Should there be a night grand final?

[Beej]

The Geelong v Collingwood prelim apparently rated through the roof and since then there has been increasing pressure from networks to make the grand final an evening fixture.

Although more people tuned in to the AFL grand final than the NRL grand final, the switch from day to night has been a very successful one for League.

I know the traditionalists won't be happy but I'd love a night grand final. There's just something special about the atmosphere under the glow of lights that I really enjoy.

What say you?

[chook23]

No

[ben_fff]

God no, Grand Finals have to be during the day, you need to be able to have a bbq lunch, markers up at half time then cruise down to a oval after the game to kick a few goals.

[goodie]

No. It's one day in September

[saint66au]

NRL ratings were the lowest for 8 years this year.

Think youll find its more due to who's playing than the time its on.

TV Networks will ALWAYS want nighttime finals..its up to the governing body and the fans to resist it

[evertonfc]

Went to the NRL GF and it was an incredible atmosphere at night.

I'll stick my neck out here and say I can't wait to see a night GF.

[bozza1980]

I've went to the NRL GF in 2005, there is no doubt that there is an atmosphere surrounding sporting events held at night.

That said I think there is something special about the Grand Final being held in the afternoon and that you will lose more than you gain by shifting it.

The broadcasters will always push for a night game, but that isn't a good enough reason to move it.

[TimeToShineFellas]

We already have a pre-season Grand Final played at night.......

I am opposed to one, I reckon the most important people in the Game that count - the players - would be opposed to it too.

[Brewer]

I like the fact that AFL is somewhat unique. It has a great history and I don't see why it has to change to become more like 'other' codes.

So what if our finals are played in the afternoon? Remember that it is a lot harder to get AFL GF tickets than most other codes, so most people watch it at home or with friends. A daytime GF adds to the family atmosphere and makes it a great excuse for people to dust off the Weber for what is often the first BBQ of summer. Night finals are a more adult affair, with probably more drinking and less kids.

Similarly, so what if half the teams are based in one city? Just because that isn't true for other sports doesn't make it wrong. The game is played all over the world, and if Melbourne remains the Mecca for AFL football then so be it.

They should stop screwing with it. Ensure it is profitable, sure, but don't sell out its heritage and traditions for a few extra bucks.

[PLUGGER14]

They can play it at noon on a Wednesday for all I care just as long as the StKFC is participating

[Beej]

God no, Grand Finals have to be during the day, you need to be able to have a bbq lunch, markers up at half time then cruise down to a oval after the game to kick a few goals.

It wouldn't change that much. Substitute your kick of the footy after the game with the pub and a few lagers.

You'll still have your bbq lunch and you can still have a kick in the afternoon - only you won't have to worry about your snags being cooked in time for the first bounce.

Nice relaxing day at home with your mates talking NOTHING but footy and then a casual stroll down to the G when the brightness of those massive lights suddenly hit you. You walk into the stadium and you look up at the night sky then follow the glare of the lights all the way down to see the reflection it creates on that plush, green MCG grass.

That is football. You know it makes sense.

[Dan Warna]

phukc NO

and get up their cazaly played as well you pharkers in teh AFL.

night finals? IMO any reason why the atmosphere has been lacking is NOTHIGN to do with time, its to do with the distribution of tickets.

too many folks are non partisan, or follow a club for a day.

the reality is, if st kilda makes a GF, about 2/3 of the members wont get their tix through the club.

it will be the SC members and about 1/3 of the remaining members on a first come first serve basis and st kilda will have to dish out a fair wack of tix to their personal sponsors as well.

we want sponsors to cough up millions to support the club, fair call, but if we make the GF, well then the piper will charge his fee.

we cry that we can't get sponsorship $$ like carlton, but when we do, we will cry as a consequence we can't get GF tix.

the AFL will have to give 1/4 of all tix to the MCC, and another 1/4 to AFL members and Medallion club members, and another 1/4 to sponsors, coterie groups etc, leaving about 25k tix for actual members direct to the club.

as a consequence I'd be suprised if more than 1/4 of all the fans (given saints in the MCC and AFL and medallion club) belong to devoted fan base of each club, maybe less.

in an audience of close to a 100k thats a fair chunk of genuine atmosphere missing.

no idea how the NRL does it, but we have the reality of the MCC and AFL members taking tix, which interestingly the state government FORCED the AFL to play their finals at the MCG instead of the proposed 150k capacity stadium at Waverley they wanted to build...

its an interesting history.

if not for MCC lobbying and state government interference, we may have had a 150k stadium in waverley with NO special entry to MCC members.

[BakesFan]

Alot of NRL supporters are pushing for a return to a day Grand Final(QLDers especially). Whilst the New South Welshman get to enjoy a public holiday the day after the NRL Grand Final; their QLD brethren don't enjoy the same luxury. They also argue that night games make it tough for younger supporters.

[st.byron]

I'm opposed to a night grand final. The afternoon creates an opportunity for a family and friends get together to watch the game and then you can go out and celebrate or commiserate whatever the result.
Also, for the players it would be tougher than the current arrangement. Waiting all day, you can't get any fitter or develop any strategies in six or seven hours, so they'd be waiting all day for the game.
Re atmosphere, I agree that the atmosphere is largely to do with the way the tickets are distributed. I remember going to every GF between 1976 and 1982 when you could still get tickets through a lottery type system in the paper if you weren't a member of a competing club. Those games had real atmosphere because they were largely patronised by geniune footy fans, not corporates who only go to one game a year.
Leave it as it is, I reckon.

[Stephen Theodore]

No way, leave the last bit of tradition alone. (and bring back Up There Cazaly)

[Shades]

No. It's one day in September

agree

[saintsrule]

just one straight answer NO!!

[Richter]

I like the fact that AFL is somewhat unique. It has a great history and I don't see why it has to change to become more like 'other' codes.

I hail from the UK where we have always had a Saturday afternoon FA Cup final. This year I really felt the same way as I did as a kid, waking up and feeling a tingle just because its the big day - even though your own team is not involved.

IMO this would not be the same if there was an evening GF. It would just mean stretching out the pre-game nonsense too long.

No to an evening GF.

[MCG-Unit]

No nite GF thanx - leave it alone

[saintspremiers]

Have a sook Dan, just because you're not an MCC member and I am!

Why build a megalithic stadium in outer Melbourne, which VFL Park was/is.....The Dome and MCG is a much better fit, better transport and both CBD based where all the action is!

As for the night grand final, why not a twilight one as Dimwit is pressing/suggesting?

Start at 5.00pm, finish at about 7.40pm - I reckon it's a good each way bet and from what I gather twilight H&A games rated very well on Fuxtel.

[Dal_Santos_Gal]

No way, leave the last bit of tradition alone. (and bring back Up There Cazaly)

ditto

TRADITION 110% not much of that left in footy these days. people complain how the AFL are changing the game to much, lets take the only thing away that has lasted the test of time.

[CarlosA]

Whether it be during the day or the Grandy full of theatre goers the reality is that the atmosphere at the GF is a disgrace and a embarrisment for the AFLs Showpiece event.

[Baldock Rules]

Over my dead body!!!!

[Launcestonsaint]

Keep it as the day game.

Although a Friday night Grand Final would give us an extra day to celebrate.

[The_Dud]

NO WAY

the AFL should tell the TV stations to go and get rooted, not everything is about ratings

and i think alot of NRL supports wish their GF was during the day again, and moving to a night GF was a terrible decision