The AFL Commission has confirmed this year’s grand final will revert to its traditional start time of 2.30pm.
It follows a night grand final at the Gabba in 2020 and a twilight start in Perth last year, both seasons that were disrupted by COVID-19.
The expectation had been that this year’s decider, which will be played at the MCG on Saturday, September 24, would also be a twilight match.
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However, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has conceded that the tradition of the 2.30pm start won over in the end.
“Prior to the start of this season, we emphasised that after two really challenging years, we all yearned to return to the footy rituals and routines that set the rhythms of our lives, to continue to focus on getting back to football and going to football as we know it,” he said.
“That return-to-rituals principle underpinned our decision making in ratifying a traditional start time – the prestige, nostalgia and atmosphere of the day grand final is something we all know and love.”
Earlier this week, Footy Classified hosts Caroline Wilson and Eddie McGuire clashed over the start time, with Wilson favouring a return to 2.30pm, while McGuire advocated a evening start that he said would bring more money into the game’s coffers.
“Our role is to deliver fans the best possible game experience, whether that be at the match or the millions watching the broadcast,” McLachlan said.
“We remain committed to creating an amazing event, and seeing 100,000 fans return to the MCG on that last Saturday in September.
“The 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final is sure to be a fantastic spectacle for both the fans in the stadium and the millions watching around the country and overseas.”
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