A growing chorus of players, coaches and fans pushing for the Etihad Stadium roof to be closed looks to have finally made an impact at AFL House.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said he hoped “people with common sense” would close the roof when appropriate.

But McLachlan stopped short of suggesting it be permanently shut.

“If it’s too bright, it should be closed. If it’s going to rain, it should be closed,” he said.

“All I want is when there’s 25,000 to 30,000 people there and it’s a lovely 22-degree autumn day and it’s overcast, to be able to sit outside and have a pie — and maybe that’s twice a year — but hopefully we do that rather than be closed all the time.

“I think it’s going to be closed more.”

A poll conducted on NMFC.com.au a fortnight ago saw an overwhelming response, with a clear push from fans for the roof to be closed to improve the viewing spectacle.

From over 1,500 votes, over 90 per cent wanted the roof shut.

North coach Brad Scott and Richmond coach Damien Hardwick voiced their concerns about an experiment to keep the roof half open during the NAB Challenge.

"My opinion is very, very clear – I've said it before, I will say it again, I think the roof should be closed," Scott said.

Hardwick was particularly critical, with some players unable to handle the ball due to the contrast between different parts of the ground.

"I don't know, it's not that hard is it? Is it that hard, really? Here's an idea, shut the bloody thing. Jesus," Hardwick said.

Todd Goldstein later voiced his disapproval.

"My theory has always been that if we've got a roof, why don't we use it?,” he said.

"We live in Melbourne, we all know what the weather is like. You get four seasons in a day, so I don't know why if we've got a roof we don't just keep it shut.

"I didn't think the (half-open roof) experiment worked at all.”

Etihad Stadium management suggested permanently closing the roof would affect the turf at the venue.

“Our view is really governed by giving the turf as much light as possible. Turf needs natural light, air circulation and water and it's not a multiple choice. It needs all three,” Etihad boss Paul Sergeant said last week.

"To close the roof for every daytime game equates to losing two weeks worth of natural light. If you start to deprive the grass of that light it affects the turf.”