AFL finally gives in and agrees to change Grand Final schedule in huge move to ‘increase exposure’
- League bosses have considered the change
- This step is intended to increase awareness of the showpiece event
A nighttime grand final will be held for the first time in AFLW history, according to a ruling by the competition committee which could also scrutinize next year’s men’s decider.
AFLW boss Emma Moore said the decision to stage the match on Saturday, November 30 at 7.45pm eastern daylight time would ‘expose more people to our great game’.
Ikon Park (North Melbourne and Hawthorn), Springfield (Brisbane) and Norwood Oval (Adelaide) were the most likely venues to host the clash, with the host again expected to be the highest-ranked winner of the preliminary final.
AFL football boss Laura Kane ruled out the prospect of Marvel Stadium being used if a Victorian side were to host the grand final.
Kane said the AFLW had the opportunity to “do things differently” to the AFL when it came to grand final time, but when asked if the men’s competition could follow suit, she said: “I don’t expect that question to slow down’ .
The AFL has confirmed that an AFLW evening final will be held for the first time on November 30. Photo: Martin Keep/Getty Images
There are hopes that by staging the AFLW Grand Final at night, the men’s final could follow suit
“We have obviously experimented with twilight (grand finals) during Covid – this is different… this takes into account very clear growth, statistics and input,” Kane said on Wednesday.
“This decision was made by (the AFL Commission), which we welcomed. The decision for the men will still be made by the committee.
‘But I think we have an opportunity here to do things differently. We don’t have the same history, we have a different proposition, a different product, and we think we can do things to mix it up a little bit.”
Moore, who is in her first season as AFLW general manager, said the change to a night game could bring new audiences.
“This will allow more people to watch the biggest match on the AFLW calendar, introducing more people to our great competition and creating an unforgettable atmosphere to end the season,” she said.
‘It will also provide a dazzling spectacle for the grand finale entertainment, which will be announced shortly.’
It is hoped that the changes can attract new audiences from around the world
Hawthorn’s Round 10 AFLW victory earned the Hawks men’s and women’s players significant cash bonuses as they claimed the $1 million McClelland Trophy prize – even though Brisbane could win both premierships. Photo: Michael Willson/Getty Images
There have been calls for some time for AFL boss Andrew Dillon to consider hosting the men’s showpiece final later this evening
The chosen time slot meant that if fifth-placed Fremantle were to host the decider, it would technically be a twilight match with a 4.45pm local time start.
Adelaide and Port Adelaide champion Erin Phillips will become the ambassador of the AFLW Premiership Cup, adding Tasmania to the cup’s national tour during the finals.
Moore also batted away criticism of the points system for the $1 million McClelland Trophy, which Hawthorn narrowly won against Brisbane due to the Hawks’ superior combined home-and-away record among the men’s and women’s teams.
It comes after the Lions, who finished second in the AFL last season and claimed the AFLW flag, had already missed out on the 2023 prize money for Melbourne, with both teams knocked out of the finals in straight sets.
“I think the great thing about the McClelland Trophy is that it actually gives us something that rewards home and away performance,” Moore said.
‘It’s in a wonderful place because it allows us to highlight for each club what happens during the home and away season so I think that’s really unique so I can’t imagine why we would review that .’