The AFL has ended the Western Bulldogs' hopes of a day semi-final, locking in a night start for Saturday's Gabba clash with the Brisbane Lions.
The Bulldogs, currently based in Tasmania, are scheduled to travel to the Queensland capital on Friday.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge made it clear he wanted the semi-final to start during the day, limiting the time his squad would be in hotel lockdown.
The league, having discussed the matter with broadcasters and other stakeholders, declared on Tuesday it would not break with recent convention as it announced a 7.20pm AEST kick-off.
It is yet to be confirmed whether the AFL has secured any quarantine exemptions for the Bulldogs, who were based in Melbourne prior to flying out for their elimination final in Launceston.
"You'd like to think maybe that game is earlier than a night game, otherwise we'll be in the hotel the whole day. You deal with it, but ideally you're not," Beveridge said on Sunday.
"We'll see what happens. The AFL are trying to look after everyone's wellbeing under the circumstances and a conscientious decision will be made."
The winner of the Lions-Bulldogs clash will face Port Adelaide in a preliminary final.
