THE NRL's decision to move the grand final into the twilight zone has been applauded by current players, former players, officials, commentators and coaches alike.
The general reaction is that a 5pm kick-off will be a winner for everyone, with players no longer having to burn up so much nervous energy waiting until after dark to start, a dew-less field making for better quality football, the afternoon barbecue getting back into gear and children being able to stay awake long enough to see who wins.
"I reckon it's a great move," said Sydney Roosters skipper Craig Fitzgibbon, whose long career has included day and night grand final appearances. "Everyone was pushing for a return to daytime grand finals, and if 3pm is not really suitable then 5pm is a good compromise.
"I accept that with daylight saving coming in earlier next year, trying to avoid the heat of the day at 3pm is an important factor to consider for players.
"People can plan their day around a five o'clock start better. You can have a barbecue lunch and still be alive and kicking at five, rather than getting tired by seven. As far as the players go, we'd obviously play at any time if it meant playing in a grand final, but we'd certainly prefer to play it in the daylight."
Scott Sattler made a famous, trysaving tackle on Roosters winger Todd Byrne while playing for Penrith in the 2003 decider at night, but that didn't stop him from saying that returning to a daytime grand final "ticks all the boxes".
"It's great for the people who will watch the game, whether they're at the ground or sitting in front of the TV," said Sattler, who is the football manager for Gold Coast. "Kids are not going to be falling asleep in front of the TV if it starts at 5pm.
"And, don't forget, unlike in Sydney it's not a public holiday in Queensland on the Monday after the game, so this will give Queenslanders who want to go to the game a chance to get back on a flight on the same night if they have to go to work the next day."
NRL board member John Chalk, who was among those who approved the decision, said it was a sensible move on behalf of all the game's stakeholders.
"Everyone deserves a fair crack at the grand final and this way everyone gets one," Chalk said. "It's still good for TV, it's good for the fans, who either go to the game or watch it on TV, and it's better for the players. The league has listened to the people and that's how things should be done. It's the Aussie way."
Former daytime grand final-winning captain with Penrith and now Fox Sports commentator Greg Alexander was originally a big supporter of the switch to night grand finals but is glad the NRL has gone back to the day.
"Over the last 12 months I'd changed my mind and started believing that the grand final should go back because of tradition," Alexander said. "I watched the AFL grand final being played in the day and I thought 'that's great'. I wanted our game to go back and I'm happy it has."
Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen was a keen campaigner for a return to the day, so he was thrilled when the fight was finally won. "People in Queensland never embraced the night grand final," Cullen said. "It's fantastic that we're going back to something traditional."
Parramatta hooker Mark Riddell added: "It's a better brand of footy in the day and - if you win - you can have a beer a bit earlier to celebrate, too."
Penrith coach Matthew Elliott, like any coach would, stressed that if his team made the grand final he would be delighted to be there if it was being held at 3am in a phone box. But, when asked to think of the game at large, he said: "A 5pm start makes a lot of sense. It's good for the game and I'm for whatever's best for the game."
