Thanks
The AFL has revealed the announcement of the 2018 fixture has been pushed to back from this Friday to next Tuesday (October 31).
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The AFL revealed the fixture for next yearâs pre-season JLT Community Series this morning. Each club will only play two matches during the three-week series, however the leagueâs general manager clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld refused to confirm when AFLX would be played.
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Round 1 fixture announced.
ESS (
) vs. ADEL on Friday night.
New Perth Stadium gets Sunday afternoon.
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The 2018 AFL womenâs fixture was also released this morning. Carlton and Collingwood will again open the season at Princes Park after the lockout at the venue in February this year. The 2018 season starts on February 2 and ends with the grand final on March 24. Unlike this year there will be no doubleheaders with menâs pre-season games in 2018.
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More details about the 2018 fixture were revealed today.
Seven News Melbourne reports tonight that the grand final rematch between Adelaide and Richmond will be played next year on the night before Good Friday (Thursday March 29). St Kilda will replace Western Bulldogs as North Melbourneâs opponent in the Good Friday twilight match.
Geelong will host Carlton for the first time in 21 years when the two teams clash at soon-to-be-renamed GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park) in 2018.
West Coast will be the first AFL menâs team to play at Perth Stadium when they host Sydney in Round 1, however Fremantle will host four of their first six games at the new venue, including a home against Essendon in Round 2, an âawayâ game against Gold Coast in Round 3, and the derby against the Eagles in Round 6.
Round 1 fixture
Thursday, March 22
Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT
Friday, March 23
Essendon v Adelaide, Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm AEDT
Saturday, March 24 (AFLW Grand Final day)
St Kilda v Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium, 3.35pm AEDT
Port Adelaide v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm CDT (4.35pm AEDT)
Gold Coast v North Melbourne, Cazalyâs Stadium, Cairns, 6.25pm AEST (7.25pm AEDT)
Hawthorn v Collingwood, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT
Sunday, March 25
Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 1.10pm AEDT
Melbourne v Geelong, MCG, 3.20pm AEDT
West Coast v Sydney, Perth Stadium, 4.10pm WST (7.10pm AEDT)
I imagine Seven will have heavily pushed for more Thursday games?
I think there is an agreement that cannot be broken. Wasnt this discussed before?
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Surely not for specific game quota?
Thereâd probably be a minimum, but Thursday night games have been going up every year and the AFL expect it/inevitable.
Woulenât be surprised if thereâs 10-12 Thursday games next year (Foxtel had one exclusive this year, maybe more next year)?
Current agreement covers 77 games (23 Fri night, 23 Sat night, 20 Sun arvo - none during bye rounds). Leaves 11 games for Thursday and public holidays. Public holidays games are Easter Thursday and Monday, Anzac Eve and Day, and Queenâs Birthday. Leaves 6 available for Thursday, which are generally round 1 and over the bye rounds due to the agreement mandating a minimum 6 day break outside of those holiday games. So no idea how the AFL fixture 10-12 Thursday nights (esp when crowds are poor in Melb on Thur night outside of the opener).
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Didnât realise, thank you.
Also, there was 8 Thursday games this year, 7 on Seven.
Canât see there being less.
When scheduling thursday night games the AFL would be wise to have majority of them in Adelaide. It is an extremely popular timeslot with those in SA.
Yes, Easter Thursday was given to Foxtel due to how late Easter was. Should only be 7 Thurs night next year, add to that Anzac Eve/Day, Easter Mon and Queens Bâday and thereâs your 11 extra.
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Plus 2 non-Victorian teams were playing (Eagles vs Sydney) which didnât have the appeal as it did in the middle of last decade.
Footy fixtureâs out for 2018.
Very interesting.
Harsh on Dees, only 1 Friday night. Bombers rewarded for most improved/surprising season, with around 5 Friday nights (4 in row in last rounds, odd) and opening Friday. Carlton get 5 Fridays, WTF!?
No other Thursdays in first few rounds next year.
Hawthorn only has one Friday night match next year and will also play a home game at Etihad Stadium against West Coast, even though the club requested the AFL to schedule their home matches at MCG and Launceston only.
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Love to know who St.Kilda were sleeping with getting 3 Friday Nights and Good FridayâŚ
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Or Carlton with 4? That is ridiculous they should have 0.
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With the fixture launched I am going to have a go at predicting the final 8.
Adelaide
Port Adelaide
Essendon
Geelong
Richmond
GWS
Melbourne
Collingwood
*I donât think Sydney will make it this year. I think Fremantle might be the surprise packet this year (not make the 8) but possibly be knocking at the door.
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Carltonâs comparatively to Melbourneâs is an utter joke.
Blues execs mustâve been having some intense talks with the AFL, God knows how.
Perhaps their somewhat improvement?