Why?

[Brucetiki]

While you're at it, why the heck do they keep the prelim and grand finals at a 3.10 start when every other afternoon game during the season bar the first two weeks of finals is 2.10?

You would like the 18s to start at 8.10 then?

Pretty sure this 3.10 start thing predated the under 18 comp

3:10pm Grand Finals started in 2007 to allow the u/19's, reserves and league GF to be played on the one day. Interestingly 2008 was when daylight savings started the night before the SANFL GF so effectly the match start time difference was 10 minutes in 2008/2009 and no difference this season.

[spell_check]

It was 3.10pm in 2005 (and 2006). However, it was 2.05pm in 2000 and 2001.

[CK]

- Making it Sunday ensures a seven day break between games from the first round of finals. It also ensures a consistent break all the way through, so we don't jump from a Sunday final minor round, to two lots of Saturday finals (six day break for round one of finals for clubs not playing on Sunday in last minor round), then back to a Sunday Grand Final. Consistent minimum length breaks throughout.

- After the Amateur and regional leagues compete with both SANFL and AFL on Saturdays all year, surely they can be allowed a couple of weeks when they can maximise their attendances for their premier games of the year also.

- As already mentioned, the issues of Reserves and Under 18 scheduling. Impossible to play all games on the same day.

I see no reason whatsoever that the finals should all be played on a Saturday, because that will mean the Preliminary Final HAS to go back to a Sunday to ensure no clash with AFL Grand Final, and then an inconsistent break of eight days after the semi finals. IMHO, the SANFL has this one completely correct, and not sure what relevance how nice the weather is has to do with any of it.

[fish]

It's Saturday afternoon, a beautiful day outside. Blue sky, perfect football weather, no game of AFL on the television.

WHY ... aren't the semi finals being played today? Are the SANFL so locked into the Sunday mindset that it never occured to them?

What could have been better than the footy on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon?

Rant over.

Adelaide Hawk you take whinging to a new level!

[spell_check]

You can be assured if the SANFL decide to play the semi finals on a Saturday one year, the AFL will schedule one Preliminary Final during that time slot.

[bayman]

ah, shouldn't you just be happy that your team is in the finals & with a genuine shot at the title ?..........i'm sure the teams not left in the finals would be happy to play on the moon at midnight if they had to

[scott]

Good weather is a non-issue as it can quite easily be a good day tomorrow.

I like Sunday finals.

[PhilH]

To answer AH's question its because the AFL Reserves the right to play the 2nd Prelim Final on a Saturday Afternoon IF an interstate trip is involved to allow the travelling team to get back home on Saturday night to have 7 day preparation for the GF.

If no interstate trip is involved then it is Saturday Night for TV ratings purposes.

The AFL only decided whether the 2nd prelim will be played Saturday Afternoon or Saturday Night
when the potential matchups either confirm or eliminate an interstate trip.

ie IF Sydney had defeated the Western Bulldogs last week the Sydney v St Kilda prelim would have been Saturday Afternoon to allow Sydney to get home Saturday Night if they make the GF.

[spell_check]

That would make sense, thanks Phil.

[PhilH]

Besides the SANFL Sunday timeslot allowed me to fly out 6am this morning for a Wedding in Melbourne, go to the reception (just finished) and get on a 7am flight tomorrow back to Adelaide in time to call two games of football.

BTW - VFL GF final tomorrow ... only the barest of publicity about the clash.