David King believes the AFL’s decision to shift all Victorian clubs to Queensland for the remainder of the season means Brisbane are now “nominal favourites” for the 2020 premiership.
Due to the uncertain situation around COVID-19 in Victoria and New South Wales, the AFL announced on Wednesday players would have to spend up to 10 weeks away from home to complete the season.
Queensland clubs Brisbane and the Gold Coast are unlikely to leave their home state after Round 8 and King said it now means the Lions deserve to be premiership favourites.
“We used to talk about you had to win at the MCG, that was the toughest ask for interstate-based teams,” he said on Fox Footy's AFL 360.
“They had to come to the MCG, they had to go through Chicago, we term it that every year.
“You have to win the big game at the MCG. That may not be the case this year, it may be at the Gabba. They don’t lose (there), I think they’ve won 14 of the past 15 home and away games at the Gabba.
“They lost a close game in the finals last year and Richmond and Dusty got hold of them in the other game. They’ve had that finals experience, they want for nothing on their list.
“They’ve got the best, most in-form midfielder in Lachie Neale, their key back in Harris Andrews that is conquering all and this forward line is getting better every week.
“I don’t think the Brisbane Lions should be the odds they are, I think they should be the nominal favourites right now.
“If the season is to go through and a finals series to go through the Gabba, this is their time.”
Brisbane will face GWS Giants in Sydney on Saturday while the Suns will face off against the Swans at the SCG later the same day.