A Sunday night AFL Grand Final

[cruiser]

NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be disastrous for supporters of interstate GF teams. It would mean having to stay in Melbourne overnight, paying a premium for scarce accommodation, rather than flying home after the game. Being a school night, it would mean having little time to celebrate the win and having to be back at work the next day rather than celebrating in South Melbourne or at the SCG.

Then there's the tradition.

The idea sucks!

[katie-scarlett]

Negative officer!

it would also mean using up a sick leave or annual leave on monday as the hangover from the night before would be deadly.
(because 'sif you would actually go to work the next day..come on be honest!)

[NMWBloods]

Absurd for so many reasons.

Even Saturday night would be a shocker.

It really needs to be as it is now.

The good news is:
"AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has declared that a premiership season night grand final will not take place during the period covered by the next broadcast rights deal which runs from 2007-11."
Per the AFL website.

[wheels27]

This is the same thing that happened recently in the NRL. Most league fans were against the change, but it happened anyway.

Sadly the bottom line is a Grand Final will always be sold out so the league doesn't lose out, and TV figures will increase dramatically, allowing networks to charge advertisers even more than they do now.

People who watch GF's on tv usually do so with a group of friends or at a party/ BBQ, but that does not happen on a Sunday night. So no more people are watching the game, but figures rise because more tv's have it on.

I always like to think that the AFL thinks slightly more of their supporter base than the NRL, but I think I might be dreaming a bit.

It's going to be all about $$$$ so I'd say if the change has been mooted, it is probably inevitable.

I think the collective greed of the AFL and the AFLPA has seen decisions made purely based on revenue increases, so this one will probably be no different.


Please let me be wrong!!!!!!!!!!


PS. Where was this coming from? Reported somewhere?

[Xie Shan]

Who said anything about a Sunday night GF? If they really had to play it at night, surely it would be on a Saturday night? IIRC the NRL GF is now played on the Sunday night before the Labour Day public holiday.

I could see it being played on a Saturday night, but I'd rather keep the tradition of a Saturday afternoon for all the reasons outlined above. I'd also like to see the AFL stick to having one prelim final at night and one during the day - like last year, where we beat the Saints on the Friday and WC played on the Saturday arvo. Having both on the Saturday would be ideal, to give both winning teams equal rest. What happened in 2004, where Brisbane had to travel to Melbourne to 'host' their prelim, yet had a whole day less rest than Port, was a joke.

PS. I saw an article on SMH online a day or so ago flagging the possibility of a night GF, so I guess that's where this talk is coming from.

[Destructive]

I would'nt mind a saturday night garannie, since all the other finals are now played at night. But a sunday night AFL grannie just would'nt be right.

[Carolyn]

What's wrong with the Grand Final on Saturday afternoon?

[goswannie14]

I think it will eventually be a night GF. BUT, it will never be on Sunday night. That is a stupid time for a GF unless it is a long weekend. hard enough for locals to get to let alone interstaters and country people.

[ugg]

I hate it. First the NRL, then the Australian Open moved to night time for the big decider. It just feels....weird. Having grown up watching grand finals in the afternoon I just couldn't imagine it being played at night.

[GoSouth33]

I reckon they should think about it, toss it around, shake it, smell it, question it, debate it and fully and exhaustively consider it, and then, CAN the idea forever, NEVER to see the light of day again!

[Zlatorog]

You guys are delusional. If the TV networks decide they want to move it, they will. They paid big bucks for the rights and AFL will give it a nod in the end. I'm sure it will be a night game, the only question will remain is whether it's going to be on Saturday or Sunday.

[giant]

It doesn't feel right does it? Still, it will happen sooner rather than later one suspects.

[573v30]

Originally posted by Carolyn
What's wrong with the Grand Final on Saturday afternoon?

There's nothing wrong with that. In the event they do host the Grand Final at night, it'll probably take place after the Kangaroos have either merged or changed location...

[Tuesday]

I dont care, so long as I can be close to Ryan O'Keefe.

[ScottH]

Who cares, as long as we win it!!