The AFL has downplayed the possibility of a shift to a twilight grand final in 2009, with chief executive Andrew Demetriou saying he is opposed  to the move.

The Seven and Ten networks  - the holders of the television rights - are expected to again lobby the league to move away from the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot.

But Demetriou today said the AFL grand final was one of the "great sporting events in the world" and he remained opposed to playing the game under lights.

The current broadcasting deal is worth $780 million to the competition between 2007 and 2011. The AFL is under no obligation to schedule the season decider in an evening or twilight timeslot.

Demetriou said regardless of his personal view, he expected the TV networks to again push for a twilight grand final before the current deal expires.

The Age first reported last year that the AFL was considering a twilight grand final in September following an official approach from the Ten Network.

The AFL originally told Ten they would not consider a night match, but said they would consider the idea of starting last year's premiership decider about 5pm, ending under lights between 8pm and 8.30pm

Demetriou and AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick held talks with Network Ten executives before eventually deciding not to change the timeslot.

While the radical rescheduling of the game's biggest day remains no certainty, the AFL's decision to consider the proposal last year was a major shift in thinking.

"I know that between now and the end of the broadcast agreement, we will be asked about it (a twilight grand final) again," Demetriou told News Limited today.

"If and when that occurs ... we will consider it then.

"I reckon if they are going to trial (a twilight final), they will want to trial it two years out because in the last year of the agreement, the agreement (for 2012 onwards) will be done."