Gerard Whateley believes that the 2022 Grand Final should be the last played in an afternoon timeslot.
Geelong’s 81-point win over Sydney was the lowest rating Grand Final of all time, with just 2.18m viewers tuning in across metro markets.
The last two Grand Finals were played in prime time, largely as a result of the showpiece event being relocated away from the MCG due to COVID lockdowns in Victoria.
But after soft ratings for Saturday afternoon’s decider, Whateley says the Grand Final should never start before twilight again.
“That will be the last afternoon Grand Final,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.
“I’m amazed by the surprise around the ratings drop, as if no one understands how television works. More people watch in prime time – that’s why it is called prime time.
“We had two night Grand Finals where more people watched. The obligation of the code is to have the maximum number of people watch the biggest game of the year.
“This finals series was played entirely with the yellow Sherrin in twilight and night slots. We had all agreed that (this) was absolutely awesome and it was the highest rating September on record and then we bowed to outdated convention and returned to the afternoon with the red Sherrin and the viewership collapsed.
“The Grand Final should never again start before 4:30pm and the cup should never be presented in anything other than under lights.
“We already knew this and the reason is simple – more people with be watching and surely that is the whole purpose.
“No more silly surveys and opposition from those who think they speak for the so-called fans, the evidence is empirical, unequivocal and undeniable.
“The later the Grand Final starts, the more people watch and surely that’s the purpose of the showpiece game. I expect a 4:30pm (start) next year and I expect it gets later as the years go by.”
3.06m metro viewers tuned in for Melbourne’s Grand Final win over Western Bulldogs last year, which was played in Perth, while 2.979m people tuned in for Richmond’s win over Geelong in 2020.