The AFL has scrapped the Grand Final replay, with extra time to decide this year's premiership in the case of a draw.

The AFL Commission met in Melbourne on Tuesday and approved a recommendation from General Manager Football Operations Mark Evans and the Executive that would now see extra time played for all finals, including the Grand Final, in the case of scores being level at the end of normal time.

For any drawn match, effective from this year’s 2016 Toyota AFL Final Series, teams will play two five-minute halves of extra time, changing ends during a break in play between the two halves.

If the scores are still tied at the end of the second period, the siren will not ring until the next score, which will decide the flag.

AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the Commission today agreed to amend the method of dealing with a drawn Toyota AFL Grand Final.

“The AFL Grand Final Replay has been a unique and historic aspect of the AFL, but ultimately this is the right time to implement a change,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“The AFL is a truly national competition and this change eliminates the possibility of non-Victorian teams being disadvantaged by a significant travel burden if they had been required to return to the MCG for a Grand Final Replay.

“This decision also reflects the majority view of AFL clubs and fans who support playing extra time to determine the Grand Final instead of a replay the following week.”

A Grand Final replay has taken place three times – in 1948, 1977 and most recently in 2010 when St Kilda lost to Collingwood.