Friday night football is set for a time change.
It can be revealed that the AFL’s marquee slot is about to be moved forward from a 7.50pm AEST start time to a 7.20pm AEST opening bounce in a huge win for fans.
The half-hour difference will be music to the ears of supporters who have long campaigned for an earlier start to Friday night games.
Many fans have argued for years that the prime-time game starts unnecessarily late and makes it hard for kids to watch.
The return to full-length quarters has also made it difficult for young footy fans to stay up and watch games at the end of the school and working week. Club CEO’s were told of the change during today’s meeting with the AFL.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon said earlier this year that the late Friday night start should be consigned to history.
“That 7:50pm start is just errant nonsense. It’s a nonsense, I don’t care what you say,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“It’s draconian to start a game at 10-to-eight.
“7:50pm is in the dark ages, a 10-to-eight start for a game of footy.”
A poll on SEN Breakfast’s Twitter account in March saw more than 75 per cent of 2,826 votes say they wanted an earlier start to Friday night games.
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