Oval has done in Adelaide and Optus Stadium in Perth.

They are both vibrant additions to both capital cities, transformational facilities that combine with Australia's two most popular sports make the cities come alive.

So, while the Olympics will come and go and hopefully be as significant, as magnificent and memorable as the 2000 Olympics were in Sydney, this stadium, unlike the Olympic Stadium at Homebush, will have a lasting impact on the very fabric of Brisbane itself.

A great decision for the Olympics, a better decision for football, AFL style and cricket.

Listen to Gerard's editorial below