In a massive win for Border fans, AFL NSW/ACT yesterday revealed the starting time for the March 10 game would now be a twilight match starting at 5.30pm, instead of 3.10pm.

It was feared that the starting time couldn’t be changed due to the Suns chartering a flight that must leave Albury Airport at 8pm, but AFL NSW/ACT planning and operations manager Joseph La Posta said the Suns had now scheduled a later flight.

“The Gold Coast were chartered on an earlier flight but AFL football operations, in co-operation with Virgin Airlines and HRG, have been able to amend their departure time from Albury so that Gold Coast Suns can fly out later,” La Posta told The Border Mail.

“That has allowed us to put the game time back.

“Last night we were able to confirm we could alter the charter flight time.”

Last year the council was successful in changing the GWS-North Melbourne practice game from an afternoon to night match and 6000 attended the Lavington complex.

“We are absolutely delighted and we think it’s a great decision and we can now go ahead in earnest and plan the event,” events team leader at Albury Council Ros Walls said.

“We feel that we’ll be able to engage a larger audience who might have commitments to summer sport.”

Without a time switch the AFL risked a crowd of less than 3000 but can now hope for 4000-plus.

“The purpose of the later start is to ensure maximum attendance from our Albury fans,” he said.