AFL decides against twilight grand final

The 2017 AFL grand final will bounce at 2.30pm again after the AFL decided against moving to a twilight fixture.

The governing body has been deliberating for some time on whether to move the September 30 game to a late-afternoon start.

Chief executive Gillon McLachlan said recently that there was "broad support" among fans for a twilight game but this week recommended that the AFL Commission stick with the traditional time slot.

"We’re going to keep it where it is," McLachlan said on ABC radio.

“The last three weeks, what’s been put out there is to have a chat. There hasn’t been anything really scientific about it but in the end we feel 2.30pm is what we want to do in 2017 because of a heap of issues."

The AFL has been heavily influenced by the NFL Super Bowl and NRL grand final in pushing for a night fixture, buoyed by the entertainment opportunities it would provide.

Seven News chief football reporter Mark Stevens said this week that the AFL would target a "top-tier act" such as Foo Fighters or U2 for a first twilight grand final.

While many fans believed the change was inevitable - and may still be - it appears McLachlan did not feel the move to a twilight fixture would be accepted this year.

In recent seasons the Saturday preliminary final has been brought forward from a night game to a twilight bounce to accommodate immediate travel for the winning team.

Three of the last four have been hosted outside Victoria, but in 2014 a 4.45pm preliminary final between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide drew 74,856 to the MCG.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who's guided the club to four victorious grand final appearances, backed a twilight or night grand final.

"It's something that's much better for television, sponsorship and viewership. I think at some point in time it's going to change," Clarkson told reporters.

"Maybe it's just exploratory for a year or two. If it works, it could be a bonanza for the AFL and everyone involved in the game. If it doesn't, what do you have to lose - just go back to 2.30."

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin was non-committal when asked his reaction to the decision.

"Afternoon footy's always nice when the sun's out for whoever it is who's playing," Cotchin told Melbourne radio station SEN on Friday.

"I think when the AFL powers asked most of the captains, we all said if we're in the grand final, we don't really care when it's played."

- with AAP