Preview Round 1 2017 - Essendon hosting Melbourne on a Friday night

[Bombermania]

Because you're more likely to beat Hawthorn?

You're telling me vs Hawthorn is more enticing than vs Melbourne with Hibberd and Melksham?

There isn't that much separating the Dees and the Hawks so I wouldn't say one is easier to beat than the other.

 

[Mr Gurns]

Time for q clash to be called something else.

Warriena Wright Memorial Shield?

 

[pepsi]

If Richmond v Carlton can't pull 90k for a season opener, Essendon vs Hawthorn most certainly isn't.

Round 1 is generally a high attending round because people are excited to have the footy back and people go to multiple games in round 1.

I think this match up will create enough hype for mcc and afl members who don't support the hawks or dons to turn up. Weather being good i could see this hitting 90k, but more likely between 85-90.

 

[eth-dog]

1. Id argue the hawks are your number 1 for pure hatred. And until recent years, you were there's.

Nah, Carlton still holds that. I still hate Hawthorn with a passion however.

 

[raskolnikov]

1. Id argue the hawks are your number 1 for pure hatred. And until recent years, you were there's.

Personally for me it would be Hawthorn as I grew up in the 80s. Overall amongst Essendon supporters though Carlton hold the number one spot.

 

[TimothyJ23]

Salt from Bombers-hating folk aside, why are people upset that certain games aren't being played R1?

If you want (potential) mega-blockbusters to open the season you don't understand a fixture IMO. People will want to attend opening round matches regardless of the combatants - don't empty the vessel in Round 1 when important matches can be played across several weeks to maintain interest and support.

Just quietly I'm stoked Collingwood has drawn a home game at the G in Round 1, against a Melbourne-based side.

 

[JayJ20]

This is only our 3rd home game since 2000 in round 1

 

[Demonic Ascent]

Pitiful scheduling.

We played the Saints TWICE at Etihad last year and get them round 1 there...on a Sunday.

Meanwhile, a club found guilty of cheating gets prime time on a Saturday night against a top team.

Premier plays a non-finalist on a Friday.

2x not finalist to open the season.

*yawn*

The AFL just doesn't get it.

1. Opening game should be between Grand Finalist.

2. Lower placed teams shouldn't be hand-job'd prime time.

3. Essendon v Melbourne is a far more enticing fixture than...Essendon vs Hawthorn.

How predictably s**t.

Carlton v richmond
Collingwood v Bulldogs
Essendon v Hawthorn

3 absolutely rank games to open the season in prime time. And to top it off the Doggies don't even get the home fixture.

The only other game that holds any interest for the round (other than ours) is Crows/Giants. The rest of the games are absolute snorefests. Well done AFL

 

[Wild Bill]

This is only our 3rd home game since 2000 in round 1

Why is this an issue? You still get 11 home games. Also most of your round 1 games were in Melbourne.

This really is a storm in a tea cup.

 

[Rack Watts]

Why is this an issue? You still get 11 home games. Also most of your round 1 games were in Melbourne.

This really is a storm in a tea cup.

Most of them were in Melbourne? I'd like some proof of that.

 

[TimothyJ23]

Carlton v richmond
Collingwood v Bulldogs
Essendon v Hawthorn

3 absolutely rank games to open the season in prime time. And to top it off the Doggies don't even get the home fixture.

The only other game that holds any interest for the round (other than ours) is Crows/Giants. The rest of the games are absolute snorefests. Well done AFL

It's Round 1. Automatically all fans of all clubs are interested. Why waste that emotion/investment on a big game that will get the same attention no matter what round it's played?

Surely it's better to get the so-called "snore-fests" out of the way first?

Sidebar, might be worth actually watching COL v WB from last season - both games. Each were absolute crackers.

 

[TimothyJ23]

Most of them were in Melbourne? I'd like some proof of that.

R1 2016 - away to Suns
R1 2015 - away to Swans
R1 2014 - home v North
R1 2013 - away to Crows
R1 2012 - away v North
R1 2011 - home v Dogs
R1 2010 - away v Cats
R1 2009 - away to Port
R1 2008 - away to North
R1 2007 - away to Crows
R1 2006 - home v Swans
R1 2005 - away v Dees
R1 2004 - away to Port
R1 2003 - away to Lions
R1 2002 - away v Cats
R1 2001 - away v North
R1 2000 - home v Port

10/17 in Melbourne since 2000 (both Cats games were at the G)

 

[Halftimehero]

R1 2016 - away to Suns
R1 2015 - away to Swans
R1 2014 - home v North
R1 2013 - away to Crows
R1 2012 - away v North
R1 2011 - home v Dogs
R1 2010 - away v Cats
R1 2009 - away to Port
R1 2008 - away to North
R1 2007 - away to Crows
R1 2006 - home v Swans
R1 2005 - away v Dees
R1 2004 - away to Port
R1 2003 - away to Lions
R1 2002 - away v Cats
R1 2001 - away v North
R1 2000 - home v Port

10/17 in Melbourne since 2000 (both Cats games were at the G)

10 out of 17 is not most and 1 out of the last 4 is definitely not most.

 

[Wild Bill]

10 out of 17 is not most and 1 out of the last 4 is definitely not most.

Lol - how good is your maths?

 

[mikey127]

I think you will find Ess v Melb on a Sunday in Round 6 as will Coll v Rich if they keep Melb v Rich as the ANZAC eve game in round 5. Coll and Ess will have to play on a Sunday to have a 5 day break and I reckon the AFL will give Rich and Melb a 6 day break. Ess can't play Rich 2 times in 4 weeks so round 6 will be

Rich v Coll mcg
Ess v Melb Docklands.

 

[eth-dog]

R1 2016 - away to Suns
R1 2015 - away to Swans
R1 2014 - home v North
R1 2013 - away to Crows
R1 2012 - away v North
R1 2011 - home v Dogs
R1 2010 - away v Cats
R1 2009 - away to Port
R1 2008 - away to North
R1 2007 - away to Crows
R1 2006 - home v Swans
R1 2005 - away v Dees
R1 2004 - away to Port
R1 2003 - away to Lions
R1 2002 - away v Cats
R1 2001 - away v North
R1 2000 - home v Port

10/17 in Melbourne since 2000 (both Cats games were at the G)

It was an away game vs North in 14

 

[beta_condition]

3. Essendon v Melbourne is a far more enticing fixture than...Essendon vs Hawthorn.

In whose delusional world is Melbourne vs Essendon more enticing than Essendon V Hawthorn?

 

[Halftimehero]

10 out of 17 is not most and 1 out of the last 4 is definitely not most.

Pretty good Wilba, yours?

10 out of 17 games in Melbourne and 1 out of the last 4, whats the problem here old son?

 

[Higgs Boson]

Rd 1 v Saints at Etihad. Bloody Gil. 1v1 me scrub

 

[Lance Uppercut]

can't wait for the threats of turned backs that turn into absolutely nothing

 

[skipjack]

Doesn't take much to get people sooking does it.

 

[Shane Hird]

This round one match v Hawks will be our line in the sand game.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

VanDemonxx thread title needs updating.

 

[Donakebab]

Lol - how good is your maths?

Slight majority ≠ most.

 

[pazza]

By my reckoning, Essendon and Hawthorn haven't met this early in March since 1985 at VFL Park.

That day, the match, fixtured for Round 3, was moved as part of the Victoria 150 celebrations.

The match was held on Saturday, March 23.

Result:

Essendon 17.12.114
Hawthorn 15.10.100