The AFL put it up for auction, after QLD and WA had forked out big to host GFs in the covid years, NSW and SA were the only bidders.
It may be a “neutral” round in that no one loses a home game, but it sucks for the teams that travel every second week as it means back to back away games (we are apparently playing in SA the week before and having a mini hub) not sure what the eagles, Swans, GWS, Lions or Gold Coast are doing.
No doubt the Vic teams will all get an “away” game in vic the week before or after so only have to fly to the special round.