Twilight Grand Final?

[PrancingPony]

Lot of talks getting louder about the potential for a twilight GF this year, and I have no doubt everyone on here will have an opinion about it, it seems to be a pretty unpopular decision in the online spaces from what I've seen, lot of people saying they'd prefer to maintain tradition and keep it during the day, that it should only be during the day. Which is fair and understandable.

Personally I don't really care what time they put the GF on, I'll end up watching regardless, so if they go for twilight this year I'm fine with it.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Much prefer daytime. If they do change it, just go to night. Twilight is the worst of both worlds.

 

[Colonial]

Go to night.

 

[TigerTrain23]

5.15pm start. With Kylie on at 6.30pm take it to the bank.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Prefer the day slot, but if it changes then twilight would be better than night.

 

[carndapies]

Yeah make it a twilight or night grand final. Makes the game more of a spectacle and those that work on Saturdays finally get to watch a grand final

 

[Fambam84]

Twilight will be good. There's been a heap of prelim finals played during twilight and they've been spectacular.

 

[jwikked]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1486947/afl-locks-in-toyota-afl-grand-final-start-time-for-next-two-years-230pm-aest\

The AFL has today announced the start time for both the 2026 and 2027 Toyota AFL Grand Finals, with each match to begin at 2:30pm AEST.


AFL Commission Chair Craig Drummond and AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon said locking in the start time for the next two years would provide fans, clubs and stakeholders with certainty, while allowing the AFL to consider the broader competition ahead of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028.

While there continues to be mixed views amongst fans, players, broadcasters, sponsors, and everyone with a stake in the game, there is no compelling case for change now and the decision was that the Toyota AFL Grand Final should remain in its traditional afternoon timeslot for the next two seasons.

“The Toyota AFL Grand Final is the best day on the Australian sporting calendar. It is the biggest moment in our game.” Mr Drummond said.

“Everyone who loves footy has a view on the right start time for our biggest game of the year, and for at least the next two seasons it will remain in its traditional afternoon timeslot at the MCG.

“The Commission agreed it was important to provide fans and clubs with certainty now, while also allowing the AFL to continue to plan on our 19th club entering the competition in two years’ time.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said planning was already well underway for the Tasmania Devils’ entry into the competition in 2028.

“We are already undertaking significant work on Tasmania entering the AFL in 2028, so it makes sense to lock in the Grand Final start time for the next two seasons and provide everyone with clarity.” Mr Dillon said.

“Our role is to deliver the best possible Grand Final experience - for the 100,000 fans at the MCG and the millions watching on broadcast - and together with our Grand Final broadcast partner, the Seven Network, we remain committed to making it the biggest and best sporting event in the country.”

“The season has started strongly, the footy has been exciting, crowds have been strong, and there is plenty to look forward to over the next month with Gather Round and Anzac Day ahead.”

Local start times by State and Territory:

2:30pm AEST – ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC
2:00pm ACST – NT, SA
12:30pm AWST – WA

 

[milhouse1]

Great!

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1486947/afl-locks-in-toyota-afl-grand-final-start-time-for-next-two-years-230pm-aest\

Great!
I'm just excited we get one year at least without a debate about the start time.

 

[shaqsuns]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1486947/afl-locks-in-toyota-afl-grand-final-start-time-for-next-two-years-230pm-aest\

Typical AFL, they have been leaking stories that they are changing the time slot only keep the same time.

 

[Plat the Rat]

The thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is the celebrations for fans, players and staff after the game.

This doesn’t happen after any other game so that’s why prelims can be played at night.

Even with the current start time players aren’t getting out of the rooms until quite late I’m guessing 7-8 o’clock and it works so well having a function at crown that night. Even if the game was twilight you’d run out of time for that or be starting the function at midnight.

 

[Bjo187]

Disappointing. They chickened out after the backlash on the wildcard last year. Weak leadership from weak leaders in Dillon and Drummond (is this bloke alive? New chairman hasn't even done one interview yet).

Twilight is just such a better TV product, it allows a much bigger audience and casual sports fan to see our game, the game isn't in bright sunlight with shadowing later on, it doesn't start at midday Saturday in Perth, it's just an all round better spectacle, suprised they made this decision and what the hell has Tassie coming into the comp got to do with the decision? Even pushing it back to 3.30 would have helped get it closer to a time when more people are home on a Saturday.

 

[kid_a]

Disappointing. They chickened out after the backlash on the wildcard last year. Weak leadership from weak leaders in Dillon and Drummond (is this bloke alive? New chairman hasn't even done one interview yet).

Twilight is just such a better TV product, it allows a much bigger audience and casual sports fan to see our game, the game isn't in bright sunlight with shadowing later on, it doesn't start at midday Saturday in Perth, it's just an all round better spectacle, suprised they made this decision and what the hell has Tassie coming into the comp got to do with the decision? Even pushing it back to 3.30 would have helped get it closer to a time when more people are home on a Saturday.

