Diesels captain-coach Matt Hands says he is right behind Group Nine’s decision to switch this year’s grand final to a Saturday twilight fixture.
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It comes after Southcity captain-coach Nick Skinner and former Diesel Damian Willis slammed Group Nine’s decision to part with tradition and hold its big dance under lights.
But Hands expects the shift from Sunday afternoon to Saturday evening will draw a larger crowd.
“I think it’ll get a bit more of that grand final atmosphere to the game with no one having to go to work the next day,” Hands said.
Star Junee full back Daniel Foley approved of the move to Saturday, but wasn’t sold on playing the game under lights.
“You playing during the day all year, but then its at night for the grand final,” he said.
“The conditions are quite different at night, it’s more dewy and slippery.
“So you would have to change your game plan a little bit.”
Hands agreed with his teammate, saying his only concern was the lack of consistency in game times and suggesting incorporating several night games into Junee’s regular season schedule.
This year’s decider will be played under lights at Equex Centre on September 9 with first grade to start at 6pm.
Group Nine president John Morton said the move had been years in the making.
With no other grand finals slated over the weekend, he believed the timeline suited.
“It’s something I thought was worth trying,” Morton said.
“It is an unknown quantity but I’m sure sponsors think it is a better idea.”
Only one Group Nine board member voted against the change.