Fixture 2026 AFL Fixture

[Kappa]

Is this the 1st time ever we haven't played GWS away?

 

[Kappa]

Main lack of equity in this fixture is that Brisbane gets the 8th hardest fixture in the competition.
How can this be justified?

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8th hardest fixture is assuming that every team in 2025 wont get better or worse in 2026?

 

[eddiesmith]

Unless I’m missing something, we have never played GWS twice in a season.

Is this the 1st time ever we haven't played GWS away?

No, we didn’t play there for 3 years before Opening Round started.

Interesting it will be our first ever meting at Marvel.

 

[Piesinmyeyes]

I still don’t understand the necessity to continue with “opening round”.
The fixture looks absurd with it.
What gains does it bring, showcasing?
Why do we always need to supposedly “grow the game” in certain markets?
Our game as a whole stacks up fine.
We were a market leader I thought, now a laughing stock.
We have been seemingly running scared in Victoria with VLandys shots across the bow. Not the goose I thought he was.
It’s a crap innovation..

 

[sideswipe]

I still don’t understand the necessity to continue with “opening round”.
The fixture looks absurd with it.
What gains does it bring, showcasing?
Why do we always need to supposedly “grow the game” in certain markets?
Our game as a whole stacks up fine.
We were a market leader I thought, now a laughing stock.
We have been seemingly running scared in Victoria with VLandys shots across the bow. Not the goose I thought he was.
It’s a crap innovation..

 

[sideswipe]

I still don’t understand the necessity to continue with “opening round”.
The fixture looks absurd with it.
What gains does it bring, showcasing?
Why do we always need to supposedly “grow the game” in certain markets?
Our game as a whole stacks up fine.
We were a market leader I thought, now a laughing stock.
We have been seemingly running scared in Victoria with VLandys shots across the bow. Not the goose I thought he was.
It’s a crap innovation..

Simplest answer is an extra broadcast weekend. That’s dollars.

The afl doesn’t consider the nrl as a true competitor. The nrl(V’Landys) has turned in on itself to be a rather anachronistic organisation and game, basically going with, “this is what we are, what we always have been”. Great for existing nrl fans and the game they love - but they aren’t chasing new/different viewers.

 

[VinnieB]

Simplest answer is an extra broadcast weekend. That’s dollars.

The afl doesn’t consider the nrl as a true competitor. The nrl(V’Landys) has turned in on itself to be a rather anachronistic organisation and game, basically going with, “this is what we are, what we always have been”. Great for existing nrl fans and the game they love - but they aren’t chasing new/different viewers.

I can only speak for myself (although I’m sure I’m not the only one), but I have become a fan of the NRL. In fact, I regularly tune into their games (not just Storm) over afl games given how many poor AFL games there are each week.

I have a number of friends in Sydney who have, in the past, looked down on League over Rugby, but have now switched over to being regular League viewers and attending games.

 

[Piesinmyeyes]

Simplest answer is an extra broadcast weekend. That’s dollars.

The afl doesn’t consider the nrl as a true competitor. The nrl(V’Landys) has turned in on itself to be a rather anachronistic organisation and game, basically going with, “this is what we are, what we always have been”. Great for existing nrl fans and the game they love - but they aren’t chasing new/different viewers.

Sadly the older, rusted on supporters are cast aside, in every facet these days.
The quest for $$$$ and a clickbait, generational restructuring to cater for the younger brigade is a ruination.

If the AFL ends up anything like the BBL im done.
I was hopeful the game was sacrosanct.
Now not so sure.
Whether it’s fixturing or game changing, too much incessant change.

Are we evolving or dissolving?
I was a happy dinosaur once..

 

[jmac70]

Sadly the older, rusted on supporters are cast aside, in every facet these days.
The quest for $$$$ and a clickbait, generational restructuring to cater for the younger brigade is a ruination.

If the AFL ends up anything like the BBL im done.
I was hopeful the game was sacrosanct.
Now not so sure.
Whether it’s fixturing or game changing, too much incessant change.

Are we evolving or dissolving?
I was a happy dinosaur once..

I think the AFL need to find a better balance between innovation and tradition.

I’m not a fan of Opening Round as it just feels too gimmicky to me. Gather around has been a good inclusion.

Not a fan of the Wildcard Games, particularly 7th place being dragged into it. I would be more accepting of a 9th v 8th stand alone game.

