The AFL has decided to stick with its traditional 2.30pm timeslot instead of the expected twilight bouncedown for this year’s MCG grand final.

The league had remained tight-lipped about the decision, already made at Wednesday’s AFL Commission meeting, as it did not want to overshadow a landmark CBA governing the upcoming AFLW season.

The AFL grand final was first played at night in 2020 at the Gabba, while the 2021 grand final at Optus Stadium began at 5.15pm local time.

“That return-to-rituals principle underpinned our decision making in ratifying a traditional start time – the prestige, nostalgia and atmosphere of the day Grand Final is something we all know and love,” AFL CEO Gil McLachlan said on Friday.

Listen to 6PR sports broadcaster Paddy Sweeney discuss the timeslot with Gareth Parker on Breakfast