No

THIS argument doesn't have to be about tradition, it doesn't have to be about TV ratings and it certainly doesn't have to be about fireworks. 

The new broadcast agreement which begins in 2017 offers the chance to introduce a twilight or a night Grand Final, but this is an argument about common sense. What is the point of sitting around all day waiting for the game? What would everyone do? 

Can you imagine being a player, sitting around until 7.50pm to play the biggest game of your life? 

Not to mention the wait for fans. If a champagne breakfast turns into a beer-fuelled Saturday session at the pub, you're going to end up with a whole lot of heavily boozed people on the streets of Melbourne, and that's before the game. 

Anyway, for the sake of the argument, let's go through those other points and dispense with them as well.

Everyone who wants a night Grand Final talks about fireworks and the accompanying entertainment. But all of this is surely a sideshow to the main game, which is the game.

The biggest argument for a switch is primetime TV ratings. Who really cares? Why does it matter? Everyone who's even mildly interested watches the game anyway. The ratings system is relatively flawed and doesn't take into account the millions of people watching collectively at pubs and barbeques across the country.

I don't want the Grand Final to remain during the day because of tradition, I want it to stay in the afternoon where it's where it makes sense.  

As it stands, it's perfect – Grand Final breakfast, game in the arvo, celebrations at night. 

There's simply nothing to be gained from bouncing the ball at night. - Matt Thompson

Sam Mitchell shares the premiership joy with his children. Picture: AFL Media

Yes

THIS isn't just the right time to introduce a twilight/night Grand Final to footy fans around Australia … it's overdue.

Traditionalists will argue there's no need to change the biggest day on the footy calendar, but it's wrong to stop our great game from taking yet another step forward.

Our code has undergone some significant transformations over the past 20 years, leading the way with its stance on racism and becoming the most multicultural code in Australia by welcoming anyone who wants to play. Such things have transformed the AFL into a 21st century phenomenon.

Forget the talk about it being better with fireworks and the like. AFL Grand Final day is about the game, and a twilight/night event changes nothing apart from some of the playing conditions.

Some will say that we shouldn't make the players wait around all day for the biggest game of their lives, but they're professional athletes who are used to playing twilight/night fixtures, and most play them more often than a traditional 2.30pm first bounce.

Players are more professional than ever so to suggest they'll be affected by a later game is absurd.

Lets also not forget that this is a national code, so a later start time allows those in Western Australia – remember that both Perth-based teams finished inside the top four last season and made preliminary finals – to start their day at a reasonable hour.

Our game has changed and the finale needs to move with the times as well. – Adam Curley