‘Deserves more respect’: AFL slammed for burying key announcement
The AFL has been criticised for revealing the date and time for this year’s AFLW grand final in the middle of Friday night’s Wildcard blockbuster, with frustrations the announcement was lost in the wash.
The league announced during half-time of the Western Bulldogs versus Collingwood game at the MCG that this year’s grand final will be held on Friday November 27.
AFLW boss Laura Kane speaks during the week. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The shift away from the traditional Saturday slot is due to a clash with the Victorian state election.
News Corp journalist Lachlan McKirdy posted the press release on social media after the announcement, saying the league was “taking out the trash” with the timing.
“A taking out the trash press release if I’ve ever seen one. 9.16pm on a Friday night, when there’s a massive wildcard final being played at the MCG. The AFLW deserves more respect than this,” he posted.
“Taking out the trash” is a journalistic term for press releases being posted deliberately after hours or during other events to minimise how many people see them. Naturally, the AFL would not have been aiming to do that with the grand final release, likely hoping the eyeballs on the Wildcard game would elevate the reveal.
However, McKirdy pointed out that Channel Seven initially posted the wrong date for the game in their sole mention of the AFLW grand final and Fox Footy did not reference it at all during their half-time coverage.
ABC Sports journalist Aaron Bryans also gave the AFL a whack for the announcement on social media.
“Not sure the league patting itself on the back for announcing the AFLW Grand Final earlier than ever is the win they think it is when you’re dropping it 9.16pm on a Friday in the middle of an AFL final and committing to no major stadiums,” Bryans wrote.
The host stadium for the AFLW grand final will depend on who the highest qualified team is. If it’s a Melbourne-based side, the game will be held at Ikon Park – or GMHBA Stadium if it is Geelong.
This means the league has once again opted against using Marvel Stadium, which the AFL owns, for the showcase contest.
They similarly drew criticism in the AFLW pre-season for not moving the Australia versus Ireland showcase game to the SCG, after it quickly sold out North Sydney Oval.
If Port Adelaide ends up the top qualified team, they would host the AFLW grand final at Alberton Oval, which holds a capacity just under 8000.
After two rounds of the AFLW season, North Melbourne sits on top of the ladder with two wins and a mammoth percentage of 240. The Roos haven’t lost a game since 2023 and are looking to win a third straight premiership.
Melbourne, Carlton, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs are also undefeated at this stage.
Round three gets underway on Saturday afternoon with the Kangaroos and Bulldogs facing off.
AFLW boss Laura Kane in her grand final press release stated “AFLW belongs in primetime”, however rounds two, three and four all begin on Saturday afternoon, with no Thursday or Friday night fixtures.
