9News’ Tom Morris has just posted on social media the likely fixture for Gather Round 2025.
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And here is the official fixture, thanks to @Apple75 who posted it in the 7AFL Thread.
A couple of things:
- I’m surprised they didn’t do a Friday twilight game as Norwood again - was fairly popular with the local food and wine festival being held at the same time - would also prevent the Saturday matches from overlapping
- Also surprised they didn’t hold at least one game (potentially one of the three that Norwood have) at Mount Barker again, especially since it’s more accessible for tourists than the Barossa (i.e. no direct public transport from Adelaide to Barossa meaning that people will likely have to pay regional fares instead of being able to use free public transport).
- I don’t think the Sunday Night match would go down well with Port supporters, especially since many people would have to go to work the next day, unless they are already off for the school holidays.
- Also surprised that the Crows got the Thursday Night Match - surely Port would’ve earnt it given they made the final week of the finals, rather than the Crows who didn’t get into the top 8.
Will admit my last two points may be a bit biased towards Port, however, the first two points are fairly reasonable IMO.
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I am sure the AFL and South Australian Government will have special coaches carrying fans from Adelaide to Barossa and return.
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Oh I don’t doubt that things can be done, but it would depend on how much the private operators would ask for to operate the services, given that unlike the metro system, the state government has little control over the regional system.
I think it’s good to have SA opening and closing the round. I do think it’s slightly unfair the crows have opened each gather round though.
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I agree it’s a good idea on paper, however, I feel like many might not be able to go if they haven’t already booked leave for school holidays, etc.
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Yeah maybe but surely it would be easier to get to the football on a Sunday night than a Thursday night right?
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Probably is, and I suppose the next day argument could be applied either way.
Still, if they wanted SA teams either end, then Port should’ve been awarded the Thursday night match since they performed better last year compared to the crows.
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Yeah I agre I think it’s Ports turn to open it. Still should be a great weekend.
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I imagine they’ll probably run shuttle buses from/to the Gawler Central train station (about a 15 minute drive). Would be nice to run trains down the disused line right next to the oval at Lyndoch but I’m guessing that’d be too hard.
Adelaide Metro does not operate the Barossa Valley region - bus services are operated by LinkSA under a private contract - Government cannot control timetabling, operations, or fares.
No train has run on the line in 10 years - would probably require the whole track to be replaced, along with signalling. Also the line beyond Gawler is not electrified - would require diesel trains which would already be operating additional services on the operating non-electrified lines.
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Yeah I think it will be shuttle buses from the city just like what they do for festivals in the region. It’s a shame there isn’t better trains into the area though. It would provide a lot of tourism opportunities outside wine in the area.
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It can also be revealed that Essendon will feature in the most Thursday night games in the first 16 weeks, playing four games on that week night.
Carlton, Hawthorn, Geelong, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions will each play three Thursday night games in the first 16 weeks.
In all, 15 of the 18 clubs will play Thursday night football at least once in the first 16 weeks of the season.
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Great news. Not sure why this wasn’t done earlier. Personally I hate Thursday night football but it’s probably the most marketable night.
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Deal is now confirmed - two home matches will be played in WA - one at Hands Oval in Bunbury (West Coast in Round 13), and one at Perth Stadium (Fremantle in Round 14).
The deal also means that North Melbourne will no longer play games in Hobart from 2026 - in recent seasons they have played four games a year at Bellerive Oval. Two of these games will be the WA games, while the remaining two will become home games in Melbourne (from 2026). Likely that only two games will be played in Hobart next year.
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Some really good looking games in those slots.
Apparently there will 9 Sunday night games. I am a big fan of this. It means we will be able to watch more matches. The only overlap will be on a Saturday now by the looks of it.
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