The AFL has confirmed the 2021 grand ultimate will return to its conventional afternoon begin time.
Key factors:
- The AFL moved to an evening grand ultimate throughout its coronavirus-hit 2020 season
- It was the primary time the grand ultimate was performed within the night
- The AFL says it’s expects followers will assist the return to the afternoon timeslot
The league mentioned the grand ultimate would start at 2:30pm (AEST) on September 25 after the 2020 season decider, performed on the Gabba in Brisbane, was contested within the night.
The choice to play final yr’s grand ultimate at evening time was made in the course of the league’s coronavirus-disrupted season.
It was the primary grand ultimate to be performed each at evening and out of doors Victoria.
AFL chief government Gillon McLachlan mentioned he anticipated followers to welcome the transfer again to a day grand ultimate.
“We all know that season 2020 was a singular season, and by necessity, we needed to make some distinctive selections surrounding the competitors together with transferring most groups to Queensland and transferring the grand ultimate and the beginning time for the primary time in its historical past,” he mentioned in an announcement.
“The build-up and occasion in Queensland was an enormous success.
“Our members and supporters have been unimaginable in persevering with to assist their groups final yr and they’re wanting a season the place they’ll return to among the traditions and rituals round footy,
“Finally, the AFL Fee determined that whereas we are going to maintain among the distinctive elements of the 2020 season, the status, nostalgia and environment of the day grand ultimate is one thing that folks can stay up for.”
McLachlan mentioned the AFL was hopeful the grand ultimate may very well be contested in entrance of a full-capacity crowd at its conventional venue, the MCG.
“We nonetheless have a whole lot of work as a league and a group to get to the end line, however I might love nothing greater than to see 100,000 again on the MCG on the final Saturday in September,” he mentioned.
As an alternative of a totally fledged evening match, the AFL did take into account the concept of a twilight grand ultimate this yr.
However a return to a day slot is certain to please a big contingent of the league’s followers, who respect the custom of a day match.
Richmond gained its third premiership in 4 years by defeating Geelong beneath lights on the Gabba in Brisbane final October.
Coronavirus problems noticed the majority of final yr’s schedule, together with your complete finals sequence, performed exterior of Victoria.
ABC/AAP