No twilight grand final in 2018, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan confirms

THE AFL grand final will retain its 2.30pm start time this season, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed in Perth on Friday afternoon.

Following a meeting of the AFL Commission, McLachlan said the league was not confident enough measures were in place to move to start time back.

“I think the commission considered views about where the footy community is and what they wanted and if we’re going to move we want to make sure every aspect of the move is where you’d want it to be.

“We’ll just review it each year. There’s some merit in changing it but to do you need to be comfortable everything is right.

“I think all the things come together to, on balance, keep it where it is.”

It comes after the AFL earlier this month agreed to extend the deal for the MCG to host each season’s decider until at least 2058.

A record crowd is expected for the first derby at Optus Stadium on Sunday

THE AFL grand final will retain its 2.30pm start time this season, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed in Perth on Friday afternoon.

Following a meeting of the AFL Commission, McLachlan said the league was not confident enough measures were in place to move to start time back, also taking into account the views of the football community.

It comes after the AFL earlier this month agreed to extend the deal for the MCG to host each season’s decider until at least 2058.

More to come...