 

[sideswipe]

Sadly the older, rusted on supporters are cast aside, in every facet these days.
The quest for $$$$ and a clickbait, generational restructuring to cater for the younger brigade is a ruination.

If the AFL ends up anything like the BBL im done.
I was hopeful the game was sacrosanct.
Now not so sure.
Whether it’s fixturing or game changing, too much incessant change.

Are we evolving or dissolving?
I was a happy dinosaur once..

If the AFL hadn’t chased growth/dollars, the catastrophe that was COVID might have hit very differently.

The only constant in the history of vfl/afl is that the game has constantly changed.

 

[sideswipe]

I can only speak for myself (although I’m sure I’m not the only one), but I have become a fan of the NRL. In fact, I regularly tune into their games (not just Storm) over afl games given how many poor AFL games there are each week.

I have a number of friends in Sydney who have, in the past, looked down on League over Rugby, but have now switched over to being regular League viewers and attending games.

That might well be right - nrl has seen growth in viewership amongst the “olds”.

I have tried over many decades to get interested in League. Just doesn’t do it for me. Wish it did.

 

[Obese Arachnid]

As soon as it goes to conferences I'm out.

 

[jmac70]

As soon as it goes to conferences I'm out.

I think it’s inevitable that some sort of conference system will happen eventually. If it makes the fixture fairer, I am open to it.

 

[Obese Arachnid]

I think it’s inevitable that some sort of conference system will happen eventually. If it makes the fixture fairer, I am open to it.

No it's shit, very shit!

The fixture already compromises the finals. How the **** do conferences make it fairer!?

Conferences could mean that the top four teams are in the same conference. That could mean the granny is played between the top team vs the 3rd, 4th, 5t etc best team!

**** that shit!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WanderingDude]

No it's shit, very shit!

The fixture already compromises the finals. How the **** do conferences make it fairer!?

Conferences could mean that the top four teams are in the same conference. That could mean the granny is played between the top team vs the 3rd, 4th, 5t etc best team!

**** that shit!!!!!!!!!!

**** and shit are just so underrated.
Fixture is a dogs breakfast.
Conferences in a weird way they fix and create problems at the same time.

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

No it's shit, very shit!

The fixture already compromises the finals. How the **** do conferences make it fairer!?

Conferences could mean that the top four teams are in the same conference. That could mean the granny is played between the top team vs the 3rd, 4th, 5t etc best team!

**** that shit!!!!!!!!!!

We all know the only answer is going back to 12 teams each with their dedicated home ground. So each team plays 22 games, 11 at home and 11 away.

 

[domus]

I can only speak for myself (although I’m sure I’m not the only one), but I have become a fan of the NRL. In fact, I regularly tune into their games (not just Storm) over afl games given how many poor AFL games there are each week.

I have a number of friends in Sydney who have, in the past, looked down on League over Rugby, but have now switched over to being regular League viewers and attending games.

I try, but it just seems so repetitive. I admire their speed and power.

 

[JLC]

I still don’t understand the necessity to continue with “opening round”.
The fixture looks absurd with it.
What gains does it bring, showcasing?
Why do we always need to supposedly “grow the game” in certain markets?
Our game as a whole stacks up fine.
We were a market leader I thought, now a laughing stock.
We have been seemingly running scared in Victoria with VLandys shots across the bow. Not the goose I thought he was.
It’s a crap innovation..

Opening Round will disappear when Dillon leaves.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Opening Round will disappear when Dillon leaves.

It’s already been watered down with a game in Victoria which defeats the purpose.

 

[sideswipe]

Opening Round will disappear when Dillon leaves.

For that to happen the broadcasters would demand a reduction in their fees which then reduces the salary cap.

How do you think that will go down?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

For that to happen the broadcasters would demand a reduction in their fees which then reduces the salary cap.

How do you think that will go down?

Opening round doesn’t change the number of games played during the season.

 

[sideswipe]

Opening round doesn’t change the number of games played during the season.

Broadcast weekends are what counts

 

[JLC]

For that to happen the broadcasters would demand a reduction in their fees which then reduces the salary cap.

How do you think that will go down?

How about we just start with round 1, scrap the unnecessary byes in the early rounds and play a complete round

 

[sideswipe]

How about we just start with round 1, scrap the unnecessary byes in the early rounds and play a complete round

Do you understand the concept of more broadcast rounds equals more money?

 

[JLC]

Do you understand the concept of more broadcast rounds equals more money?

You do realise we can start with the number 1 and we could have a round 25.