The AFL has been urged not to pander to television networks at the expense of the game's other stakeholders, after revealing it will consider moving the grand final from its traditional afternoon timeslot.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the league would consider a move to a twilight grand final, possibly as soon as next year, at the request of the Seven and Ten networks.

A shift to a later time would boost television ratings and advertising revenue.

Demetriou said while the AFL was opposed to the concept, the broadcasters paid a "substantial amount of money for the rights" and their requests merited consideration.

But AFL Coaches Association president Neale Daniher said it was important that the league listened to the views of everyone involved in the game.

"I don't think the broadcasters, even though they put a lot of money into the game, should have all the say in it," Daniher said.

"We need to be able to have all the stakeholders - the fans, the players, everyone - have an input and whatever happens that's fine by me."

AFL players' association operations manager Matt Finnis said the majority of players were steadfastly against a switch from the traditional timeslot.

More than 90 per cent of players opposed a move in a survey last year.

"I think you'll find in many cases the players are a bit of a conservative bunch, there are a lot of traditionalists among them," Finnis told Radio SEN.

"I guess that's been reflected with the rules of the game as well, a lot of them say if we could make one rule change it's no more rule changes.

"They are lovers of footy, they're footy fans and they've been brought up with certain traditions which they enjoy as well."

He said the AFLPA believed that with the current Saturday afternoon timing of the grand final, the AFL "owns that day", which could be diluted with an evening game.

Former players, St Kilda's Nathan Burke and Hawthorn's Nick Holland both also said they would prefer the league continued with tradition.

"The reason you put it on at night time would be for primetime ratings obviously, but it's such a massive event that it should get the ratings regardless of what time you show it," Holland said.

"I don't particularly see a benefit of putting it on at twilight or 7.30pm because you are going to get the ratings with the biggest game of the year."

Burke said while he was also a "traditionalist", he could understand the AFL wanting to reward broadcasters for the money they pumped into the game.

"I'm happy to leave it in the hands of the AFL who can weigh up the benefits and the costs and let them make a judgement," he said.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights was another to back grand final tradition amid what he said were constant changes to the game.

"The evolution of the modern game is continually moving forward but the grand final I'd like to keep in the day," he said.

Tradition plays a part, it's one of our big values at the Essendon football club, I would have thought that was important, it's just my preference."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP