AFL rejects twilight grand final for now

Australian football tradition has won out over progression with the AFL grand final remaining a day game.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has stressed the importance of the code evolving.

Australian football tradition has won out over progression with the AFL grand final on the last Saturday in September remaining a day game.

An inevitable change to a historic twilight match finishing under lights was rejected by the AFL Commission for a third straight year. The grand final will start at the same time as last year — 2.30pm.

The grand final remains one of the very few major world team sporting championship events still played during daylight hours.

The AFL Commission elected to retain the status quo despite its chairman Richard Goyder teasing the industry last weekend by saying he favoured a later start time. “We should give it a go,” he said. “You could really put on a real show. While we’re all traditionalists, a twilight grand final with the right entertainment would be amazing.”

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan revealed the decision at this evening’s 2019 season launch at Melbourne Town Hall. Earlier in the day, the commission and AFL executive met for several hours with club presidents and then for a shorter time with club chief executives. The commission then met separately and made their decision.

The Melbourne Cricket Club, which has a long-running contract to stage the biggest game of the season at the MCG, said it was “neutral” in the debate. MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said “a twilight game would have posed some logistical challenges, but nothing insurmountable”.

Earlier Collingwood president Eddie McGuire made no secret of his preference. “If you want to be the No 1 rating show in Australia, you’ve got to be on in prime time,” he said. “It’s a no-brainer to me, the sooner we do it the better.”

Last week McLachlan reiterated the commission would not be swayed by pressure from the broadcaster, or by the potential of extra revenue and ratings a twilight game would generate.

He predicted the commission decision would be a balancing act between tradition and progression. “It’ll be the same discussion as we always have,” he said. “The issues are always the same, it’s managing progression and respecting tradition.

“I feel it’s inevitable at some point … one day we’ll do it. I think the timing works, per se. The first half during the day and the second half under lights, I think it works. The challenge for all of us is to make progress while respecting the heritage. That balance is the biggest thing that’s in our mind with everything.”

Despite the decision to reject the twilight grand final, McLachlan outlined the importance of the code continuing to evolve in order to retain its national supremacy.

Citing the vision of former VFL chairman Allen Aylett, who recognised the importance of creating a national competition, the AFL supremo said rule changes driven by football operations manager Steve Hocking will further improve the aesthetics of the sport. This is despite concerted criticism over the past week of at least one rule change, the decision to restrict runners, from coaches including Western Bulldgos boss Luke Beveridge.

But McLachlan, who was among the 12 executives who shared $3.56 million in bonuses on top of wages of $10.73 million last year, was in an optimistic mood.

“Our game is in really good shape thanks to people like Allen Aylett and all the others who made brave, progressive decisions since we became a national game,” McLachlan said.

“There are always challenges and different views, but we will continue to work with the industry, provide leadership and challenge the status quo. The new rules will open up the game and provide the best opportunity for the players to showcase their skills.”

Those rule changes including the introduction of a more traditional 6-6-6 starting position for players at centre bounces and additional space for defenders bringing the ball back into the field of play after a behind to encourage a more free-flowing style.

AFL life memberships have been awarded to Sydney and Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, Docker David Mundy, Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury, former Magpie and current Giant Heath Shaw, umpire Ray Chamberlain, North Melbourne legend John Dugdale, Tiger Merv Keane and Wally Miller, from Norwood, who was an outstanding administrator for the SANFL club.