2018 Fixture Discussion

[Punts]

8 6 day breaks
How many games at the MCG again?
Look at the first 6 games any injuries and we can be 0-6 again.
Play the top 6 teams twice

Feels like a minor premier draw rather than a team that finished 6th

Pretty good draw

 

[Cadsky]

I really feel indifferent about this draw. I was really excited about our draw this time last year and we stuffed it up first 6 rounds. This new draw has some good features and some drawbacks. I just can't get my head around playing Richmond at ES on a Thursday night rather than MCG. Only two MCG games is not great, we need as many G games as possible every year. At least our annual Geelong game is on a Saturday night this year. Tough start to the season this year too so we'll need to start out much better that last. Overall it's a so-so draw imo.

 

[Jewelsbon]

I seem to be the only person on here that is happy we are playing so many games at Etihad particularly Richmond. We play ES so well our chances of winning there are much better and I'd rather the four points and finish top 2 and hopefully play all our finals in Sydney and then hopefully meet an interstate team in the GF.

Hard to believe Collingwood getting the easiest draw Have they EVER had a hard draw?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I seem to be the only person on here that is happy we are playing so many games at Etihad particularly Richmond. We play ES so well our chances of winning there are much better and I'd rather the four points and finish top 2 and hopefully play all our finals in Sydney and then hopefully meet an interstate team in the GF.

Hard to believe Collingwood getting the easiest draw Have they EVER had a hard draw?

To be fair to the Pies they did come in the bottom 6.

I'm not disappointed about the Ethiad games, but would rather an extra game or two at the MCG.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

If the AFL want the GF kept at the G then I think interstate teams need more games there. Aside from our 2012 triumph the last time an interstate team beat a Melbourne team was 2003. In 2018 interstate teams play at the G a maximum of twice. This has gone beyond a joke. The decision for the Swans to player the Tiggers at Eddiehead is ludicrous. The AFLs credibility is descending to the nadir of Cricket Australia.

 

[PVF]

I'm still perplexed as to why we are playing Richmond at Etihad.

It's Richmond's only home game there for the season. They play Brisbane and Freo at the MCG, I would've thought we would pull a bigger crowd at the G than those two teams would.

The only reason I could think is because it's on a Thursday night.

 

[doona]

I'm still perplexed as to why we are playing Richmond at Etihad.

It's Richmond's only home game there for the season. They play Brisbane and Freo at the MCG, I would've thought we would pull a bigger crowd at the G than those two teams would.

The only reason I could think is because it's on a Thursday night.

I just did a quick collection of MCG games by interstate teams and it seems that every team has 2 bar the QLD clubs (Freo are probably lucky not to be in the same bracket as the QLD clubs). We were gifted with a lot of MCG games last year in comparison with 4, but, it seems the AFL has tried to even up the interstate clubs this year.

Fremantle - 2
Port Adelaide - 2
Adelaide - 2
Swans - 2
West Coast - 2
GWS - 2
Brisbane - 1
Gold Coast - 1

At first I was like WTF but after research in the fact that MCG tenants, due to 2 grounds in Melbourne, clubs selling games (WB, North, Hawks, Melbourne) regularly have 1 or 2 home games at Etihad to meet the minimum requirements at Etihad and not overload the MCG.

The extra games didn't help us last year, so, getting games at Etihad where we play really well and that game against Richmond is really away in terms of ground size for them, I have come around and really don't mind it. I would prefer to play Richmond at Etihad than the bombers their to be honest. (If for example you switched the home games)

 

[BloodySwan]

I'm still perplexed as to why we are playing Richmond at Etihad.

It's Richmond's only home game there for the season. They play Brisbane and Freo at the MCG, I would've thought we would pull a bigger crowd at the G than those two teams would.

The only reason I could think is because it's on a Thursday night.

Doesn't the AFL own part of Etihad? They stand to make more money from a big crowd there

 

[doona]

Doesn't the AFL own part of Etihad? They stand to make more money from a big crowd there

They own the stadium http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-10-07/done-deal-afl-signs-off-on-etihad-stadium-purchase

But have a hefty debt to pay off

 

[mtooler]

Like the thinking of Ethiad games, particularly if under roof, good for % no chance of wet weather slugfest off a 6 day break. In an even year next year top 2 will be priceless.