THE people wanted it, Manly said they loved it, and Melbourne couldn't care less. But NRL chief executive David Gallop has refused to guarantee the daytime grand final will be kept for next season.

"It certainly appeared to be a success but there's a number of things we want to look at in the cold light of day," Gallop said. "Things like television ratings. And we were probably a thousand or so people short of a sellout. There are those things to look at but it appears to have been a success. Everything's under review."

The NRL yielded to people power last year and opted for a 5.15pm kick-off, despite pressure from broadcaster Channel Nine to keep the match at night to attract the biggest possible television audience.

The change to daylight savings ensured most of yesterday's decider was played in the light - but the crowd of 80,388 was below ANZ Stadium's capacity of 85,000. "Maybe people took the [backyard] barbeque option," Gallop said.

The dry conditions contributed to the breakneck speed of the game, prompting Manly coach Des Hasler to remark of the first half: "I don't know where it went."

Indeed, some Manly players believed the dry conditions contributed to their stirring victory.

Melbourne's wrestling ability at the ruck has made them specialists on a wet and dewy surface, and the ANZ Stadium surface is noted for being greasy at night. It's why Storm coach Craig Bellamy implemented the style of play he did for the opening match of this year's State of Origin series while coaching NSW.

"The openness of the dry track helped us," Manly hooker Matt Ballin said. "It was good. It should be like that every year for every grand final. The track was dry, and it suited both teams."

Sea Eagles five-eighth Jamie Lyon said: "It suited them last year, but it didn't today. It was a fast game early on. I was blowin'. It took me 20 minutes to get my second wind. It was a tough and fast and entertaining game. I prefer day games to night. The day grand final is the way to go. It should stay."

Asked if he liked the 5.15pm kick-off, Hasler laughed: "It was OK. I don't care what time you play it."

All Bellamy would offer was: "I hated it. I wish we were just starting again. Someone asked me earlier in the year if we liked it. We just wanted to be here. We didn't care if it was 12 o'clock. It doesn't matter what time they want to kick off."