A twilight AFL grand final appears closer than ever before after AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder declared it was worth a try.

The AFL Commission will meet next week to determine the timeslot for this year’s grand final, with their decision to be announced on Thursday.

“While we’re all traditionalists, a twilight grand final with the right entertainment would be amazing,” the former Fremantle Dockers board member said.

“We asked the club captains last year and the majority of them said they’d love a twilight grand final.

“Everything has to line up - you have to take the fans with you and there has to be a good reason to do it.

“But at the right time and for the right reasons, I think we should give it a go.”

Mr Goyder’s comments echo the sentiments of AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan, who said the traditional 2.30pm starting time was bound to change eventually.

“The core of the debate is no different ... I think (a twilight or night grand final) is inevitable, but that is a view for some time in the future,” Mr McLachlan said.

“The issues, the debate, it is always the same - managing progression with tradition, you balance those two up.”

The AFL stands to gain significant revenue by ‘selling’ the timeslot to host broadcaster Channel Seven.

But Mr McLachlan said fans would be the primary focus of the commission’s final decision.

“Our broadcasters are important but this is a decision for supporters,” he said.

“The question is: could it be better by moving it a couple of hours?

“Twilight is an incredible slot. On the other hand, the tradition and history is so important. It won’t be a money thing.”

Channel Seven and Foxtel have the AFL rights until the end of 2022. There is a possibility the later timeslot could be introduced for the start of the new rights deal.