October long weekend
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 3:59 pmThe SANFL Grand Final has been held on the October long weekend 18 times previously, perhaps less than you think. I will explain why.
Prior to 1940, Labour Day (or Eight Hours Day as it was known), was held on the second Wednesday in October. In 1940, it was changed to the first Monday, then from 1941 to the second Monday. Indeed it was changed to a Monday due to the war, because of the continuity of the working week in war time was broken.
It was only in 1992 that it was permanently changed to the first Monday in October. However, the 1989 Grand Final became the first to be played on the long weekend, and the following year, the first to be played on a Sunday during this weekend. The fixture in 1990 was initially set for Saturday, but was pushed back a day due to the AFL Grand Final re-scheduled to then. And in a slight off-topic, preceeding 1990, 1984 was the only Sunday Grand Final to have been played; every GF from 1994 onwards has been on a Sunday.
Therefore, 1992 to 2013 inclusive, 16 out of the 22 premiership deciders were played on the long weekend; those that were not: 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012. 2000 being because of the earlier finish due to the Sydney Olympics. The other years were to make it the weekend after the AFL GF.
Prior to 1940, Labour Day (or Eight Hours Day as it was known), was held on the second Wednesday in October. In 1940, it was changed to the first Monday, then from 1941 to the second Monday. Indeed it was changed to a Monday due to the war, because of the continuity of the working week in war time was broken.
It was only in 1992 that it was permanently changed to the first Monday in October. However, the 1989 Grand Final became the first to be played on the long weekend, and the following year, the first to be played on a Sunday during this weekend. The fixture in 1990 was initially set for Saturday, but was pushed back a day due to the AFL Grand Final re-scheduled to then. And in a slight off-topic, preceeding 1990, 1984 was the only Sunday Grand Final to have been played; every GF from 1994 onwards has been on a Sunday.
Therefore, 1992 to 2013 inclusive, 16 out of the 22 premiership deciders were played on the long weekend; those that were not: 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012. 2000 being because of the earlier finish due to the Sydney Olympics. The other years were to make it the weekend after the AFL GF.