TWO of Group Nine’s biggest names have led the call for the game’s administrators to reconsider a night-time grand final.
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Southcity captain-coach Nick Skinner and Gundagai try-scoring machine Damian Willis want Group Nine to keep the grand final in the traditional daytime timeslot.
Group Nine this week announced a big change to this year’s grand final and have moved away from the traditional Sunday afternoon to Saturday night at 6pm.
Both Skinner and Willis have no issue with the move to Saturday, but do believe the 6pm start time needs to be reconsidered.
“Speaking to the majority of players around the group, most are in the boat of leaving it during the day,” Skinner said.
“I guess I can understand where Group Nine is coming from, in terms of a bigger gate and looking for change, but it doesn’t make sense to play day games all through the year and then have your grand final at night.
“I think you’ll find most players think the same as me and Damian Willis.”
Willis believes the move to a 6pm grand final does not make sense.
“I”m against a 6pm grand final given the fact we don’t play any night games through the season,” Willis said.
“I’ve got no dramas with the Saturday, the timeslot is the only issue I’ve got.
“I would find it hard to sit around all day waiting for the grand final, plus the added pressure of change in conditions.”
Skinner is disappointed clubs and players were not consulted before a decision was made.
“I can understand where Group Nine are coming from, changing it up, but it’s a bit disappointing that they’ve gone and done it without asking teams,” he said.
Willis said players should be the number one priority.
“At the end of the day, it’s about the players, not revenue,” Willis said.
“No one remembers the gate, you only remember who wins.”
As a coach, Skinner said a nighttime grand final would result in a different style of game that is less free flowing.
He also believes the 6pm start would see less families travel to Wagga for the grand final.
An online poll conducted by The Daily Advertiser earlier this week has found the majority of readers are in favour of a Saturday night grand final.
Saturday night got 37 per cent of the vote, narrowly ahead of Sunday afternoon (33 per cent) and Saturday afternoon (28 per cent).
The change will be discussed at next week’s Group Nine general meeting.