- The League listened to complaints before deciding on the 2024 draw
- Fans demand change season after season
- Decision is a victory for fans with young children
The move to Friday Night Football that fans have been calling for for years will become a reality next season with prime-time Friday night games now set to start earlier, a big win for fans.
On Thursday, the AFL and Channel Seven reached an agreement to shift kick-off by 10 minutes so games would start at 7.40pm.
The 7:50 p.m. kickoff time was a source of anger and frustration for fans who wanted an earlier rebound for various reasons.
The new kick-off time for Friday night games is sure to please fans with young children, who have been calling for this change for several seasons.
Footy fans who attend games in person will also be pleased with the change to what AFL CEO Andrew Dillon called “the cornerstone of growth” of the competition.
Many were calling for a change in kickoff time so their young children could stay awake and watch the end of Friday night games, which are typically among the best contests in any given round.
Others thought that moving to an earlier time would allow more fans to tune into the telecast, while also making it easier for fans who want to attend in person, only to be faced with a long, busy commute home. them. .
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon was quick to welcome the change on Thursday.
“Since its inception more than three decades ago, Friday Night Football has been a cornerstone of the growth of our national competition,” he said.
However, fans might not be so happy with the change in kick-off time for the Thursday night matches – which will run through the first 14 rounds (pictured, Collingwood fans celebrate their big final victory)
“Friday night games under the lights have consistently generated our largest crowds and our largest national television audiences.
“The fans are at the heart of our game. The feedback has been loud and clear about Friday night games starting earlier and I am pleased that in partnership with Channel 7 we have been able to achieve this.
The news came just hours before the full 2024 draw was released.
There should be matches Thursday night for the first 14 rounds.
Unlike the Friday night games, the kickoff time for these matches would have been moved forward from 7:20 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The number of Thursday night games is a big change from the 2023 season, which saw them played 11 times all year.
