AFL urged to not follow in NRL's footsteps amid broadcaster's 'prime time' grand final plea

The AFL and Channel Seven are anticipating some of the highest grand final ratings in the league's history but the free-to-air broadcaster believes it could have broken the record if the first bounce was moved to the night. Swans grand finals have regularly led to significant bumps in viewership, with the addition of the non-AFL heartland NSW market helping bolster the ratings.

A whopping 4.12 million people watching their 2016 grand final loss to the Western Bulldogs. While the Lions featuring in the big dance will have a similar but not as substantial impact, with 3.4 million Australians tuning in for their narrow grand final defeat to Collingwood 12 months ago. But despite the massive viewership projections for 2024, Seven West Media's director of sport Chris Jones has called for the AFL to follow the NRL's lead and move the grand final to a night timeslot.

"I think it’s amazing (to have a Sydney-Brisbane grand final) because we’ve got two Victorian teams represented in South Melbourne and Fitzroy, and we’ve got Sydney and Brisbane represented, so there’s a little something in it for everyone,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, historically, will watch the grand final, regardless of who’s playing. NSW and Queensland are very much our growth markets, and we’ve seen fantastic results there this year. “Imagine how good it would be if it was in prime time, which clearly is the preference?"

"From a free-to-air perspective, a prime-time grand final would allow more Australians to see the grand final than a twilight grand final (but) a twilight grand final would allow more Australians to watch the grand final than a daytime grand final."

The AFL's traditional grand final start time of 2.30pm (AEST), has been under threat in recent years, with the broadcaster urging the league to push it back from the Saturday afternoon timeslot to twilight or ideally nighttime. The NRL grand final, by contrast, is played on a Sunday night -which is typically seen as the ‘prime time’ television spot. Both AFL semi and preliminary finals are scheduled in prime time slots, with the Lions’ preliminary final win over Geelong beginning at 5.15pm (AEST) on Saturday – which is viewed by many as the ideal time for a grand final to begin.

The preliminary final reached 3.22 million people nationally, according to Seven, with a national TV audience of 1.32 million. While Friday night’s Sydney-Port Adelaide semi racked up 3.02 million, including a national audience of 1.18 million. Seven have also stated that all eight finals games this year have rated No.1 in their time slots for people, 25 to 54, and 16 to 39.

AFL Fans Association demand 2.30pm time slot is preserved

However, AFL fans overwhelmingly continue to oppose the change. An incredible 83 per cent of supporters are against a move to the evening or night, according to the AFL Fans Association.

And following the confirmation of a 2.30pm first bounce for the 2024 AFL grand final, president of the AFL Fans Association, Ron Issko, thanked the league for listening to fans and stated that the 2.30pm time slot should be locked in for at least the next five years as it is what the fans want.

"For years, surveys and polls have consistently indicated that over 75 per cent of fans prefer a daytime game," Issko said. "When this many fans agree, it’s time to recognise that’s what fans want for the foreseeable future,” Ron stated.

"We appreciate the AFL for acknowledging the vast majority and keeping the Grand Final in its beloved afternoon slot. Perhaps we can lock in the day Grand Final for the next five years, so we aren't left waiting until August to find out."

RELATED:

• AFL great questions Geelong's delayed Max Holmes decision in loss

• Butters in classy act for Rampe as Swans star escapes grand final drama

• New details emerge after Geelong rocked by coach's scary collapse

"The excitement and atmosphere at the stadium and home lunchtime BBQs are eagerly anticipated each year. The day is perfectly divided between pre-game festivities, the match itself, and ample time afterwards to celebrate with friends, family, and kids. Thank you, Andrew (AFL CEO Andrew Newbold), for listening to the fans, and let’s now lock in the daytime Grand Final until 2030 before we debate it again." Following the AFL's announcement that the first bounce would be at 2.30pm, fans took to X to urge the league to not give in to pressure to change the time in the years to come.