AFL urged to trial twilight Grand Final in 2017

THE league’s power clubs are urging the AFL Commission to be bold and tick off a historic twilight Grand Final next year. Tell us what you think

The AFL has been urged to trial a twilight Grand Final. Picture: Jason Edwards

THE league’s power clubs are urging the AFL Commission to be bold and tick off a historic twilight Grand Final next year.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said the league remained open to a move to a later start, with a decision expected before Round 1.

The AFL Commission needs only one vote to shift to a twilight Grand Final for it to be rubber-stamped given the governing body was split down the middle in March this year.

Geelong, Sydney and Carlton added to the strong voices of Collingwood and Port Adelaide urging the AFL to trial a twilight Grand Final.

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Bring on twilight grand final it would be fabulous trust me for the entertainment under lights it has to be @taylorswift13 at the MCG. Kb

— Kevin Bartlett (@KevinBartlett29) October 27, 2016

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook told the Herald Sun any initiative that would help the AFL market itself across the nation was worth a trial.

“I have got a personal view that it would work. We need to think about this from a wider perspective. The broadcast figures would be unbelievable,’’ he said.

“Remember only 100,000 people can be there to actually watch it. We can get 4 million people watching on television so I think it gives greater balance and greater attention would be given to the broadcast.”

Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham said the Swans would have been happy to play in a twilight Grand Final this year.

“Twilight footy is fantastic. If the Grand Final was twilight it wouldn’t faze us,’’ he said.

“We would prefer that to a night Grand Final but we have absolutely no issue with it. A twilight Grand Final still allow you to celebrate at a reasonable hour and allows kids to watch.”

And Carlton chief executive Steven Trigg said it would significantly enhance the spectacle of the AFL Grand Final.

“We would love to be there one day, but I personally and we as a club favour a twilight Grand Final,’’ he said.

“It is the best fit for a whole range of things. It gives a greater build-up on the day, there is the spectacle of it being at least partially under lights and there is still time to engage with fans and celebrate.

“Personally I have thought for some time it is the ideal outcome.”

They joined Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and Port Adelaide chairman David Koch, who this year told the AFL to be brave.

McLachlan said although the Grand Final was slated for 2.30pm there was plenty of time for the Commission to change that timeslot.

A 4.30pm game would allow halftime entertainment under lights and still provide clubs enough time for a late premiership function.

The league has already broken new ground with the 2017 fixture, slotting in eight Thursday night games and a Good Friday encounter between North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

McLachlan said the time of the Grand Final was up for grabs.

“We haven’t again made a definitive statement. Until a decision is made everything is theoretically possible.

“We just haven’t had a proper considered process to change it. We will talk to clubs, stakeholders and have time to consider it properly.”

Channel Seven would love a twilight Grand Final but has no rights under its deal to demand it from the league, while Fox Footy covers the pre-match, half time and aftermath but not the actual game itself.

McGuire said recently the game would not only help spread the AFL nationally but make it the best spectacle it could be.

“If we want to do entertainment, particularly on a budget, you need all the tricks of showbiz and there is no better way than using darkness, lights and smoke,” McGuire said.

“It doesn’t have to be in the dead of night, just not in the blaze of sunshine.”

Originally published as AFL urged to trial twilight Grand Final in 2017