The AFL has been gradually moving towards mimicking the grand and extravagant Super Bowl half-time show in recent years, reportedly splashing out a seven-figure sum to bring globally recognised rapper Snoop Dogg to the MCG last year.
Despite Snoop's controversial historical comments and behaviour being highlighted in the lead-up to the Grand Final, the performance was well received by spectators and viewers alike.
Some reporters with connections to AFL House have suggested the league executives are now warming to the idea of an extended half-time show under lights, with Andrew Dillon changing his mind after initially being against the change.
"Tradition is really important, but so is progression," Dillon said earlier this month in a thinly veiled hint that change is afoot.
According to those reports, legendary Australian entertainer Kylie Minogue has been targeted for a performance that could take place after Melbourne's typical late-September sunset time of 6:20pm so that fireworks and other pyrotechnics can be used to full effect.
Such a show would require the first bounce to take place at 5:00pm or even later, with the half-time break extended to 30 minutes to accommodate for an expanded showcase performance.
A drastic change to the timeslot for the AFL's end-of-season climax is unlikely to be welcomed by spectators, at least according to the results of the AFL Fans' Association's annual survey last year.
82% of the 5,645 respondents voted for the Grand Final to remain at 2:30pm, with only 11% preferring the twilight timeslot.
"While we recognise the commercial pressure from broadcasters to shift to a later start, fans see this as another example of revenue being prioritised over tradition and supporter experience," the AFLFA stated.
"We urge the AFL to make a clear and public commitment to retaining the afternoon timeslot."