Over 80% of fans in the supporters association voted that they want it kept at 2:30....it's hardly "weak leadership" from Dill on this one (and trust me I'm not fan of his). He's given the fans what they want over what broadcasters want.

Your view is very much in the minority of footy fans

 

[theprospector]

Rory Sloane

9

Rory Sloane

Age

36

Ht

183cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.7

5star

K

11.7

4star

HB

11.9

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

6.6

5star

CL

5.7

5star

D

15.3

4star

K

7.3

3star

HB

8.0

4star

M

1.3

1star

T

3.3

4star

CL

4.2

5star

D

22.2

5star

K

8.6

4star

HB

13.6

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

6.0

5star

CL

4.6

5star

said they should’ve moved it so they can have more corporate functions before the game.

He is Eddie’s puppet.

Does he know they actually do this already?

 

[delta_magpie]

Thankfully sanity prevailed and 2:30pm start time remains.
The only people who want night time are people who dont care or the media organizations that will benefit from the $$.
Leave our game alone!!
I have been to the night grand final in Brisbane and it did NOT feel like a GF, it felt like a regular final.
the day timeslot makes it stand out from other games, nothing better than that afternoon Sun orange glow of the G when the final siren goes. Some iconic pictures and vision.
The crowds are 90% corporate at the GF, give the fans at least this special moment that all ages can share.

 

[Rotayjay]

This pathetic and pointless idea has been officially knocked on the head for another two years. Long may it continue.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Twilight will be good. There's been a heap of prelim finals played during twilight and they've been spectacular.

I actually miss day Prelim finals (and finals in general, not many exist anymore)

 

[Clark G]

Really unless there is a change there is no need for an announcement every year.

 

[jwikked]

Really unless there is a change there is no need for an announcement every year.

It gets brought up at the commission meeting yearly. That’s why there’s an announcement - it doesn’t get decided until the season has already started.

Which is why it’s weird they’ve locked it in for the next 2 years. It makes me wonder what stunt they’re going to pull now they’ve earned themselves a little good will.

Or is this just to give them time to heavily campaign on changing the date for 2 years, so by the time it happens most people have gotten tired of hearing about it?

The AFL think the footy fans are misinformed when it comes to the preference of the 2:30 start time. They think a little bit of education is all people need to see the light.

 

[Cleavy]

Really unless there is a change there is no need for an announcement every year.

they want the social media views etc.

 

[Cold Ghost]

I've always found it curious that the majority of finals are twilight or night games, but the Grand Final is the only day game during the finals series.
I've wondered if that makes any difference to the teams, in adjusting on Grand Final day.

The last time a non Grand Final final started at 2:30pm Eastern was 2013, with a 2:45pm start in the 2014 Quali.

 

[Bjo187]

Over 80% of fans in the supporters association voted that they want it kept at 2:30....it's hardly "weak leadership" from Dill on this one (and trust me I'm not fan of his). He's given the fans what they want over what broadcasters want.

Your view is very much in the minority of footy fans

It is weak because it's not what is best for the game and it's growth, which is the whole reason the AFL administration exists, to do what's best for the sport.

 

[jwikked]

It is weak because it's not what is best for the game and it's growth, which is the whole reason the AFL administration exists, to do what's best for the sport.

Doing what’s best for the sport includes taking into consideration what the fan base likes and doesn’t like.

If you wanted to do the best thing for the sport, you’d have Collingwood play every Friday night at the MCG.

Doing what’s best for the sport doesn’t mean selling out to the highest bidder. More money hasn’t made the sport better.

 

[shammersting]

I think Dills has realised hes out of his depth with all his poor decisions of late, so didn't want to alienate the fans anymore. Not sure if it's the right call or not.

 

[Dan26]

Thankfully sanity prevailed and 2:30pm start time remains.
The only people who want night time are people who dont care or the media organizations that will benefit from the $$.
Leave our game alone!!
I have been to the night grand final in Brisbane and it did NOT feel like a GF, it felt like a regular final.
the day timeslot makes it stand out from other games, nothing better than that afternoon Sun orange glow of the G when the final siren goes. Some iconic pictures and vision.
The crowds are 90% corporate at the GF, give the fans at least this special moment that all ages can share.

Anyone who has a brain should want the Grand Final at night/twilight.

Reason the Grand Final should be twilight/night
1. The TV ratings are better
2. The entertainment is better
3. All the other finals are at night.
4. It’s fairer, because 70% of H&A games are played at night/twilight with a yellow ball.
5. It’s aesthetically better with no shadows on the ground

Reason the Grand Final should be during the day
None

What kind of idiot would want the AFL’s biggest product played in the same timeslot reserved for Saturday movie re-runs? All the other finals were moved to night years ago, yet the most important final of all to maximise the audience isn’t? Why????? Tradition isn’t a reason because if it was, all the other finals would be played during the day.