The AFL will keep Monday night football in moderation, league chief executive Andrew Demetriou says.

Some 42,886 attended Monday night when Carlton beat St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, a crowd which enthused Demetriou.

The match was initially slated as a Sunday afternoon Mother's Day encounter.

"I dare say there wouldn't have been 42,000 on Sunday," Demetriou said of the crowd outcome.

The league boss said Monday nights were proving a success.

"Every time it gets played, it gets well attended, it rates well," he said.

"I haven't seen the ratings for last night but I suspect it would have done well.

"It's great as long as we just keep it in moderation, we always thought that if we'd have a few Monday nights and maybe a few Thursday nights, and create events around it, they can work.

"I think there is a place for Monday night football just as long as we don't elongate the weekend too much."

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