The traditional AFL grand final kick-off time will remain at 2.30pm on a Saturday afternoon after the game’s chiefs rejected a move to a later, more advertising friendly time-slot.
It’s been reported that broadcasters – presumably Seven and Foxtel – wanted the kick-off around 6pm and the game played under lights as it would attract more eyeballs and they could charge more for the ads.
Lots of prime Australian sport is now played in the evening, including the NRL grand final and State of Origin. TV bosses know they get more viewers at night.
But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan quashed rumours that that the grand final would break from it’s traditional afternoon kick-off.
“I do believe, without sounding trite or sounding like a politician, this is a decision about what our supporters want, it is a football supporter decision,’ McLachlan told ABC Radio.
“There was still not a compelling reason to alter the start time for the high point to our season,” he said.
However, it may not be safe for long. The AFL Players Union have come out in support of a night time grand final and Collingwood star, Scott Pendlebury, said a match under lights at the MCG would create a “great buzz”.
