Speculation is mounting that the AFL is leaning towards an historic shift to a twilight MCG Grand Final as soon as this year, with the Commission bracing for a huge call.
The timing of the decider has long been debated, especially when the 2020 and 2021 matches were moved from the usual afternoon slot due to the impact of COVID-19, but this year it is reaching fever pitch.
Richmond won at the Gabba against Geelong under the lights, while Melbourne broke its 57-premiership drought as the sun set in Western Australia, demolishing the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
But a decision to play the MCG decider in a twlight slot would be a seismic shift, Channel Seven's The Agenda Setters adding more fuel with fresh detail on last night's program - including speculation that Kylie Minogue could be the headline music act.
Snoop Dogg was last year's entertainment, and despite initial criticism over his selection, was praised for his performance on the hallowed turf at the MCG.
He followed Katy Perry (2024), rock band KISS (2023) and Robbie Williams (2022) since the competition has emerged out of the COVID-19 impacted years.
Former spearhead Brendan Fevola told the Fifi, Fev and Nick radio show this morning that he backed tradition.
"I love a Grand Final at 2:30… I don't like change. It should be a red Sherrin; if it's a night-time grand final, it'll be a yellow Sherrin," Fevola said.
"They want the big spectacle of half-time fireworks and carry-on like the Superbowl. This is not the Superbowl, it's our game… the AFL. If Kylie wants to do it, she can do it at 1:30 like everybody else…”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has always been in favour of the 2:30pm (AEST) match but says the decision will be in the hands of the Commission, which is now led by Craig Drummond following Richard Goyder's departure.
"Any discussions about that will be decisions of the Commission. We'll run all of those decisions through the filter of our three focuses for this year — what's best for the footy, our fans and future," Dillon said earlier this month.
"I imagine that will be a decision on the Commissioner's agenda pretty shortly.
"Our next Commission meeting is in sort of late April, early May. I imagine there will be a decision made at that meeting."
The timeslot for the 2025 grand final was confirmed in June.
