The night Grand Final was a triumph, which is not to say it should be permanent.
The defenders of tradition seem desperate to deride it to guard against it gaining momentum The sort of momentum that comes when an additional million people watch the game.
Those people are too obvious in their opposition.
The occasion was a great spectacle. The pre-match was underwhelming – joining a long queue. But the half time show was splendid addition The light show and fireworks taking full advantage of the dark. There was an undeniable grandeur to it.
The Grand Final is an occasion, an event. It’s not just that last game of pokey little domestic sporting competition.
And when it comes to the game, the Grand Final was played in the same conditions as the Qualifying Final, the Semi Final and Preliminary Final. So spare me the idea it compromises the game.
And try to do better than I was bored during the afternoon.
It wasn’t perfect. It finished too late – the two concussion delays didn’t help but we’d said in the lead up the opening siren should’ve been half an hour earlier.
The real problem with the Grand Final – it wasn’t at the MCG.
Oh and the music after goals – that was the most constant reminder it was at the Gabba It was as if the stadium didn’t trust the crowd to generate the atmosphere.
It wasn’t perfect but it was a triumph.
So what does it mean? The defenders of the faith are militant and all power to them.
But the Cup should never be handed over in daylight again.