Fixture 2026 AFL Fixture

[sideswipe]

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

So now it's the nomenclature that bothers you? Seriously?

 

[jmac70]

So now it's the nomenclature that bothers you? Seriously?

You have to admit that Opening Round sounds pretty lame.

 

[VinnieB]

Ideally, you have 20 teams and each team plays eachother once, with wildcard rounds and then finals. You end up only playing a few less games, but nothing dramatic. Players should be healthier, and the quality of the game should be better.

The AFLW should be playing at the same time. The last 4 weeks have felt like footy has ended, and personally, I have forgotten about AFLW games. Maybe the footy season is too long with AFLW extending it? Maybe AFLW games should be played exclusively on Sundays with no AFL game featured until their season ends?

I don't know, just throwing random things out there. Between AFLW, GWS, and now Tasmania, there's a huge amount of capital investment required by the AFL for years to come. My concern is the AFL lack competence, and may see the only way to fund this is to just prostitute the game for revenue

 

[VinnieB]

You have to admit that Opening Round sounds pretty lame.

It's funcked! Round 0. Genius......

 

[sideswipe]

Ideally, you have 20 teams and each team plays eachother once, with wildcard rounds and then finals. You end up only playing a few less games, but nothing dramatic. Players should be healthier, and the quality of the game should be better.

The AFLW should be playing at the same time. The last 4 weeks have felt like footy has ended, and personally, I have forgotten about AFLW games. Maybe the footy season is too long with AFLW extending it? Maybe AFLW games should be played exclusively on Sundays with no AFL game featured until their season ends?

I don't know, just throwing random things out there. Between AFLW, GWS, and now Tasmania, there's a huge amount of capital investment required by the AFL for years to come. My concern is the AFL lack competence, and may see the only way to fund this is to just prostitute the game for revenue

On what basis are you going with “AFL lack of competence”? Before you answer, turn your mind back to how the AFL was established, specifically the Commission, which had control of the game voluntarily ceded to it by the clubs. Things weren’t as good you might remember.

 

[Obese Arachnid]

You have to admit that Opening Round sounds pretty lame.

It should be called something like, Dozen Egg Round, Free Range Chicken Round or Anal Probe Round.

Thanks Matt & Trey.

 

[VinnieB]

On what basis are you going with “AFL lack of competence”? Before you answer, turn your mind back to how the AFL was established, specifically the Commission, which had control of the game voluntarily ceded to it by the clubs. Things weren’t as good you might remember.

No, I'm not talking about the VFL of 40-50 years ago. Ross Oakley, in my opinion, established the foundation for what the AFL actually is today. He got the buy-in of all clubs, making them realise the survival and success of the competition relied on the bigger clubs basically supporting the smaller clubs. His tenure saw the development of a professional administration and a far stronger (financially) competition.

However, I don't think the AFL commission since Jackson has been as good as it should be, particularly given its significant position in Australian sport.

 

[WanderingDude]

You have to admit that Opening Round sounds pretty lame.

But it does score some very unique sponsors.

 

[sideswipe]

No, I'm not talking about the VFL of 40-50 years ago. Ross Oakley, in my opinion, established the foundation for what the AFL actually is today. He got the buy-in of all clubs, making them realise the survival and success of the competition relied on the bigger clubs basically supporting the smaller clubs. His tenure saw the development of a professional administration and a far stronger (financially) competition.

However, I don't think the AFL commission since Jackson has been as good as it should be, particularly given its significant position in Australian sport.

Ok - so expand on “afl incompetence”?

 

[jmac70]

Ok - so expand on “afl incompetence”?

• Opening round
• No FTA footy on Saturday
• Umpiring standard
• Fixture inconsistency
• Weak response to player behaviours
• Wild Card round
• Rule changes without proper consultation and testing

 

[sideswipe]

• Opening round
• No FTA footy on Saturday
• Umpiring standard
• Fixture inconsistency
• Weak response to player behaviours
• Wild Card round
• Rule changes without proper consultation and testing

Subjective whining about things you don’t like.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

• Opening round
• No FTA footy on Saturday
• Umpiring standard
• Fixture inconsistency
• Weak response to player behaviours
• Wild Card round
• Rule changes without proper consultation and testing

Ok I’ll bite

Opening Round
I think it’s unnecessary but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Glad other vic teams are sharing the love though
No FTA on Saturday
Meh it’s been replaced with Thursday. Most viewers have paid options these days
Umpiring standard
Unsure if that’s right or wrong and whether it’s the umpires or the rules that create inconsistencies … or the coaches looking for the next loophole or tactic. It’s a problem as old as the game itself
Fixture inconsistency
Totally agree
Weak response to player behaviours
Not sure but tanner bruhn quietly missed the whole season after being secretly suspended for an offence however the charges never made it to court. It’s always complicated and case by case basis.
Wild card round
Horrible decision
Rule changes without consultation
They own the game so rule changes are their responsibility , doesn’t always need a popularity vote. Often the worst rule changes are when they actually bow to external pressure

 

[sr36]

So now it's the nomenclature that bothers you? Seriously?

