THE AFL commission will revisit one of the game’s most contentious topics next week when a call is made on when the grand final starts.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said he will present a recommendation on whether it should stay an afternoon match, move to a twilight start or become a night game.
But he would not be drawn on what his advice will be.
“I have a recommendation going to the commission next week … we aim to have a decision next week,” he said.
The commission previously has debated the issue once the season had started and always gone for the status quo.
McLachlan said nothing should be read into the issue being looked at during the week of the AFL season launch.
He continues to think a later start time is inevitable, but “that’s a view about at some point in the future”.
McLachlan also noted that the West Coast-Collingwood grand final was an epic.
“Last year’s grand final was one of the best days of sport I’ve been to … what a day,” he said.
McLachlan said much of the feedback he receives is not to move the start time.
“Every room I walk into, every online survey, every focus group – the majority want to keep it,” he said.
“You will find incumbency often prevails.”
© AAP 2019
