It is hard to find a single downside to a twilight Grand Final, writes Jon Ralph

IT IS hard to find a single downside to a twilight Grand Final as soon as this year, writes Jon Ralph. Agree or disagree? Vote in our poll.

Bulldogs players celebrate winning the 2016 premiership. Picture: Toby Zerna

THE prospect of a twilight Grand Final has quickly moved from a bold, left-field suggestion to an inevitability.

That word — “inevitable” — comes straight from the mouth of AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, who said recently it was hard to find a downside to a timeslot shift.

The single caveat from McLachlan was that the AFL Commission needed to find the right season to introduce the concept.

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But as the league considers in coming weeks that very prospect, it is hard to find a single downside to a twilight Grand Final as soon as this year.

The decision on whether to tinker with the regulation 2.30pm (EST) timeslot seems likely to be made at the March 16 commission meeting before the AFL season launch.

The AFL says there are two commission meetings before then, but it’s not on the official agenda at next week’s commission gathering.

Isaac Heeney celebrates with fans after Sydney preliminary final win. Picture: Phil Hillyard

As McLachlan said on radio late last year: “More and more people think it’s a chance to enhance the event.”

“You’re not pushing it back late at night. Kids could still go to a twilight game. It would be a bigger, bolder experience and clearly it would have an impact on television,” he said.

“If you took a long-term view, it’s inevitable, but it’s a question of when and it’s to do with the composition of the commission, the presidents and others in the industry who have their views.”

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As Eddie McGuire says, footy looks better at night, is easier to market, is seen by more people and provides the opportunity for a huge half-time entertainment spectacle.

So let’s tick off those who are keen to see a twilight game at least trialled this year.

The AFL’s presidents and officials are gangbusters on the idea, from McGuire to Andrew Pridham to David Koch to Stephen Trigg to Carl Dilena.

Bulldogs players celebrate their 2016 premiership win. Picture: Toby Zerna

Not a single senior club official is yet to call for a retention of the traditional 2.30pm slot.

The broadcasters who have just paid over a billion dollars for new TV rights would not only enter prime-time zone but draw more northern market viewers.

The players are more than happy given they now play almost every final at twilight or night, as Matthew Pavlich said on Tuesday.

“As a traditionalist growing up I liked the Grand Final during the day but I have got no issues with a twilight game,” he said.

“It is probably a better spectacle at twilight or night. We have played twilight prelims and it can be a little slippery but players quickly adjust and as a spectacle it’s still as special.”

North Melbourne is happy to shift its Grand Final breakfast to brunch, with some wondering whether the long wait would lead to public drunkenness.

But if the sole reason for a day Grand Final is that we cannot trust fans at Grand Final parties not to get blind drunk by 4.30pm, where are we at as a sport and society?

McLachlan is on record as saying the AFL Commission was split down the middle last year when they resisted the chance to trial a twilight game.

Do those handful of commissioners still resisting hold firm despite the avalanche of support, content to gloat about their TV riches?

Or do they witness the success of night contests like the Big Bash and realise every game is now a chance to maximise the league’s entertainment value.

If the AFL is bold and adventurous to come up with a fully-fledged women’s competition within the space of two years surely it is time for a one-off trial of a Grand Final played at 4.30pm.