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http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24445732-10389,00.html
most would prefer that and alternating GF's wouldn't be a bad idea
NRL boss David Gallop says day grand final could be permament
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
Greg Davis
October 05, 2008 12:00am
NRL chief executive David Gallop says the grand final could make a permanent return to the afternoon and Brisbane will be in the hunt to host the decider from 2013.
Today's clash between Melbourne and Manly will be the first grand final to kick off in daylight since Brisbane beat the Sydney Roosters in 2000.
The grand final was moved to a night kick-off in 2001 to cash in on the prime time television timeslot.
The decision earned the ire of the Queensland public because the Sunshine State does not have a public holiday like NSW the day after the game.
The kick-off time has been brought forward during the past seven years of night grand finals but the departure from the traditional 3pm start has still infuriated traditionalists on both sides of the border.
Today's match will start at 4.15pm (Qld time) in the biggest concession yet from the NRL and Gallop said the game's governing body would review the daytime start with a view to making it a long-term arrangement.
"We are certainly not talking about changing it (4.15pm timeslot) at this stage so let's see how it performs," Gallop said.
"Everything is under review every year and obviously we'd be looking to get a good result with the TV ratings.
"There's no reason to suspect we won't continue with it because it's good for kids and it allows the adults to put on their barbecues and have a good afternoon with friends and family.
"The move to the earlier kick-off has been well received, especially by Queensland fans, and we'll have a bit of fun with the whole concept in the pre-match entertainment on Sunday as well."
Gallop said Brisbane was a contender to host the grand final once the NRL's deal with the NSW government to hold the decider at Homebush expired in 2012.
"We'll certainly be looking at interest from other venues and we all know what a great rugby league venue Suncorp Stadium is. We also know the great following the game has in Queensland," Gallop said.
"Although it would be a massive change to tradition, Queensland has set the benchmark for crowd support for the big games for a few years now so we would certainly be looking at it closely."
most would prefer that and alternating GF's wouldn't be a bad idea