Luke leaving was mentioned tonight with Footy Classified
1 Like
Damian Barrett 
has written an article for AFL Media today, crowing about the annual ‘Grand Final in prime time’ debate, citing last week’s Prelim, the non-traditional region teams competing this year, historical ratings and broadcast $$$$$$$$$ as the main reasons.
3 Likes
He wants it changed for this week??
2 Likes
Yes!
3 Likes
Oh wow. How about no? lol
Things have been booked, signed, delivered etc too late now.
2 Likes
He’s arguing that this year’s grand final should be the last day Grand Final, and all future grand finals should be played at night, or at least in the 5:15pm slot like last year.
For reference, here is the article:
Saturday’s season decider should be the last to start and finish in daylight hours, writes Damian Barrett
2 Likes
Hmmm. I like my BBQ lunch and drinks and then settling in at 2:30pm.
You can’t do that if a game starts at 5:15pm. No one wants dinner after 8pm. Too late to start the BBQ.
8 Likes
The entire day ‘party’ has been key to its long-held daytime decision and largely a success, from the hours long lead-up to the presentations, wash up and celebrations into the night and beyond.
10 Likes
I don’t think a 7pm night grand final is the way to go. It’s too big of a change from the current 2:30pm start. I think 5:15 is also a bit too late since the match finishes at 8pm, and once the presentations are done it’s 8:30pm.
Maybe a 3:20 or 4pm start? That means the match will finish before 7pm and goes into prime time for 7 which will keep them happy & it’s not too late of a start for the traditional fans as it’s only max 90mins later.
7 Likes
The Grand Final will always rate extremely high no matter the time. The AFL want a day game for tradition. Seven want the game be in prinetime for those huge shares.
Agree that a 3.30/4pm start would help both parties. Pushing the game into the 6pm primetime ratings period.
7 Likes
Could continue with this?
2 Likes
Key points relevant to Seven
- An official announcement about Caroline Wilson’s move to Seven had been expected today, but that now appears unlikely.
- SEN is likely to play host to some of Seven’s additional Monday-to-Wednesday AFL programming at its Southbank studios initially, while Seven continues its relocation from Docklands into a new Collins Street office in Melbourne’s CBD.
- Hamish McLachlan will likely return as the anchor for Seven’s match-day coverage, with talk of mid-week interview show in the works.
12 Likes
Given she won’t be able to appear on Seven until early-mid next year, I’d say that an announcement will now likely be early next year to build up Seven’s 2025 AFL campaign.
So they are hiring all these new talent, yet they are keeping the weak link front and centre 
11 Likes
Hamish is not a weak link. He is a strong host with a lot of experience in interviews and match calling.
5 Likes
No offence, but his hosting and occasional interviews during the Brownlow Medal Award coverage was awkward the majority of the time.
8 Likes
The article confirms that he is staying with Fox & will also be calling games
With expanded coverage and talent needed next year, SEN in-game caller Gerard Whateley is expected to expand his relationship with Fox to commentate matches in 2025.
5 Likes
His Brownlow was a miss
3 Likes
Well it seems more a business interest, so maybe.
1 Like
Luke Darcy’s departure has been formally announced.
5 Likes
