AFL's McLachlan commits to games at new Perth stadium

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan has committed the league to playing at the new Perth Stadium as talks over its use continue.

The AFL and the Western Australian Government have been locked in intense negotiations over access to the 60,000 seat Stadium after it opens in 2018.

There were reports the AFL was threatening to keep the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles in Subiaco, because of increased costs and charges at the $1.6 billion venue.

However, McLachlan dismissed the claims after emerging from negotiations with the Western Australian Government, stating "I have not contemplated not playing at this fabulous new stadium in 2018, it's going to be an incredible asset for Perth.

McLachlan said details of the arrangements were still being worked through, explaining "our job is to make sure that it's a fair deal for football, and ultimately, that'll be all user agreements - and we're looking forward to reaching agreement."

He would not commit to whether a $16 million per annum user charge would be acceptable but added "what we've got to get is the right financial deal for these football clubs just to make sure it's a fair deal, and a fair deal obviously represents the state's views and also the clubs' views.

"I don't know if that's days or weeks or months (away), but I think everyone feels it's going in the right direction."

McLachlan admitted the AFL wanted greater certainty over access to the stadium during its finals series in September.

He also confirmed the AFL would make a financial contribution to the cost of constructing the stadium, but would not say how much.

He concluded that the negotiations over the use of the stadium were not being influenced by a separate tender process aimed at appointing an organisation to operate the stadium, stating "there's an arms length process going to go on there and I don't really have any visibility on that, that's a process for the (Western Australian) Government.

"This deal will be resolved, hopefully, a long way before 2018."

23rd June 2015 - AFL AND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT IN STAND-OFF OVER PERTH STADIUM

17th June 2015 - WESTERN AUSTRALIA PREMIER URGES AFL TEAMS TO CO-LOCATE AT THE WACA

12th May 2015 - FOUR VENUE MANAGERS NAMED ON SHORTLIST TO OPERATE NEW PERTH STADIUM