That’s exactly the reason why.
If tomorrow night’s a cracking game (as most expect), it could deliver the biggest audience of the year in Sydney, maybe close to 100k.
But obviously not in Melbourne (which like Sydney for NRL / SOO) drives the AFL’s ratings.
Well 1st v 5th isn’t that bad to be fair.
Sydney are ranked No. 1 on form (I think the stat was Round 9 to now).
The Swans have been so impressive in recent weeks (following their complete opposite form during the first handful of rounds), that many critics are now putting them in the Top 8, even Top 4, a couple have even suggested the GF.
That is why Saturday night’s ‘Battle of the Bridge’ is massive.
Tonight’s ‘Battle of the Bridge’ rematch is on 7mate in Sydney.
Earlier in the year it was on the main channel & preformed poorly (albeit a one-sided game).
Tonight’s is highly anticipated & could deliver the biggest Sydney AFL audience of the year so far (despite being on 7mate)!
Correct decision by Seven & the AFL 
NB/
Main channel treatment in Sydney / Brisbane should be reserved for finals (if their local teams appear) IMO.
Why? Its a shame that the sport doesnt get more main channel coverage
It’s the correct decision from a commercial viewpoint. Yes, it might be a shame that AFL doesn’t get more significant TV exposure in the NRL states, but that’s life.
You could say the same thing about the Storm on Nine Melbourne. They have been top of the table and NRL premiership favourites most of the year so far, but only a handful of their games (the network televised ones) make it onto 9Gem down there. Apart from State of Origin, it seems that “'rugby” doesn’t rate on TV down there.
So by comparison, Swans and Giants supporters should be thankful that they get to see their team live and free on 7mate every round. Same goes for Suns and Lions in QLD, both of whom have been very ordinary this year.
Last night’s Sydney Derby was big on 7mate, for the 4th week in a row!
1k off tieing as the biggest 7mate AFL Sydney audience so far in 2017 & 2k off being the biggest 7mate AFL Sydney audience so far in 2017.
Outrated the Soccer friendly on SBS VICELAND 
Seven execs must be happy 
Just had a look at the next 5 rounds (excluding R23 - which remains unknown) & every Friday night game is a blockbuster.
Should deliver massive audiences, especially in Melbourne (which for the first year possibly ever, hasn’t had many 400k+ results, although when you compare to Friday NRL in Sydney which has seen a number of games less than or just on 200k… It seems impressive).
I think the AFL has done a good job at scheduling friday night games this year in general. Very few have been blowouts (although very few games have been blowouts in any game). Not giving so many games to Carlton and Collingwood and giving more to interstate teams helps.
##Round 18
Top-of-the-table clash to kick start the round
Geelong and Adelaide meet on Friday Night Football in an epic first versus second clash. The Cats have had a stronghold over the Crows in their last four clashes, but with both teams in fine form, the Crows will be confident of starting a new chapter.
On Saturday Night Footy, the Saints and Swans meet for a second successive Pride Game, this time at the SCG. A win for either team is crucial as they compete with a pool of teams looking to secure a spot in the top eight.
This week on The Kick, a Swan on the comeback trail, Alex Johnson joins us to talk about his challenging time dealing with injuries and making his way back to playing AFL football. The panel reflects on the greatest sport star cameo appearances in TV and film, and we ask Tim Membrey about the tales behind his tattoos.
At half time, we celebrate Pride Game when Sam Lane explores what the football world is doing to create an inclusive and welcoming community.
The West Coast Eagles are looking to make an impact come finals times, so Collingwood will be aiming to put up a road block at Etihad Stadium and take the points on Sunday Football.
We sit down to talk with Eagles forward Josh Kennedy ahead of his 200th game and we chat to Jeremy Howe about playing in the backline for the Pies and his masterful ability to take a specky.
TV Broadcast times:
Thursday 20 July
The Front Bar
Melbourne 8.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Adelaide 8.30pm on Channel 7
Perth 9.45pm on Channel 7
Sydney Late night on 7mate
Brisbane Late night on 7mate
Friday 21 July
Adelaide Crows v Geelong
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate, 7.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 7mate, 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Saturday 22 July
SANFL: Sturt v Central District
Adelaide 1.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Melbourne v Port Adelaide
Adelaide 4.30pm on Channel 7
WAFL: Peel Thunder v Subiaco
Perth 2.30pm LIVE on 7mate
VFL: Geelong v Sandringham
Melbourne 2.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast Suns
Brisbane 4.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Sydney Swans v St Kilda
Sydney 6.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 6.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane 7.20pm LIVE on 7mate
Fremantle v Hawthorn
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Sunday 23 July
AFL Game Day
Sydney 10.00am LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 10.00am LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane 10.00am LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 10.00am on Channel 7
Perth 10.00am on Channel 7
Richmond v GWS Giants
Sydney 1.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Eagle Vision
Perth 12.00pm on Channel 7
Footy Flashbacks: Essendon v Collingwood, 1990 Grand Final
Melbourne 1.30pm on Channel 7
Collingwood v West Coast Eagles
Melbourne 2.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Adelaide 2.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Perth 12.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane Lions v Carlton
Brisbane 4.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Monday 24 July
Talking Footy
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 7.30pm on 7mate
Perth 7.30pm on 7mate
Sydney Late night on 7mate
Brisbane Late night on 7mate
Basil Zempilas will be in overseas to cover the swimming championships in Budapest. Someone will need to fill him in for Sydney v St Kilda and Carlton v Geelong match. It will be either Hamish McLachlan or Jason Bennett to call the match.
Hopefully it’s Jason Bennett.
The 2017 E.J. Whitten Legends Game was launched at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium yesterday. Luke Darcy will captain the All-Stars team for the first time, while Jonathan Brown will return to captain Victoria. This year’s match, sponsored by Chemist Warehouse, will be held on Friday September 1, and broadcast live on Seven and Fox Footy.
Apparently Adelaide didn’t receive any Saturday night footy on Ch 7 last night?
Odd?
Can anyone confirm & explain why?
Must be some bizarre stipulation in the broadcast rights?
They got Saturday arvo instead?
Can they not have both?
Markets outside of Melbourne have always got more games anyway (Foxtel simulcasts - to show local teams).
New agreement in 2017. Sucks that it was also delayed according to the AFL broadcast guide.
I know Seven dropped producing Saturday arvo.
So does that mean markets outside of Melbourne don’t get Saturday night, if they get Saturday afternoon?
Permitting a local team isn’t playing.
Hypothetical… If a market has BOTH local teams playing in seperate games on a Saturday (one arvo & one night), does that mean they miss out on Sunday? Or would they get them all? 
This isn’t too hard to work out using the AFL Broadcast guide and put in any area you want.