AFL Grand Final 2021: Gillon McLachlan says twilight game in Perth was ‘spectacular’

Gillon McLachlan says the twilight grand final in Perth ‘worked perfectly’, but will the factor that wowed the AFL boss apply when the decider returns to the MCG?

Demons fans who are allowed to attend could see something that hasn’t happened in more than 50 years. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was blow away by how “spectacular” Saturday’s twilight Grand Final was in Perth and couldn’t rule out a similar timeslot when the game returns to the MCG in 2022.

Barring another Covid disaster, the Grand Final will be back in Melbourne next year, where the AFL has a contract play the game until 2058.

After two years on the road, first in Brisbane in 2020 then Perth this year, the Grand Final has been played as a night game at the Gabba then a twilight game in Perth with a 5.15pm local start.

A return to the MCG could see a return to the traditional day Grand Final, but having witnessed the effects of a twilight game, McLachlan said “nothing could be taken for granted”.

“It was pretty spectacular,” he said.

“I don’t know if it picked it up on television, but the light late in the day … it was a beautiful day here, and the light just faded into black.

“It was a pretty good slot, I thought. I like where it was for this stadium – I think it worked perfectly.

“But the MCG’s different. We’ll process it and have a look.”

The Demons and Bulldogs do battle at Perth Stadium. Picture: Getty

The grand final timing is an annual hot topic and fans remain divided on the best timeslot.

McLachlan said the MCG’s likely 2022 hosting time would be reviewed by the AFL commission, with no decision imminent.

“I don’t think anything should be taken for granted. We’ll have a look at it,” he told 3AW.

“I know how many people want it during the day at the MCG.

“I think you play it on its merits given the venue, the state, the circumstance.”

McLachlan also had some sympathy for grand final MC Basil Zempilas, who has attracted criticism for not allowing winning Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin to make a speech.

Zempilas forgot to invite Goodwin to the microphone before the Demons were presented with the premiership cup.

“It was a mistake. Mistakes happen, it was disappointing for Simon. But it was a mistake,” McLachlan said.

“Simon will have his moment and I don‘t think it’ll stop the Dees supporters from loving every minute of it too much.”

DO VICTORIAN-BASED MEMBERS DESERVE COMPENSATION?

Angry Victorian-based AFL members are waiting to find out what compensation they will receive after discovering their grand final ticket privileges will go to waste.

AFL members had been hoping they could buy tickets to this year’s historic Perth decider between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs and offer them to friends or family members in Western Australian.

But the AFL has ruled the tickets are non-transferable — unlike club memberships.

Demons fan Kent Heib, who paid extra for an AFL gold membership to ensure he would be able to attend the grand final if Melbourne made it, was among the members upset at the AFL’s decision.

Demons fans who are allowed to attend could see something that hasn’t happened in more than 50 years. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

“I’ve paid hundreds of dollars every year for 17 years for this exact moment, so it’s pretty shattering,” he said.

“I wanted to help someone else be there if I couldn’t go, but the AFL won’t allow it.”

Many AFL members had logged onto the Ticketmaster website on Sunday to try to buy tickets to the September 25 decider at Perth Stadium but were left bitterly disappointed when they.

Supporters who relocated to Western Australia but still had a Victorian or NSW address linked to their AFL membership had to frantically update their details.

Melbourne and Western Bulldogs club members based in Victoria were able to buy tickets for the match on Monday and Tuesday.

The league emailed AFL members in locked-down states Victoria and NSW on September 1 to inform them that “at this stage” they were unable to grant access to the preliminary finals or grand final.

There will be plenty of Doggies fans at Perth Stadium. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

That followed the announcement the grand final would be held away from the MCG for a second-straight year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We understand this is not a desirable outcome for many,” an AFL email to members said.

“However with the many challenges of 2021, we hope you understand we must follow the guidelines stipulated by the relevant state governments.”

Victorian crowds were drastically limited this season on government orders, and the last matches played in the state on the weekend of August 21 and 22 were held in empty stadiums.

An email to AFL members last week acknowledged the “interrupted access”.

It also stated there would be communication in the week starting Monday, October 4 on what members’ financial compensation would be.

Those who agreed to pay their AFL membership in full last season despite matches being relocated away from Victoria received a 30 per cent discount this year.

Some fans posted on social media this week they would no longer pay for AFL memberships and would instead put money solely into their respective clubs.

Originally published as AFL Grand Final 2021: Gillon McLachlan says twilight game in Perth was ‘spectacular’