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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Mike Hytner

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

The last time the AFL grand final was played at the MCG was in 2019. This year the game will return to Melbourne and its traditional 2.30pm start time.
The last time the AFL grand final was played at the MCG was in 2019. This year the game will return to Melbourne and its traditional 2.30pm start time. Photograph: Michael Dodge/AAP

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.

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