AFL grand final to return to traditional time slot at MCG in win for fans

• This year's premiership decider to start at 2.30pm AEST
• Fan association hails decision as supporter loyalty rewarded'

The AFL grand final will stick to its usual afternoon time slot at the MCG as the 2022 premiership flag decider returns to Melbourne for the first time in two years, in a win for traditionalists who were resistant to the idea of shifting the start time by two hours.

In an acknowledgment of broad fan sentiment, this year's showpiece event on 24 September will begin at 2.30pm AEST, after the last two grand finals were forced interstate by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and played later in the day.