League eyes timeslot switch for AFLW GF

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THE AFL is seriously considering the prospect of a first-ever nighttime grand final for this season’s NAB AFLW decider.

While a final decision is yet to be made, the League recently surveyed clubs and key stakeholders about the potential of the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final, which will be held under lights in a primetime position for the first time.

While a date of November 30 has been setThe venue for the Grand Final remains unknown as AFLW rules dictate that it be hosted by the highest ranked qualifier, although clubs have become aware that it is now a possibility that the season’s showpiece event will be played in the evening , regardless of where it is held.

It would also likely mean that the finals campaign includes a series of Friday-Saturday finals, split between the semi-finals and preliminary finals weekend to ensure sufficient breaks ahead of a potential grand final on Saturday evening, similar to what happens in the men’s competition.

The potential of a nighttime grand final comes as the League continues to assess the AFLW’s position in the calendar, with the AFL also considering an earlier start time for its 2025 season.

The possibility of the season starting earlier would allow for more crossover in matches with the men’s competition, as well as a shorter turnaround time between their respective grand finals.

The AFL has been flexible in the timing of the AFLW Grand Finals throughout the competition’s short eight-season history, with four so far held on Saturdays and three – including the last two – on Sundays.

Last year’s decider between North Melbourne and Brisbane was held at Ikon Park on Sunday at 2:30pm AEDT, the latest start time in AFLW history to date, but still in the traditional afternoon timeslot.

The AFL has explored the potential of a twilight or night grand final for its men’s competition, but has only experimented with staging its showpiece event under lights during Covid-19 interrupted campaigns in 2020 and 2021.

The 2020 grand final, held in Queensland, was played in the evening, while the 2021 decider in Western Australia was played in a twilight position at 5.15pm local time.