Daniel Ricciardo says AFL should hold a night Grand Final

HAVING competed under lights at Singapore’s Grand Prix, Aussie Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo has urged the AFL to stage a historic night Grand Final to spice up the premiership decider.

AUSSIE Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo has urged the AFL to stage a historic night Grand Final under lights to spice up the premiership decider at the MCG.

The Red Bull racing star and footy fan told the Herald Sun the time was right for the AFL to move the premiership decider from its traditional timeslot, declaring: “It could be cool.”

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“It’s always a good atmosphere at night,’’ he said.

It comes as Melbourne gears up for a hugely anticipated weekend of sport with the opening round of footy expected to lure hundreds of thousands of fans. It kicks off with a near-capacity crowd at the MCG for the first match between reigning premiers Richmond and Carlton on Thursday.

Daniel Ricciardo, centre, with Trent Cotchin and Marc Murphy last year, with Melbourne’s bumper weekend of sport coming round again. Picture: Alex Coppel.

More than 370,000 F1 fans are expected to head to Albert Park across the weekend with organisers pointing to the strongest ticket sales in a decade.

Ricciardo, who will help rev the Formula One season to life in Melbourne this week, said his experience night racing at the Singapore Grand Prix told him an AFL Grand Final after dark would be a winner.

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“I don’t see a downside,’’ he said.

“There is something about at least racing at night, there is something in the air, there is a bit of an atmosphere.

Marina Bay is lit up at night for the Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images

“It’s kind of cool. A bit more of an electricity bill I guess, so they might have to put a few dollar mark-up on the tickets to cover that.’’

Ricciardo said the only drawback may be for AFL players forced to sit around waiting to play for premiership glory.

“Bottling up your energy is quite hard, so I feel for the footy players as well — maybe it will be like they will be pumped up and trying to save it for the game,’’ he said.

But despite seeing the merits of a night Grand Prix in Melbourne in building the spectacle and boosting TV audiences in Europe, he said the Albert Park showpiece should remain a daytime affair.

Despite his AFL Grand Final comments, Daniel Ricciardo says Melbourne’s Grand Prix should remain a daytime event. Picture: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy

“I’m probably more against than for (a night race),’’ he said.

“I kind of feel they would then find other things to just fill up the day with so it would be just a longer, more chaotic day.’’

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Ricciardo said the Melbourne Grand Prix had won praise worldwide for building entertainment on and off-track around the F1 race and a move to night could spoil its winning formula.

“I think it’s fine,’’ he said. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with so I say keep it.

“Unless you want to make it earlier, I don’t mind.’’

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