AFTER years of debate, the AFL Commission could finally rubber stamp the first-ever twilight Grand Final when it meets on Friday.
League chief executive Gillon McLachlan declared earlier this month that the April Commission meeting would be where a call was made.
Central to the decision will be whether the League has been able to secure a high-profile act for a half-time entertainment spectacular.
This year’s Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday 29 September.
Sunset is scheduled for 6.22pm on that day, making a preferred bounce between 5pm and 6pm to ensure fireworks and lighting can be maximised for half-time and post-game shows.
The MCC is already on board.
"We're here to provide the asset and the service and we will adapt to whatever the AFL ask of us," MCC chief executive Stuart Fox told the AFL Record last September.
"But in saying that, I do believe a twilight Grand Final will present a significant opportunity in terms of 'the show' and what is presented."
In 2016, McLachlan himself said a move to a later timeslot for the big game was inevitable.
"More and more people think it's a chance to enhance the event," McLachlan said.
"You're not pushing it back late at night. Kids could still go to a twilight game. It would be a bigger, bolder experience and clearly it would have an impact on television."
If the AFL decides against a twilight Grand Final this year, the debate will surely rage on for at least another 12 months.