THE AFL broke with tradition on Friday night by keeping the roof open at Etihad Stadium and it is a move that football fans might need to embrace.

With the temperature in the mid 20s come game time and the approaching rain front still several hours away, the decision was made to make it an open-air game and the huge crowd at Etihad Stadium seemed to love the conditions.

Until now, AFL policy has been to open the roof at night during pre-season games, but to close it for all twilight and night games irrespective of the weather.

But that policy might be about to change, with AFL spokesman Patrick Keane saying on Saturday, "If there is an opportunity to keep it open, they will".

Playing conditions at Etihad Stadium have always been divisive, with the peculiar, north-south dimension of the ground causing stark differences between light and shade for players, spectators and TV viewers during day games.

The AFL has remained firm that the roof should remain open for day games in dry conditions, but keeping it open during dry conditions for games later in the day and the evening will add a new dimension to the Etihad experience.

The roof was closed for Saturday’s St Kilda-Brisbane game.