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Bold, imaginative, progressive: AFLW Grand Final prime-time move was the right call
Gerard Whateley • November 7th, 2024 2:08 pm
The AFLW has seized this opportunity by announcing a night Grand Final.
It would be hard to argue the League has done all within its power to maximise attendance and viewership this season, but the placement of the Grand Final as a night fixture is precisely the point of difference the fledgling competition needs.
It’s why I think AFLW should adopt extra time for drawn games in the regular season. Don’t be bound by traditions from the men’s competition that have no relevance to a start-up.
Be bold, be imaginative and be progressive.
It is a linear equation that more viewers watch television in prime time and sport the world over has migrated to night to take advantage.
The League has the chance – actually it has the responsibility - to build a spectacle around the women’s Grand Final.
I heard it suggested this is a test case for the AFL Grand Final, that’s nonsense. The AFLW Grand Final is its own entity, and the League is duty bound to create an appropriate show case.
It already feels like a bigger event in prospect with a Saturday night slot rather than a sleepy Sunday afternoon.
“We ultimately made a decision that would or could watch the women’s Grand Final in that timeslot around the country,” Laura Kane said at the official announcement.
“Growth is the number one focus, and I think the girls I’ve been in touch with are really excited to play under lights. It changes the spectacle of it all.
“Here we have an opportunity to do things differently, we don’t have the same history (as the men’s competition), we have a different proposition and a different product, we think that we can do things to mix it up a little bit.”
So, it’s a good start. In time it will need to stretch to the choice of venue as well.
A couple of those Adelaide Oval AFLW Grand Finals drew huge crowds - 53,034 in 2019 immediately comes to mind.
Have a look at what happened at the final of the Women’s FA Cup - 76,082 were at Wembley in May.
The challenge is there for the AFL, and they should get after it relentlessly.
