Footy fans get a big win as the AFL finally listens to them and a makes change they’ve been demanding for YEARS
- League has listened to complaints in deciding the 2024 draw
- Fans demand change season after season
- Decision is a win for supporters with young children
The change to Friday night football that fans have been asking for for years will become a reality next season, with primetime Friday night games now starting earlier and providing a big win for the supporters.
On Thursday, the AFL and Channel Seven reached an agreement to push kick-off back 10 minutes so that matches start at 7.40pm.
The 7.50pm kick-off was a source of anger and frustration for fans who wanted an earlier revival for various reasons.
The new kick-off time for Friday evening games will certainly appeal to fans with young children, who have been clamoring for the change for several seasons
Footy supporters who attend matches in person will also welcome the change to what AFL CEO Andrew Dillon called the league’s “cornerstone of growth”
Many demanded a change in the kick-off time so that their young children could stay up and watch the end of the Friday night games, which are usually among the best matches of a given round.
Others felt that moving to an earlier time would allow more fans to tune in to the broadcast, and make life easier for fans who want to attend the broadcast in person, only to be faced with a long and busy trip and then go home. .
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon was quick to praise the change on Thursday.
“Since its inception more than three decades ago, Friday night footy has been the cornerstone of the growth of our national competition,” he said.
However, fans may not be too happy about the change to the kick-off time for the Thursday night matches, which will be held over the first 14 rounds (Photo: Collingwood fans celebrate their grand final victory)
‘Matches under the Friday night lights have consistently delivered our largest crowds and our largest national TV audiences.
“Fans are the core of our game. The feedback has been strong and clear about starting the Friday night matches earlier and I am pleased that we have been able to deliver results for them in partnership with Channel 7.”
The news came just hours before the full 2024 draw was announced.
Matches for the first 14 rounds are expected to take place on Thursday evening.
Unlike the Friday night games, kick-off for those games has reportedly been moved from 7:20 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The number of games on Thursday evenings is a big change from the 2023 season, when they were held eleven times throughout the year.