Professional rugby league has a 110-year history in Australia, and in every year up to and including 2000 the grand final was played in the afternoon.
The first-ever night-time grand final was played in 2001, and that continued until 2007. From 2008 until 2012 the grand final was a twilight match, but from 2013 it was moved back to being a night game.
The reasoning behind the night-time shift is simply because of television networks and what they want. Channel 9 pay huge money for the NRL to schedule the grand final at night as they believe they can attract bigger ratings.
I don’t see the reasoning behind a difference in ratings between a grand final played in the afternoon or at night. It’s the biggest game of the year, of course people are going to watch it – no matter what time it’s on.
The AFL grand final has always started at 2:30pm. The AFL has been tempted to change it to a later start time, but they haven’t yet been convinced to pull the trigger.
If the grand final was on at 2 o’clock in the morning, I’m sure they’d still get millions of people watching it on TV in Australia. People just love footy and they’ll watch it whenever it’s on TV.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
So in 2018, for the sixth consecutive year and 18 years since the last day grand final, the 2018 NRL grand final will be a night time clash.
If it was a day game, families could gather round and have a barbecue to celebrate. Celebrations can last longer, from the evening until late into the night and throughout the week.
Usually there are three matches on grand final day, and this year is no exception – in 2018 there is the NRL Women’s premiership match followed by the state championship game and then the NRL grand final in the evening.
Why not play the Women’s grand final on the Friday Night? The state championship game should then be scrapped to have just the NRL grand final as the only match played on the main day.
So, Roarers, what are your thoughts? Do you agree with my idea to have the grand final kick off at 3pm or do you prefer the night-time game?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Dariusz Krol
Guest
The Grand final has lost it's family connections since moving to be a night time event. It should be more than just being about night time TV numbers. Through BBQ's and daytime get togethers, the engagement in the game within the community was much higher - and much better for the game. Bring back a 3pm Grand Final, and reconnect with people!
jirskyr
Guest
I agree - return to daytime GF. There is an argument to be made that it's only nostalgia, e.g. the Origins are night time and nobody complains, and I say "so what?" What I truly miss is the ability to debrief after the game, esp if you have kids and need to get home. 19:30 kickoff means FT at 21:30, and if you've been at someone's house all day, you are tired and everyone starts to move off home, but you haven't discussed the game. In an arvo GF, you eat your BBQ lunch, strap into the footy with a beer at 14:00, then dessert and debrief from 16:00. Peck at some leftovers at what would normally be your dinner time, help clean up and head home around 20:00. And you can get to the host's place around midday, having watched the juniors run around whilst waiting for your wife or husband to get dressed, then reserve grade whilst you catch up with your friends and mull over lunch. But it's the debrief that's missing - the ability to spend an hour or three after the game, talking about what happened, about the impending summer, about school holidays, and not having to scurry off home because it's late and your kids are stroppy. Public holiday Monday is irrelevant.
Niall Mcnicol
Guest
As a country supporter. I would like to see the Grand Final as an afternoon match we can drive 5-6 hours down in the morning and then it's not to late to drive home. Otherwise we have the added expense of accommodation and that's why I havn't been to a grand final in over twenty years.
Over here
Roar Rookie
I prefer the daytime GF. I liked the 2 lead games, you get a chance to watch the young guys who might be the next superstars.
Nat
Roar Guru
I prefer the day game as well. Not only for the timing but the quality of the game itself. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it out of 'ratings season' anyway? League fans are going to watch irrispective of the time, maybe they are trying to get those non-league fans to commit by having it at a later time after they've done their Sunday outings. Can't agree with the stand alone game though. I love having 3 games. I follow Qld ISP reasonably closely and it's interesting to see how they match up against NSW (although disappointed with PNG last yr considering how they played all season. Very Deer in the headlights). But yeah, first beers at w/ lunch, 2 games, may be a swim, 4pm kickoff, 6:30 BBQ dinner and asleep by 10pm. Great day.
Jon
Guest
Surely you must be kidding if you think ch9 will get the same viewers day or night. Do you think most women watch the NRL GF? It's also long weekend so having it at night means the whipped dads can spend the day with kids & wife & then when the kids neeed to be indoors at night, dads can then watch it without repercussions
clipper
Roar Rookie
Disagree that the same number of people would watch at whatever time it was on - especially the example you gave - 2am in the morning. Many people would, but this is why ch9 wanted it at that time - more people will watch, hence the expression prime time. There would be many fans of the Block or my kitchen rules that would watch whatever time the final was on, but many more casual fans will watch during prime time. Don't think it will change anytime soon.
gurudoright
Roar Rookie
Growing up in the 80’s, I still look back fondly on Day Grand Finals. I still remember the bbqs with family friends and playing front yard footy before the big game. I remember there still being enough daylight left to reenact the great moves in the grand final like the 1980 Steve Gearin try and the 1981 Brett Kenny dummy. I look at my youngest son now who is knackered even before kickoff. The NRL are denying kids the treasured memories I had growing up.
RM
Guest
Absolutely. I assume the number-crunchers for both the TV companies and the NRL have looked at the ratings for day vs night Grand Finals, and come up with an answer that justifies the night time kickoff, but from a fan's perspective I'd much, much rather see a daytime match for the biggest game of the year.
Cedric
Guest
pretty sure NZ daylight saving starts a week before NSW, therefore it's going to be a 10.30pm kickoff in NZ. I know we are only the poor cousins blah blah.....and we don't have the Monday holiday like you guys in NSW. I recall when I lived in Oz it was great, I think the finals kicked off before lunch time with maybe under 23s'. The timing will cancel out a lot of NZ viewers and many bbq events surrounding the game just won't happen. It's a shame, bring back the afternoon game!
Old Greg
Guest
I was in NZ when the Warriors made the GF in 2002, and kick off was 10:00pm NZDST (7:00pm in Sydney).
Paul
Roar Guru
I completely agree with an afternoon grand final, Tim and your points about why people would prefer this time are exactly right. I also think the game should be stand alone, just as the major final games are around the world. There should be no need for lead up games in this day and age. People watching on TV will be assaulted with all sorts of talking head type shows while those at the grounds could be kept amused with highlights of each team's season, previous GF wins, etc.