'You can never say never', McLachlan on twilight Grand Final
CEO says a Grand Final under lights would provide better entertainment
AFL BOSS Gillon McLachlan has left the door wide open for a move to a twilight Grand Final, saying there is no doubt it would provide better entertainment.
However, McLachlan, speaking on the Gold Coast, said it was an ongoing discussion with the AFL Commission, and one he personally had difficulty with.
"I don't think anyone has any doubt the broader entertainment at the Grand Final would be better at twilight or at night, that's accepted," McLachlan said.
"You (have to) balance that up with tradition, a game that's well over 100 years old, that we've been playing on Saturday afternoons.
"So trying to find this balance between progression and tradition is a difficult one.
"I'm broadly a traditionalist, but you can never say never."
McLachlan is fresh back from watching NFL's Super Bowl between New England and Seattle.
Katy Perry spectacularly began the half-time show on top of a Lion. Picture: Getty Images
The Super Bowl is widely recognised as the world's most spectacular sporting event, drawing enormous global audiences, and McLachlan said there was little wonder it had so much appeal.
"The thing the US generally does is understand that they are there to provide entertainment and service to its supporters," he said.
"Every part of that game is directed at ensuring that their supporters enjoy their day out and enjoy the television product.
"We're here to service our supporters, the league is and the clubs are."
The current TV rights deal will expire at the end of 2016, making it unlikely any of the next two Grand Finals could be changed.
McLachlan would not speculate on the TV rights deal, but said it would be a big focus for the AFL in the latter half of the year.
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