Fevola Expresses Outrage as AFL Mulls Change to Grand Final Tradition

Carlton legend Brendan Fevola has slammed the proposed changes to the AFL schedule that were disclosed by Eddie McGuire on Nine’s Footy Classified.

McGuire suggested that the updated fixture would push the grand final back to the second week of October, while also introducing an AFL State of Origin match in March over two weekends.

This proposal is partly influenced by the surge in viewership of the 2020 grand final between Richmond and Geelong, which was held in late October due to COVID restrictions and attracted a massive audience of 4.28 million viewers.

Traditionally, the AFL grand final is held on the final Saturday of September, and Fevola has dismissed any idea of moving it.

“It’s well known that the grand final is in September – the last Saturday to be precise – and that’s something everyone looks forward to,” Fevola expressed on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick.

“Everyone points to the success of the 2020 AFL grand final… it was a hit, held at the Gabba, and viewers tuned in because we couldn’t leave our homes! There was nothing else happening!

“With everyone cooped up inside, every TV was tuned to the grand final. The argument now is, ‘let’s have a night grand final because of the record ratings in 2020’… it’s just ridiculous!

“Those figures are irrelevant. If the grand final was in Brisbane this year, the viewership would plummet.

“Eddie McGuire on Classified suggested moving it to mid-October. Eddie is involved with the MCG Trust and is simply relaying what he’s heard from the AFL Commission.

“They couldn’t be more mistaken. It’s disastrous. September is synonymous with footy finals; it heralds the arrival of spring. If you push it into October, you’re encroaching on the Spring Carnival.”

Fevola also expressed his discontent regarding the potential return of State of Origin, asserting that it’s too intricate given the expansion of the game nationwide.

“State of Origin won’t work anymore. It was enormous back in the day, and I cherished it as a kid. EJ Whitten was an icon, motivating everyone to represent Victoria. (Before, in the VFL) you played for Victoria against South Australia. Nowadays, the AFL is a truly national competition with representation from all states,” he said.

“Victoria now must compete against the All-Stars. I played in that match in 2008, and it was brilliant, with 90,000 fans, and I won a medal, but that was then.

“You can’t revert back to the traditional State of Origin. It thrives in rugby league because it’s fierce rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland. In AFL, players are scattered from all over, as we are a national sport.”

The AFL last made an attempt at representative football in 2020, with Victoria facing The Allies in a match that raised funds for those affected by bushfires.