A push from AFL broadcasters for a regular twilight grand final is expected to gather steam after record-low ratings accompanied a return to the traditional afternoon timeslot.
Geelong thrashed Sydney in the first season decider played in Melbourne for three years, following two seasons affected by the global COVID pandemic.
It started at 2.30pm (AEST) and bombed on the box, with OzTam ratings released on Sunday showing 2.179 million viewers across the five major metropolitan markets.
The figure was well down on last year’s number, when 3.006 million watched the twilight grand final played in Perth, which was broadcast in prime time in the big east coast markets.
It is also a huge drop from 2020, when 2.979 million watched the night grand final played in Brisbane.
Some factors in this year’s lower numbers include fans flocking back to public venues in Melbourne and watching in large groups after two years spent in and out of lockdown.
The one-sided contest may also have played a role in viewers tuning out, with Geelong surging to a commanding 35-point lead by quarter-time.
The result was effectively put to bed when the Cats kicked six unanswered goals during the third quarter.
A venerable tradition
Regardless of the ratings, Geelong premiership midfielder Cam Guthrie said he would like to see the grand final remain in the traditional timeslot at the MCG.
“Saturday arvo at the MCG is pretty special,” Guthrie told reporters on Sunday.
“We got the full experience this year being down in Melbourne and, yeah, it was amazing.”
The ratings disaster came despite the AFL’s huge outlay on luring UK pop icon Robbie Williams to Melbourne to spearhead a successful grand final entertainment show with Australia’s Delta Goodrem.
-AAP
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