In the Herald Sun last week was an article about Channel Seven’s heavyweight David Leckie wanting a night grand final for the AFL.
The thought of a night grand final infuriates me. I love grand final day more than Christmas Day – even when my beloved Hawks lose.
I have grown up watching the grand final at a barbecue, surrounded by friends and family. Being a day event it brings people together; it was the one day my mum really got into the footy, chose a team and cheered like crazy.
40 people watching one screen, yelling and screaming like mad. At half time the kids (and the ‘bigger kids’) could go outside and kick the footy or score tries (depending if it was league or Aussie Rules grand final) and then come back in for the conclusion.
Festival atmosphere, emotion charged, glory to the winner. I love it and yearn for it right now, even though it’s still another 48 week away.
There’s one other factor at play – the weather. I firmly believe the grand final will be of a higher standard under the sun. The sun provides energy, gives players an extra 20% of life. The quality is simply better under the sun than stars.
Sure it could rain any year, but to me there is nothing more glorious than seeing the sun beat down while Stuart Dew nails two goals in a matter of minutes off one step, such as he did in 2008 in the third quarter. He could have slipped over during a night grand final with dew on the ground (pardon the pun).
The memories we’re left with at the end of the year, with the sun shining on the winners as they celebrate, is all part of what makes the event so valuable.
The TV executives would prefer to have 40 people watching 40 TVs (one each) as opposed to 40 people watching one TV. This would help ratings, which leads to more advertising. More importantly perhaps, there is less chance during the advertisements of us turning to the person next to us in the break to chat.
A night grand final has a higher probability of us sitting in front of the TV like zombies than bothering to get together with friends for an entirely different experience.
The value of a day grand final means so much to me. Does it mean much to other fans as it does to me? I think this is going to be tested over the next decade.
In the article, Andrew Demetriou said the grand final will not be switched to night on his watch, which comforted me, but I still think the threat is there that his successor may not care as much/see as much value in the festival as Andrew does.
Ultimately the game belongs to fans, not TV executives, so what we want should rule. I have an idea that I want to rebound of the Roar community, so please respond with full, frank and fearless feedback.
Would anyone else be infuriated if the AFL grand final was moved to being under the stars as opposed to under the sun?
Does anyone else believe that this threat is real?
what a laugh
Guest
The GF will be a twilight game in the not too distant future. The ratings and millions of dollars more for the AFL/Clubs will see this happen.
Dingo
Guest
I couldn't say, it might be worth trying an ABC bookshop though.
Anthony
Guest
Is that book available in usual bookshops, or only online?
Brewski
Guest
I am thinking of doing the same, that bookshop, has some real beauties.
Brewski
Guest
Wrong post :)
Dingo
Guest
I think this is the one you mean. http://www.wallawallapress.com/australian_football_peoples_game.php
Brewski
Guest
Its possible that he is dead against it, to drive the price up, i don't have a problem with the time change as the game is on at midday or thereabouts in the west, a evening GF would suit me fine, but on the other hand leaving it as it is, is OK as well.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
ironically perhaps then, that this is the one tradition Demetrious has been strongly for - and its cost money. Theres no doubt rights money would be more if the AFL caved on this, the top of the tree in Australian sports tv. Maybe when hes gone it will change.
TC
Guest
Coincidentally, I just put that book on order, along with another one that looks at where Australian Football will be in 50 years time (can't remember the name of it, it has NicNat on the front cover). TC
Brewski
Guest
http://melbourne-sports-books.myshopify.com/collections/afl-1/products/australian-rules-football-in-a-commercial-era Looking at you post, you might enjoy reading a book like this.
Anthony
Guest
I agree with you, MattRusty. But unlike other bloggers, I do not think this will happen under Demetrou's watch. There is another consideration - of all the codes, the AFL is most attuned to its fans. It is the one sport where all the clubs are member-based & not privately owned. The clubs are centered on their fans & rely on them. The AFL commission & staff are all at heart, club people - & board members get elected by the members who are passionate & vocal. This is so ingrained in Aussie Rules & part of our culture, that the tradition of that one DAY in Sep will not be easily overturned by TV interests.
Australian Rules
Guest
Demetriou has been quite resolute in saying NO to a night GF in the past. People seem to feel strongly about the Saturday arvo GF but I predict the money will be too great to deny it in the years to come.
swannies05
Roar Pro
e will adapt and learn to love it just like we do now because at the end of the day, it is the AFL Grand Final and it is the best day of the year!
swannies05
Roar Pro
"I love grand final day more than Christmas Day – even when my beloved Hawks lose." I love Christmas but I feel the exact same way, even more so this year as my beloved Swannies took home the biccies... sorry mate. I feel as though it is inevitable that one day it will move to a night GF. As mentioned by another Roarer above, advertising revenue will increase and at the end of the day, money is power. I really hope that I am wrong but in years to come, the night GF will become the 'institution' that the day game is now. W
Dingo
Guest
I knew it was a public holiday in NSW but it wasn't in QLD, where a huge chunk of the supporter base is. It has been a massive peeve for most RL fans up here since they introduced it. I believe the date of the Queens Birthday holiday has been changed now to fall around the weekend of the NRL GF, so it might not be as bad.
john
Guest
Change happen's remember when footy was only played on saturdays. No one cares so why would they now . Do you think Andrew Demitiou really cares he's only in for what he can get out of it. Let's hop e the next C.E.O. 'CARES' about the fan's.
clipper
Guest
To be fair, Dingo, the Sunday NRL GF is on the long weekend in NSW and ACT (and SA and WA, I think), so it would not be hard to organise a BBQ in those states, but you're right the $$$ do come first.
Dingo
Guest
I love the day Grand Final, but eventually I'm sure we will see it shift to either twilight or night. Who knows, maybe it will be so much better that many of us will wonder why it took so long to happen and what we were ever concerned about in the first place. The current AFL administration seem to be traditionalists when it comes to the day Grand Final, so it's unlikely we will see a shift any time soon. One thing we will never have to worry about though is a Sunday night Grand Final like they have in the NRL, that would be atrocious. Anyone can organise a Saturday evening get together with friends or family to watch the game but Sunday night, it's purely for tv ratings...........that is selling your soul for the $$$$.
Richard
Roar Guru
I agree with you. The daytime grand final is a tradition and somehow, to me, moving it to the night time would devalue it. I believe there are those in the AFL who think that too, but the power of money is strong. Of course, David Leckie doesn't care about you and me, the members and fans. He doesn't even care about the Game. He cares about the TV ratings, his advertisers, his shareholders and his bonus. So he doesn't care if his actions damage the Game - his focus is firmly on the short term - how much money his company can make out of it while he's in charge. So hopefully the AFL will resist him. After all, Channel 7 need AFL more than the AFL need Channel 7, and we're all in it for the long term.
mds1970
Roar Guru
It will happen. It’s inevitable. The Grand Final will still sell out, and tickets will be as impossible to get as they are now. Barbeques now held in the afternoon will be held in the evening. Whether the North Melbourne TV breakfast will become a lunch, or how the TV will fill in those extra few hours before the first bounce, remains to be seen. But the TV ratings will be higher than ever. We’ll adapt to it, same as every other change.