It shapes as the debate that is set to split the nation. Should the AFL Grand Final remain in its current daytime slot or should it be played at night?

It could also be the debate that divides the crowd at the 2015 Blackwoods North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast. So before you join us for a morning of fun and entertainment at the Plenary, two NMFC staff members have provided us with their respective points of view…

Case for night Grand Final

Jake Walsh

I’m sure in 1985 people laughed at the North Melbourne Football Club when they pioneered Friday night footy under the bright lights of the MCG.

Fast forward 30 years and it is the most sought after timeslot of the weekend – put simply, nowadays you couldn’t imagine an alternative start to the weekend of footy.

That change wouldn’t have happened without the then VFL taking a huge risk; and without taking another risk we cannot become what we need to become by remaining what we currently are.

2015 is the year of the fan. It’s also the year the Socceroos won the Asian Cup and the first time basketball became relevant in this country for almost a decade.

The message is: the challengers are coming.

They all want to become Australia’s Code, and unless we are constantly evolving and exploring new frontiers, we are giving them every chance to catch us.

Whether you like it or not – the AFL is a business which means it must endeavour to engage both the entertainment fan as well as the sporting fan.

The Grand Final is our showpiece event, and being that, we must ensure that it delivers the ’whole package’.

Unfortunately for the traditionalists among us that simply can’t be done in the daylight hours.

Now I know a lot of Australians hate it when people use the Super Bowl as a point of reference, but to ignore the entertainment spectacular that they produce on a yearly basis would not only be naïve, it would also be archaic.

Plain and simple, it’s the perfect model to copy. The entertainment doesn’t detract from the on-field show, it enhances it through a wider engagement of the crowd in attendance.

I mean just as many pay for a ticket, or tune in around the world to watch Katy Perry sing Teenage Dream as those who paid their money purely to watch Russell Wilson to go head to head with Tom Brady.

People who say that it’s ‘tradition’ and ‘we need to respect that’ also need to understand that just because something has always been done a certain way, that doesn’t mean it’s right.

Those who suggest that the night time will detract from the quality of play are way off the mark.

The Preliminary Final between the Hawks and Power last year kicked off at 4.40pm: the umpire bounced the ball in the afternoon sun and the final siren sounded in early evening darkness – what took place for the 120 minutes of pure football brutality in between was simply breathtaking.

It was the best game of the year, played in its best time slot.

It’s early enough for the kids to stay up and watch, and it allows the off-field entertainers to showcase the world’s most liveable city in all its glory.

A concert from an international superstar at half-time and close it all with a spectacular firework display along the iconic Yarra River.

I can picture it now, can’t you?

Purchase this year's Blackwoods Grand Final Breakfast and Toyota AFL Grand Final tickets

Case against night Grand Final

Paul Riordan

Why change a good thing?

Since 1897, the greatest day in Australian sport has been played during daylight hours and what a spectacle it is.

Every year the two best teams battle it out in our cauldron as the sun shines down on the mighty MCG.

The talk of fireworks, laser shows and the continued trend to try and 'Americanise' of our sport won’t make it any more of a spectacle. It’s our grand day.

Night time does not entertainment make. There is no doubt the powers-that-be can still attract some of the world's biggest musical acts to perform on the day, Meatloaf aside.

That is not to say that we can't learn from the Super Bowl and all its pre-match and half-time entertainment glory and improve what’s on offer prior to the first bounce at 2.30pm – in fact it should be a priority.

After this year’s Super Bowl, the cries were loud for improved half-time entertainment here in Melbourne – but that would come at the cost of even more tradition – the Grand Final sprint would go and the poor Auskick kids would be banned from playing on the hallowed turf as portable stages and dancers took their place. Why would we want to take that away for the sake of a Top 40 artist miming their way through their latest hit.

And sure, TV ratings might rise ever so slightly if the pre-game celebrations take place at dusk, but if you aren't already blocking out the one day in September (or October) in your calendar at the start of the year, chances are you aren't going to just accidentally flick on the footy while channel surfing on a Saturday night on the couch.

Who hasn’t enjoyed one of the following on a glorious September (or October) afternoon?

- A barbeque with mates under the spring sun
- Kick-to-kick on the street, park or in the back garden at half-time
- A day out at the pub with mates, followed by dinner and endless debate about the big moments from the game
- Enjoying the post-match celebrations with your team on the ‘G and not having to rush home as the clock creeps closer to midnight

All of these moments, enjoyed by yours truly and millions more, would simply cease to exist in their current form and would be a big loss for any footy fan, young or old.

The younger fans would certainly suffer most. Parents around the country would have to battle tired and grupmy kids.

Let’s say we had a 7pm start. Based on previous years’ timings, we wouldn’t see a post-match presentation until 10pm – and that’s just not right.

We all know it’s near on impossible to get a ticket to the big day (unless of course you secure your seat with a ticket to the Blackwoods North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast), so shifting the start time later would further rob fans a chance to see their Premiership heroes at post-match events and functions.

And a final thought, if you’re not already convinced – not only would a twilight or night final take away the splendour of sitting at the ‘G on a spring afternoon, but it would also take away the beauty of seeing the red Sherrin.

Recently, the AFL reported that only 30 per cent of games in 2015 have been played with the red leather, as they become few and far between.

And it’s clear what fans prefer to see their team trying to kick between the big sticks – with 63 per cent voting the traditional red should not be dead.

So it’s obvious, leave the Grand Final where it is – it is the greatest DAY in Australia’s sporting calendar.



Purchase this year's Blackwoods Grand Final Breakfast and Toyota AFL Grand Final tickets