Anzac Day SANFL grand final rematch might be played at Adelaide Oval on Friday night

THE SANFL’s traditional grand final rematch may be at Adelaide Oval on the Friday night before Anzac Day next year.

THE SANFL’s traditional grand final rematch may be at Adelaide Oval on the Friday night before Anzac Day next year.

The league is in discussions with the Stadium Management Authority about having Norwood play Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on April 24 – the eve of the Power’s Saturday night clash with Hawthorn at the city ground.

A SANFL spokesman said the league’s preference before the AFL released its 2015 fixture last week had been for a Saturday afternoon game at Adelaide Oval.

But he said it was now considering all options, including Saturday afternoon at The Parade.

That would pit the game against a TV broadcast of the Collingwood-Essendon blockbuster at the MCG, as has been the case in recent seasons.

“We (could) go back to Norwood Oval on the 25th, a Saturday afternoon, and have your traditional Anzac Day afternoon match,” the spokesman said.

“Or an option is to play on the Friday night at Adelaide Oval, the 24th, away from the traditional Anzac Day game.”

The spokesman said Adelaide Oval management had “given an early indication” to the league they would be able to turn the ground around in time for the AFL match the following night.

In September, Port Adelaide hosted Richmond in an elimination final at Adelaide Oval a day after a SANFL ­finals double-header at the venue.

“They don’t see (getting the ground ready) as an issue but they want to explore that a little bit further before committing to anything,” the spokesman said.

Redlegs chief executive Geoff Baynes said his club preferred a Friday night game but was not too concerned whether it was at Adelaide Oval or The Parade.

“We think it’s possible to get 8000 out here on a Friday night if it’s decent weather, particularly against Port Adelaide,” Baynes said.

“Having it at our home ground is an advantage for us.”

Port Adelaide chief operating officer Stephen Dawes favoured a Friday night game.

“It’s a fantastic occasion on the SANFL calendar, Norwood’s our biggest rival and our fans love the rivalry,” Dawes said.

“For us probably Friday night works better because fans won’t have to double up on two games.

“If it was a Friday night game at Adelaide Oval, it’d be fantastic ... but I’m sure Norwood would do equally as good a job of it.”

The SANFL is expected to release its 2015 fixture next month.