The AFL commission remains divided on when the grand final should start, meaning it stays a 2.30pm game.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Friday that this year’s MCG premiership decider would not move to a twilight or night-time slot.

There is considerable debate about the prospective change, all the way up to commission level.

“It was an evenly split conversation,” McLachlan said.

“Probably half the room are very keen for it to stay as it is and half the room want to have a look at a twilight (grand final).

“So in the end, I think when the room is divided, incumbency prevails and that’s the best way to articulate where we are.

“Personally, I’m looking forward to a 2.30 grand final.”

McLachlan said it was a long discussion at the commission.

“Money is irrelevant – it’s creating the best-possible sporting event for our supporters,” he said.

“Clearly there are some aspects of twilight or not that would mean the broader event could be better.

“On the other side of the fence, our game is one of the oldest competitions in the world and we’ve been playing at 2.30 on Saturday for a long time.

“That’s important to a lot of people, as well.”

MCG chief executive and former Carlton boss Stephen Gough backed the decision.

“I’m happy with the 16 premierships we’ve won during the day,” he said.