It's more than the nomenclature. The Opening round concept hasn't worked as a marketing tool and it creates further inequality in the fixture with what it does in terms of byes and teams having played a game against teams that haven't in Round 1. It has become a 25 round season with half the teams getting their first bye before they've played a game - it's just silly. Keep the 25 week season and spread out the byes more appropriately within it.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

It's more than the nomenclature. The Opening round concept hasn't worked as a marketing tool and it creates further inequality in the fixture with what it does in terms of byes and teams having played a game against teams that haven't in Round 1. It has become a 25 round season with half the teams getting their first bye before they've played a game - it's just silly. Keep the 25 week season and spread out the byes more appropriately within it.

I think you’re overthinking it. Whether teams have an early bye in round zero or round 3 or 4 won’t have any material effect on the ladder at the end of the season.

There are other inefficiencies with the draw that can have a far greater effect than that

And whether or not it’s a marketing failure is not something that affects my life as a viewer. It could still be a success if they stick with it, weather last season didn’t help of course

 

[sr36]

I think you’re overthinking it. Whether teams have an early bye in round zero or round 3 or 4 won’t have any material effect on the ladder at the end of the season.

I think it's a distinct advantage to have played a game the week before if you're playing a team who hasn't played since August/Sept.

Having only half the comp playing in opening round creates that situation and is a failed concept that doesn't seem to have a benefit. The extra week in the season obviously has a benefit but only hlaf th teams playing?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I think it's a distinct advantage to have played a game the week before if you're playing a team who hasn't played since August/Sept.

Having only half the comp playing in opening round creates that situation and is a failed concept that doesn't seem to have a benefit. The extra week in the season obviously has a benefit but only hlaf th teams playing?

Agree there’s no real benefits but I disagree that it’s actually creating any material disadvantages either. The byes are ridiculously early in the year for all teams.

People don’t like opening round because they don’t like it. I think the pushback is a little overblown. I personally don’t give a rats either way as long as the travelling Vic clubs aren’t the same every year ( ie not us)

 

[cfc19902010]

We get a prime time draw because we are the biggest pulling team in the AFL.

Cats get to play in Geelong at their boutique stadium.

and because they are the love child of the afl and have many friends in high places at AFL house

 

[cfc19902010]

Ok - so expand on “afl incompetence”?

You’d need a 12 volume thesis

 

[JLC]

So now it's the nomenclature that bothers you? Seriously?

There was no need for another gimmick and not having all teams playing. Completely unnecessary.

Round 1 is about hope for the upcoming season. It should be exciting and fresh.

The round 1 fixture should have all teams playing in their home state. No one wants to go and watch their team in their first home game when they already 0-1.

 

[sideswipe]

There was no need for another gimmick and not having all teams playing. Completely unnecessary.

Round 1 is about hope for the upcoming season. It should be exciting and fresh.

The round 1 fixture should have all teams playing in their home state. No one wants to go and watch their team in their first home game when they already 0-1.

Now you are just getting carried away. And it would be wasteful to schedule all the "local derby" games in the opening round. Those games are big draws throughout the season.

 

[Gaspard]

The point of opening round escapes me. If the AFL money men want an extra round to extract money from, then have an extra round. Pulling games from elsewhere and inserting extra byes ensures that the season starts in chaos. As soon as a game is played, we are struggling to evaluate our teams.
The mindlessness of going North in cyclone season was well attested this year. There will be other such years, because cyclone season won't move for the AFL.
If the players want a mid year bye, then get it over with over two weeks. Extending the bye season turns me off the game.

Umpiring standards have not fallen. That there are too many of them on the field, with slightly different understandings of their role ( a human condition) is not the umpires' fault, it is the AFL's. Like players, umpires have bad days, but if you have a close look at game replays without the stress of unknown results, you will see that in general, the umpires do an extraordinary job of seeing most offenses and giving a good decision when they see them. The directions that they get from time to time are the biggest issue.
The failures that surrounded Ginnivan's exploitation of the rules have only now drawn something like a reasoned response from the AFL. The explanatory videos that were released suggest to me that the situation is not yet resolved.

So the AFL does not get much of a tick from me. The above are only a few of its failings.

 

[sr36]

Agree there’s no real benefits but I disagree that it’s actually creating any material disadvantages either. The byes are ridiculously early in the year for all teams.

People don’t like opening round because they don’t like it. I think the pushback is a little overblown. I personally don’t give a rats either way as long as the travelling Vic clubs aren’t the same every year ( ie not us)

I'm glad that we're a club who plays in opening round - as I do think it's an advantage for R1 if you play a team that didn't play the week before.

 

[jmac70]

Subjective whining about things you don’t like.

Lots of people would agree.

 

[sideswipe]

Lots of people would agree.

Great minds think alike and fools rarely differ.

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

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

Hear hear.