Backlash from AFL fans on possible change to Grand Final time
Footy fans have sent a powerful message to the AFL Commission — leave the Grand Final in the afternoon where it’s always been.
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Footy fans have sent a powerful message to the AFL Commission — leave the Grand Final in the afternoon where it’s always been.
A decision on this year’s start time will be made on Thursday, with fans and players united in their push to keep the biggest bounce at 2.30pm.
AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said supporters vehemently opposed a twilight Grand Final, which has been backed by commission chairman Richard Goyder.
“Poll after poll shows a clear majority of fans don’t want it,’’ Mr Eeman said.
“So why do something your largest stakeholder clearly doesn’t want? It’s not a lineball decision, it’s a clear majority.”
KENNETT SLAMS ‘USELESS’ AFL OVER TWILIGHT GRAND FINAL
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett slammed the AFL Commission, saying the clubs had not been consulted on any decision to change the start time for the biggest sporting event in the country.
“The level of governance at the AFL … they should’ve been put up before (chair of the banking Royal Commission) Ken Hayne, I tell you,” Kennett said. “They’re appalling. I’m totally disgusted at the way they’ve performed.”
Close to 70 per cent of readers polled on heraldsun.com.au yesterday wanted to keep a day Grand Final.
Three-quarters of players surveyed last year wanted the same.
A whopping 97 per cent of players rejected a night Grand Final. But not every club is dead-set against it.
Kennett said he had no read on what the commission would choose — because representatives hadn’t spoken to him. “I see all the linking and establishing of the fact by the AFL Commission, but as usual they haven’t consulted the presidents, who are the stakeholders and shareholders in the company, which is not unusual,” he said.
“There’s no recognition of good governance at all, there’s no recognition of the shareholders, they just leak, they set the scene and instead of consulting us first, they go and talk through the press. They’re useless.”
Sydney chief executive Tom Harley — who captained Geelong in the 2007 and 2009 Grand Finals — said the Swans were open to a twilight decider if it broadcast the game to more people, especially in Sydney.
“If we can take the game to as many people as possible we’d support that, but history and tradition is not such a bad reason to keep it the way it is as well,” Harley said.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said: “It’s a privilege to make the Grand Final. We’ll play anytime”.
Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann said his club was happy with the proposal of a twilight Grand Final.
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