The AFL grand final is an annual afternoon match that is considered by many the greatest spectacle in Australian sports.

The time of the grand final has come under questioning in recent years following public criticism from Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, in the wake of the annual NFL Super Bowl.

In an attempt to open the discussion forum on the topic, I was fortunate enough to conduct interviews with individuals that have close ties to the AFL.

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The AFL openly ruled out any intention of altering the game to a twilight or night match in the 2016 Premiership season earlier this year.

Despite this, Patrick Keane, the AFL media relations manager, said the topic has been a trending debate among fans and supporters of the league, creating a divide between the publics interests.

“There’s two distinct groups [of fans]. Those who say don’t change it and those who think if we can expand the reach and the coverage of our game then we should change it.” Keane said.

The AFL Commission are responsible for administering policies and changes to many aspects of the Australian sport every season, including a grand final time change.

Keane confirmed this, saying that it is something that is being heavily considered for the future of the game.

“It’s a discussion on our football agenda at the moment with our clubs and wider football public. It won’t change this year, but there’s every chance that in the next few years, it will change.”



An important stakeholder in this decision-making process is the AFL’s broadcast rights holder, Channel Seven.

The contractual agreement between the two parties will begin in 2017 and run until season 2022. The broadcasting contract is worth a colossal $2.5 billion over the next six years, granting Channel Seven the primary broadcasting rights to the grand final.

Channel Seven sports reporter, Sean Sowerby, says that the television audience for the AFL grand final would be a lot larger for a twilight or night grand final.

“Channel Seven would love a night grand final just to expose the game to a bigger audience, it just seems like a better atmosphere,” Sowerby said.

The commercial perspective of the issue deals with the AFL’s sporting event competition on an international scale.

Considering this, the Australian public seemingly see the spectacular characteristics of the Super Bowl entertainment and compare it to our national treasure every year.

Sowerby discussed the aspect of a night match as a means to increase the quality and enjoyment of the AFL grand final entertainment.

“The pre-game entertainment has often fallen flat during the day. This would give it a bit of an extra punch.”



The players are the stars of our game and are the individuals that create the thrilling moments on grand final day. The opinions of players and teams are a significant factor in the discussion.

Two-time Geelong premiership player, Tom Hawkins, said a night grand final is inevitable, acknowledging the need for continual change.

“I forecast that within the next 10 years we’ll see an AFL night grand final,” Hawkins said.

“You’ve got to evolve the game because it’s become more technical. They’re looking at other sports and always trying to be ahead of the game so there’s new thinking coming into the game and naturally it’s just got to evolve.”

Players assumingly have personal game time preferences and a change to the biggest game of the year will have a significant effect on all participants, both positive and negative.

The AFL will be looking to gain insight into player perspective on the topic and how it will impact their performance.

Hawkins says this creates a variety of challenges for young players, explaining that nerves can be a factor in on-field performance.

“It would be harder for younger players that tend to get a little bit nervous before games so from a player point of view it would be quite tough,” Hawkins said.



“If I was to put myself in that situation, in 2009, I’m 21 years of age. I was up at six in the morning of the 2009 grand final and it makes it a long day if you’re not starting the game until 7pm.”

Despite this, the Geelong champion says he’s a strong supporter of making the grand final a night game.

“I’d like to see an AFL night grand final. Personally, I just like the preparation of night games, it gives you more time. [Playing] at the MCG, 100,000 for a night game for the biggest game of the year would be exciting.”

While it seems to be in the best interests of both the AFL and Channel Seven to hold the grand final at night, there is no time frame for the change to happen.

Fans will have to sit tight as there may be some big changes coming for the AFL in the coming years.