AFL fans have overwhelmingly reacted negatively to the second night Grand Final in two years as Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs go into battle at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
For the second season in a row, the AFL's pinnacle match has been held at night outside of its traditional home at the MCG because of COVID-19 reasons, with the code playing its first decider ever outside of a daytime slot in Brisbane in 2020.
But supporters have taken to social media in build up to the Demons-Bulldogs blockbuster with frustration and impatience over the 7.15pm (AEST) first bounce time.
Ok, no more night #AFLGF It's boring as hell. Can't go anywhere, can't do anything. Eaten too much already. Get rid of it. @AFL you've had your fun. No more.
— Josh (@j0saka) September 25, 2021
This just HAS TO BE the last ever late afternoon/night Grand Final, absolutely shocking to have to wait all day for it.#AFL #AFLGF #AflDeesDogs
— rickpowell (@RickPowell13) September 25, 2021
Night GF can get in the bin, just throws the whole day off. I don’t know if I could manage with my team in it. #AFLGF
— Katie Lambeski (@katielambeski) September 25, 2021
Let’s never have a night #AFLGF ever again. Please.
— Jason Leocata (@Leocata14) September 25, 2021
We can never again have Grand Final Day turn into Grand Final Night. #AFLGF
— Connor (@connorwevans) September 25, 2021
I’m not a fan of this night time grand final thing. The wait is excruciating. #AFLGF
— Miss Grumpy Gills 🐠❤️💙 (@unomadds) September 25, 2021
Night grand final - too long to wait!! Keeping rescue remedy in business at this stage. #AFLGF #nervous #arvoGF #AflDeesDogs pic.twitter.com/GTFVcphvGx
— Kate Wilkinson (@kmw_88) September 25, 2021
Ok, no more night #AFLGF It's boring as hell. Can't go anywhere, can't do anything. Eaten too much already. Get rid of it. @AFL you've had your fun. No more.
— Josh (@j0saka) September 25, 2021
.@AFL take note....supporters... don't....want...night...GF.#AFLGF #AflDeesDogs #GoDees 🔴🔵 https://t.co/wDQN6FhGrD
— Lizzie Bennett 😷 ❤💙 (@reinedelanuit05) September 25, 2021
Please Gil, no more night grand finals. We've suffered enough #AFLGF #MightyWest
— Kate Nallawalla (@nallaka91) September 25, 2021
This late start for the #AFLGF has really killed the vibe of the day I reckon. They better not dare try and make this night time game a regular thing.
— Jarni Blakkarly (@JarniBlakkarly) September 25, 2021
This has been the longest day in living memory. Night GF’s suck - thank the good lord for the @storm game and #zaaki#AFLGF #beers
— Jono Allen (@2manyrabbits) September 25, 2021
It feels like Grand Final Day right now. Afternoon games are so much more enjoyable, and it is going to be a very late night for my daughter if she's going to stay up and watch it.
— Warren Tegg (@WarrenTegg) September 25, 2021
Get it back to 2:30 next year #AFLGF
Yes, it had to be done this year. But let all agree we should never have a night Grand Final again! The waiting sucks #AFLGF #afldeesdogs
— Bryn Francis (@BrynFrancis4) September 25, 2021
Hopefully we not only say good bye to the 2021 #AFL season, but also the Night Grand Final goes out with it & never returns. The game is the best spectacle for aussie rules & it’s just dumb waiting around all day #AFLGF
— Alex Marsh (@Ajmarsh87) September 25, 2021
The 2021 AFL Grand final will start at 7.15pm and details of how to watch in Australia and worldwide can be found here.
