With Etihad Stadium unavailable for the season-decider – should Victory win its semi-final and qualify – sports, government and tourism officials north of the border have been quick to seize the initiative, especially if Sydney FC comes through the other half of the finals series draw.

It is understood that ANZ Stadium – the Homebush venue for the Olympic Games 15 years ago – with the backing of the NSW Events Corporation (Destination NSW) are set to make an offer to stage the game should Victory win the right to host it but no suitable venue be available in Victoria.

ANZ's offer would be dependent on Sydney winning through to face Victory, but the fact that such a deal could be tabled, and that Football Federation Australia is prepared to listen just a month before the grand final is due to be played on May 17, illustrates how acute the situation has become.

To make it happen Victory first has to win its semi-final against an as-yet unknown opponent, one of the teams which will finish between third and sixth place on the ladder.

The FFA had hoped to persuade the AFL to shift the Bulldogs v Dockers game set for May 17 at Etihad to Geelong's Kardinia Park which, it is believed, was keen to facilitate the move.

But the AFL insists that its schedule and broadcast arrangements have been set in stone for months and no such transfer is possible.

The FFA has spoken regularly to the state government about the issue, but the politicians were waiting to see how the situation developed and whether Victory would nail top spot on the ladder – which gives it a much greater chance of hosting the championship decider – before considering their next move. Victory all but did so by beating Brisbane on Saturday night.

AAMI Park remains the alternative if Victory qualifies to host the game and it is to be kept in Melbourne.

But its capacity of just under 30,000 is not much more than half that of Etihad's 54,000, which would mean that many supporters would miss out.

Victory has 24,200 members, of whom 22,100 are fully season ticketed, which means they would have a right to buy a grand final ticket.

That wouldn't leave much space for other members, neutrals, away fans and members of the "football family" (such as volunteers and assistants) whom the FFA historically reward with grand final tickets. And then space has to be found for sponsors and corporate supporters of either club and the FFA.

If AAMI does become the venue perhaps the FFA and the state government should work together to try to create a Festival of Football on May 17 using nearby Gosch's Paddock, Victory's training ground.

Ideas to create a giant FIFA-World Cup style Fan Fest have been floated, with soccer clinics, pop-up bars and food stalls plus giant screens showing the game.

The winning team could be brought out of the stadium as soon as the trophy has been presented and introduced to the Fan-Fest crowd on a giant stage,with an outdoor party being staged afterwards.

It's believed discussions will continue this week with FFA officials talking to the state government.

The revenue difference for the FFA between playing the game in front of a full house at Etihad or at AAMI is estimated at around $1 million.

ANZ, should it host the match, would be a "neutral" venue. Sydney FC play at Allianz Stadium, near the heart of the CBD.

ANZ officials would anticipate a bumper crowd of 70,000 for a Victory v Sydney Grand Final while the NSW government would expect a major economic impact from a huge influx of Victorian visitors.