Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett urges AFL to leave the Grand Final alone

HAWTHORN president Jeff Kennett fears a Grand Final under lights will come at a high price and is confident “common sense should prevail” when the AFL commission meets later this week.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett wants the AFL to stick with a daytime Grand Final. Picture: Michael Klein

HAWTHORN president and Seven West Media board member Jeff Kennett has urged the AFL to stick with a traditional daytime Grand Final slot.

The AFL commission will meet in Perth on Friday to rule on a proposed twilight premiership decider on Saturday, September 29.

But Kennett fears a Grand Final played under lights will come at the expense of the game’s most precious commodity — kids.

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“I still want to make sure we think of younger, future generations,” the Hawks boss said.

“And I ask myself: ‘What is in their interests to continue to stimulate interest in the game?’ And I think that is probably as it is now.

“I understand there might be commercial reasons, both for the AFL and broadcasters ... but in the interests of succession and avoiding complacency and believing that we are always going to be the best code on the block, we should keep it where it is.

“It’s easy for adults to adopt and adapt but I think we ought to think about younger and future generations and their interests are best served by having it as it is now.

“Don’t let money finally detract from what we currently have in place.”

Hawks president Jeff Kennett wants the Grand Final to stay during the day. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if that was the view of the Seven West Media board he sat on, Kennett said: “Don’t ask me that question — you’re asking me as president of the football club.”

Pressed on whether he had a feel for what will happen on Friday, he said: “No. Common sense should prevail.”

The Herald Sun Footy Fans survey involving 10,000 supporters last year found almost 71 per cent want footy’s biggest day to remain unmoved.

Only 21 per cent supported a move to a 4.30pm twilight timeslot with 8 per cent backing a night Grand Final.

A separate AFL Fans’ Association poll released last week heavily endorsed a traditional 2.30pm bounce.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan last week declared the commission led by chairman Richard Goyder would make its decision in the best interests of football fans.

“It’s one of the most important days for our supporters ... and we’ll make the decision we think is right for them,” McLachlan said.

The AFL last week locked in the MCG as host of the Grand Final until 2057 as part of a mega infrastructure deal with the Andrews Government.

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