The next two AFL grand finals will remain as traditional day time affairs but league boss Andrew Demetriou has refused to rule out the possibility of a twilight grand final beyond that despite overwhelming opposition from fans.
Demetriou said he was not surprised by a poll in Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper on Monday which showed some 86 percent of fans - out of more than 14,000 respondents - were against the introduction of a twilight grand final.
The poll comes after it was revealed recently that the AFL may consider a 'trial' twilight grand final before the end of the current television agreement in 2011 at the urging of network bosses - who are keen for a twilight or night grand final to become a permanent part of the AFL fixture.
However, Demetriou, himself a passionate defender of maintaining the tradition of a day grand final, said while the views of footy fans would be taken into account - others were also entitled to their view.
"My view is pretty clear and it hasn't changed," he said, when asked about the possibility of a twilight grand final.
"(And) I don't think is it going to change and what you saw in today's Herald Sun survey was an endorsement of my view really."
"We know the public in general holds the grand final institution as one of the great institutions in the country and that has (always) been played during the day but that doesn't mean others aren't entitled to ask for change but you know my view."
Demetriou said the 2008 grand final would be scheduled to start at 2.30pm or 2.40pm 'and the 2009 grand final will be played thereafter somewhere at a similar time'.
But beyond that the starting time of the AFL grand final is not set in stone, leaving the way open for either the 2010 or 2011 grand final to be played at the later starting time of around 5pm if it is a twilight game, or 7.30pm if it is a night game.
Meanwhile, Demetriou expressed concern at the state of ANZ Stadium's playing surface during Saturday night's Sydney-Collingwood game. Players have complained of a soft and shifting surface.
"There is a lot of traffic on ANZ Stadium (which has also recently hosted major rugby league and soccer matches) and that is something I guess ANZ Stadium have to look at in the future," he said.
"I guess from our perspective we are not used to playing on grounds like that that are soft and if you look at any (AFL) game now you see them played on surfaces conducive to outstanding football."
However, Demetriou said the Swans would continue to play three home games a season at the 2000 Olympic venue - which the AFL is also hoping to use as the home venue for its new West Sydney team in 2012.
"(But) as we continue to play at ANZ Stadium and we will, particularly if we go to an 18th licence, the issue of softness is something that will have to be addressed," he said.