AFL’s grand plan for night shift
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Tuesday that Brisbane will host a historic grand final played at night on October 24
A historic night grand final at the Gabba in October could convince the AFL to make an evening timeslot permanent for the game’s season showpiece.
A four-state fight to host the first decider held outside Victoria ended when AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced Queensland had won the rights.
After toying with moving the grand final to a twilight or night timeslot for years, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for the AFL to experiment with the start time.
McLachlan, who is in quarantine for the next fortnight on the Gold Coast, said the AFL would monitor the Saturday, October 24 spectacle closely.
“It won’t be so foreign, I am sure, and you will (be able to) debate it on its merits afterwards. We will get the chance to have a look at some stuff, for sure,” he said.
There is a view among proponents for a night grand final, which has been discussed at AFL Commission level in recent years, that the spectacle of the game would be better at night.
Broadcast executives believe it will draw a greater audience than the traditional afternoon time slot, which in turn will lead to an increase in advertising revenue.
The commission has resisted the push, deciding the tradition associated with the game is important to protect, although Collingwood president Eddie McGuire described this approach as akin to being “scaredy cats”.
AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said supporters of the code had consistently made it clear their preference was for the grand final to be played in the afternoon.
“We’d like to think that once football returns to a typical season, the grand final will return to its traditional day timeslot, unless AFL fans are won over by the later timeslot,” he said.
Both the date and timing ensures the AFL showpiece will not clash with key events in Victoria or Queensland.
Brisbane is also set to host Bledisloe Cup Tests on October 10 and October 17.
The latter date was considered for the grand final but ultimately dismissed to enable a bye between the regular season and finals, a decision backed by all bar two clubs in contention.
A night grand final will also ensure the 100th running of the Cox Plate at The Valley will occur without a major sporting event in opposition, a factor the AFL also considered.
“That was our commitment. It was not why we made that decision, but I know racing is going to be OK,” McLachlan said.
As part of a deal estimated to be worth at least $10m, the Queensland government will make significant investments at the community level to help the AFL flourish further in the state.
A “festival of football” will occur from the Gold Coast to Cairns over the next two months, with the premiership cup to be taken on a tour of Queensland.
Participation rates have increased by almost 300 per cent over the past decade and television ratings in Brisbane have jumped significantly this year given the Lions’ success.
In short, Queensland requires more ovals to cater for the growth in demand, Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans told The Australian recently.
“The financials around the game largely stand on their own two feet and the partnership and the legacy arrangements we have with the government around community football, both in programs and infrastructure, they are for multiple years,” McLachlan said.
“It is why we are growing so fast in Queensland and we are loving it.”
While it is a significant win for the code in Queensland, it is a bitter blow for rival states hoping to snare the grand final.
It is an opportunity unlikely to occur again until 2059 at the earliest given the AFL extended its contract at the MCG for an additional year to compensate for the loss in 2020.
Adelaide Oval will serve as a back-up should there be an emergency COVID-19 outbreak in Queensland and will also be able to host other finals as per current border regulations.
South Australian legend Graham Cornes said Queensland had handled the AFL quarantine and travel arrangements “without fuss” and played a vital role in keeping the season afloat.
“It was a lost opportunity for SA,” Cornes said.
“We’ve got to be grateful that our borders have kept us safe but Queensland showed it could be done.”
The AFL is hopeful of hosting a final in Perth in the opening week of the series, but that would depend on the Eagles finishing in the top two or in fifth or sixth position.
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“The COVID pandemic has meant we have had to take the game outside of Melbourne. For this year only before it returns home to the MCG in 2021.†https://t.co/POA12PLmYh
— AFL (@AFL) September 2, 2020
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