Round 1 next year Richmond vs geelong The pies to play the dogs...

[wrennyboy]

ST KILDA will officially be the AFL's newest member of the blockbuster club next year.

The league's biggest crowd-drawing club this season, the Saints have been rewarded for their new-found form and attraction in next year's fixture list, which is set to be released in about five weeks.

St Kilda will open the 2005 season against Brisbane at the Gabba on the Thursday night before Easter, replacing Collingwood who have played the Lions in the corresponding match over the past two seasons.

The Saints will also receive a huge financial boost by playing the Magpies twice next year. Lowly Richmond have had their blockbuster status diminished as they will only play Collingwood once in 2005.

The Tigers have played Collingwood in round one for the past three years, but will open next season against Geelong.

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Meanwhile, Richmond has made a cleanout of its football staff.

Joining sacked coach Danny Frawley after Saturday's final round game against Sydney will be assistant coaches Darren Crocker, Wayne Brittain and Paul Spargo and long-standing recruiting manager Greg Beck.

Beck will finish his association with Punt Road after the national draft in November.

New coach Terry Wallace will announce his staff next month, but the Tigers are expected to approach 2005 with one less assistant coach.

President Clinton Casey said mid-season that Richmond would prune about $600,000 from its under-achieving football department next year.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10578994%255E2722,00.html

[IDGAF]

The fact is we just have to cop it on the chin and start winning games of footy again

Fair enough

[tigermania]

I'd be happy not to play the big teams twice.

We need to play the lower teams more so we can win more games.

The crowds will come back only when we are winning.

[Crumden]

At least we won't be lulled into a false sense of optimism now we're not playing the skunks in round 1.

[GhostofJimJess]

Maybe we'll get Carlton and Essendon twice for a change ?

Whatever.

[froars]

Nothing wrong with playing the Cats - should be a healthy crowd after their season this year and our drawing power at the beginning of a season.
Suffer Pies - glad to see them not dictating the draw, but i bet they get every friday night

[Tigerland]

Don't mind that - although Richmond are financially screwed, it's by our own doing (Casey) and certainly reversable. The Doggies and a couple of other teams need to be given a few benefits and big games to get them back on track in the next few years. We don't want another Fitzroy scenerio. Always had a soft spot for the Dogs and as certainly not a team that I hate. Would guess that Richmond v Geelong would attract as many fans as Collingwood v Dogs - just more exposure for Doggies. Could be billed as the battle of Rich Man v Poor Man.

[Truetiger]

Yeah who cares if we dont play the pies in round 1 lol. I am sick of Essendon and Collingwood playing on Friday night lets hope we have a good year and they the afl give us a few more friday nights.

[sante]

we will start the season off with a loss then coz we never beat the Cats!! but playing Collingwood once is god and hopefully its our home game

[2 jam donuts]

Thank god we only play them once, that means it's only one game I have to boycott. I cant stand the ferals :mad:

[Tigers_07]

News is Casey may be asked to step down to make way for B.Schwab

[mellowyellow]

The fact is we just have to cop it on the chin and start winning games of footy again

Fair enough

Spot on