The push to move the AFL grand final to a night or twilight slot has long been resisted by league bosses, but that is likely to change in 2028.
Speaking on the hit new podcast The Breakers, gun 7NEWS sports reporter Xander McGuire has revealed that the AFL’s traditional grand final timeslot of 2.30pm AEST is on its last legs with the big move almost certainly coming after the 2027 decider.
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While change is inevitable, former CEOs have all previously claimed to be “traditionalists”.
“It’s obviously a big debate most years,” McGuire said on The Breakers podcast, adding it was already locked in for 2.30pm next year.
“(But) I think we can almost lock and key that it’ll be a 5.15pm (grand final) the following year (in 2028).”
McGuire said he was 80 per cent certain it would happen.
“People in high positions at the AFL have alluded to me that when (the Tasmania Devils) come into the competition they want to revolutionise the fixture in many different ways and one of them being looked at is the grand final,” McGuire said.
“They’ve found that the 5.15pm slot for the prelims to be a massive success. It’s gone really well.
“The AFL like it because you get the balance of the tradition while also getting the darkness to have a bit better of a show.”
7NEWS chief AFL Mitch Cleary said the 5.15pm was “perfect”, however this year’s AFL grand final did outrate the NRL grand final which was on Sunday night, the latter considered a prime TV night.
The AFL grand final had a national total TV audience of 4.52 million and an audience reach of 6.5 million, making it the most watched TV program of the year.
The NRL grand final had a TV audience of 4.29 million and total reach of 6.05 million.
“Sunday is the highest rating night on TV,” McGuire said.
But he added that there had been research about the AFL grand final and it was thought the TV audience would increase by about million if it was held later on Saturday.
“The whole pre-game thing is a point of conjecture but I think the theatre of it is undoubtedly a lot better in the dark … or in the twilight, at least,” McGuire said.
As with most changes to the AFL (proposed or actual), debate immediately erupted online.
“Tradition is dead. The AFL is intentionally destroying the game,” one fan blasted on social media.
And another added: “Why? 2:30pm suits families with children. The kids can celebrate after/before bed. 2.30pm forever is the go.” another fan said.
And another: “Literally nobody wants a twilight grand final. Why is this being pushed on us so hard?”
And another: “Once again demonstrating how much the AFL hates its own fans.”
However, the later timeslot also has supporters.
“I see no problem with this at all. Can’t tell you how many people I know miss the game because they’re at work. Still works for young families. Win-win,” one fan said.
And another: “Why wait? 4.30 is the best time to start. Just shows how useless the 1.30pm pregame is, Kylie got only 1/4 of the ratings of the game coz it was so early.”
