Finishing in the dark

[giffo]

With the average quarter getting longer (2nd 1/4 32 mins @ Unley), and some games now finishing after 5:00, do the SANFL need to start games earlier or get ovals to put their lights on should it become dark? It's getting hard to see at the ground so I would expect it to be worse on TV.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Start the games at 2pm.

[TroyGFC]

I am in agree-ance with Adelaide Hawks start games earlier, got dark towards of todays game Bays/Legs/\\

[spell_check]

What has a hand in this too is the cloud cover.

[westside]

Wouldn't be a problem if teams could finish a game off in 8 minutes COME ON AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Booney]

Have the half and quarter time breaks been extended this season? Seems as though they take a little longer than previous seasons.

[Ian]

With time off now being called at bounces, time on has got considerably longer this year.

[MightyEagles]

The underage games are about the same as last year.

[Blue Boy]

Wouldn't be a problem if teams could finish a game off in 8 minutes COME ON AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a laugh from me !!!

[spell_check]

If since 1996 the quarters were shorter because of the rule change about the length of the quarters, how was it before then? Was the same thing happening before then like it is now?

[Wedgie]

If since 1996 the quarters were shorter because of the rule change about the length of the quarters, how was it before then? Was the same thing happening before then like it is now?

They haven't become shorters, they've become longer.
It used to be 25 mins plus time on with the clock still ticking when the ball went out of bounds.

Now even though its 20 mins plus time on the clock stops when its out of bounds and this actually accounts for more than the 5 mins taken off in most games.

Games have always finished when its bloody dark at times but that's just a part of footy, I can understand starting the ABC televised games earlier but no need to mess with the times. Most games I've witnessed this year has seen 50% of the crowd rock up after 2pm, with the minimal exposure we get in the media a hell of a lot of people would rock up late if we changed the times. Its been tried before and didn't work or benefit the SANFL in anyway, leave it alone I say.

[Blue Boy]

With the average quarter getting longer (2nd 1/4 32 mins @ Unley), and some games now finishing after 5:00, do the SANFL need to start games earlier or get ovals to put their lights on should it become dark? It's getting hard to see at the ground so I would expect it to be worse on TV.

I had trouble seeing to by the end of the game on the week end - but that is another story

[TroyGFC]

2pm starts would be good. Ressies about 11am.

[heater31]

don't need to change a thing, problem only exagerated as the winter equinox is in about 7 days time

for those mere mortals it is the shortest amount daylight for the year

[Mickyj]

With the average quarter getting longer (2nd 1/4 32 mins @ Unley), and some games now finishing after 5:00, do the SANFL need to start games earlier or get ovals to put their lights on should it become dark? It's getting hard to see at the ground so I would expect it to be worse on TV.

After Saturdays game at Woodville could the SANFL make the clubs as well as turn on the lights also turn on the FLAMING HEATERS .

[am Bays]

No probs at Noarlunga in two weeks time (fortuitously two days after the winter solstice), with the cars around the oval they can just turn the lights on.....

Will anyone be home.....

[Jimmy]

shit, i have enough trouble finishing in the light...

[FlyingHigh]

Wedgie is right, re extra time.

Typical AFL nonsense (even though it was introduced 10 years ago). Playing supposedly "less" time for the players sake, but the ball is actually in "live" play longer. Worse now that clock is stopped now for ball-ups. Umpires always had the discretion to blow time off if there was a delay in bringing ball back into play, so there shouldn't have been a problem.

Ridiculous situation of St Kilda-Sydney last quarter going for 34+ minutes, when there was only two goals kicked, and, admittedly, a stretcher incident.

No advantage of taking ball out of play, yet now AFL are instructing umpires to pay ridiculous deliberate out-of-bounds frees.

Bring back the old mins.

[JK]

Pity it wasn't dark enough to not see the scoreboard at the Bay on Monday

[Mate]

Have the half and quarter time breaks been extended this season? Seems as though they take a little longer than previous seasons.

Gday Booney
No, the breaks have not been extended. 1/4 time and 3/4 time breaks are strictly 6 mins and 1/2 time is 20 mins. It is the responability of the Team Managers to ensure the coach and players adhere to this or SANFL fines apply. Having said that, only the very best Team Managers actually enforce this rule Eg. Barry Downs and the guy from the WA twos!!!

In reference to the 52 cans, I will have a crack this weekend!