THE NAB AFL Draft will be conducted at night for the first time ever in 2009.

Footy fans will also be able to tune in live to see who their club selects, with the draft to be shown live on pay television.

After consulting all 16 clubs to canvass their thoughts, AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson confirmed on Wednesday that the League had received the all-clear to shift this year’s national draft to a Thursday evening – instead of the traditional Saturday morning of recent years.

The 2009 NAB AFL Draft will now be held on Thursday November 26.

The decision to move the draft to a prime time event comes as more and more footy fans take an interest in the game’s freshest talent.

It also mirrors meetings in other countries, such as the USA. This year the NBA draft was also held on a Thursday night.

The draft will begin at 6.30pm and aimed to conclude by 8pm, with a live telecast on Fox Sports.

Collingwoodfc.com.au will be at the event and will provide extensive coverage throughout the evening.