News 2024 AFL Fixture Discussion & Questions

[Giant Strides]

Based on the above, seems the bye could be aligned with when the Easter Show is on.

Yeah, that probably works for GWS, take a break in that run of games we can't play in western Sydney.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Yeah, that probably works for GWS, take a break in that run of games we can't play in western Sydney.

New Swans Taylor Adams and Brodie Grundy could be drawn to take on their former Collingwood teammates when the Magpies unfurl their premiership flag in round 1.

The latest version of the AFL’s 2024 fixture has Collingwood slated to host the Swans at the MCG in the second week of the new season, reuniting Adams against his former side for the first time since his shock trade last month.

It will be the second game of the new season for both sides who are set to feature in the league’s ‘Round Zero’ opening weekend most likely on March 8-9 in the northern states.

As this masthead revealed on Wednesday, the league wants to follow the four-game opening weekend in Queensland and Sydney with a full nine-game round 1 including three MCG blockbusters.

The Magpies want a big home game in round 1 to unfurl their premiership flag and celebrate their swelling fan base at a packed-out MCG, most likely on Friday night, March 15.

It promises to be an emotional meeting for former Collingwood vice-captain Adams who missed the grand final win over Brisbane Lions this year with a heartbreaking hamstring injury.

Adams, 30, was understandably in tears after the premiership win after failing a fitness test days out from the grand final.

He will be highly motivated to perform against his old side in the second week of the new season after being poached by the Swans on a three-year deal to lead the bolstered engine room in 2024.

The Swans requested more prime-time MCG games as part of their 2024 fixture after only five regular season games at the home of football over the past two years.

The Magpies are set to play in ‘Round Zero’ against GWS Giants (GS), Sydney Swans (MCG) in round 1, St Kilda (MCG) round 2, Brisbane (Gabba) round 3, Gather Round in South Australia in Round 4 before a bye.

The Swans secured Grundy and Adams to help beef-up their contested ball work and return to the finals after sliding out of the eight on the back of a 2022 grand final loss to the Cats.

Grundy is set to face his former Melbourne teammates in ‘Round Zero’ at the SCG as part of the four-game northern-states extravaganza.

Gold Coast will host Richmond, Brisbane will host Carlton, and the Giants will take on Collingwood as well as the Swans-Demons clash on the opening weekend to help grow the game up north.

GWS Giants are pencilled in to host North Melbourne in round 1, Brisbane Lions will head west to play one of the Perth teams, and Richmond take on Carlton as well in the traditional blockbuster Thursday night game in the second week of the season across March 14-17.

Round Zero’ is currently pencilled in for March 8-10, but the AFL is set to finalise the official name and details of the opening weekend by early next week.

The league will continue to thrash out details of the rest of the 2024 fixture next week before releasing it to the public on November 16.

The AFL has reserved the right to make changes to the draft version of the fixture before its official release in a fortnight.

 

[Giant YoYo]

GWS Giants are pencilled in to host North Melbourne in round 1

Either an error or the Pies home game would be played at GS (as previously rumoured) for round zero. Haven't heard any new information regarding that rumour in some time so I believed the idea for the Pies to a play their home game in Sydney against the Giants was dropped.

Surely the Giants would not have two back-to-back home games (either in GS or Manuka)?

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Either an error or the Pies home game would be played at GS (as previously rumoured) for round zero. Haven't heard any new information regarding that rumour in some time so I believed the idea for the Pies to a play their home game in Sydney against the Giants was dropped.

Surely the Giants would not have two back-to-back home games (either in GS or Manuka)?

Reckon it’s alluding to really “Round 2” against North Melbourne you’ll be playing at home and Round 1 (R0) is against Collingwood again at home to start the season.

Something interesting to note, with the NSW Easter Show next year starts on the 22nd of March and the North Melbourne match most likely being played on 16th or 17th March, would that give sufficient time for the stadium to get show proceedings done in-time.

If not though, you could lock that in as one of “Canberra” home games for GWS next year

 

[dlanod]

The NSW Easter Show next year starts on the 22nd of March though, while Round 2 against North Melbourne would be played most likely on 16th or 17th March, would that give sufficient time for the stadium to turn into show proceedings though after the match?

No we usually lost use of it a week before the show too.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

No we usually lost use of it a week before the show too.

Looks like it’ll be played at Manuka Oval then, which does make sense given North Melbourne’s history in the past hosting teams at Manuka Oval in the 90s/00s.

Just to note though, the AFL does reserve the right to make changes to the draft version of the fixture before its official release in a fortnight, so this is not 100% confirmed by any means according to the Herald Sun

 

[Giant Strides]

I guess we'll see when it finally gets published.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

No we usually lost use of it a week before the show too.

Well today’s article seems to think it’ll be played at Giants Stadium:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_MRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fpink-marvel-stadium-shows-could-force-early-change-to-afls-2024-afl-fixture%2Fnews-story%2Fb9dcd46302f216de0996ff9f055bc274&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=LOW-Segment-2-SCORE

Marvel Stadium could be out of action for round 1 next season due to two midweek Pink concerts.

Ground staff will likely need at least one week to repair sections of the turf following the concerts which are scheduled to be played in front of packed crowds on Tuesday, March 12 and Wednesday March 13.

It means the indoor venue will likely be unavailable for round 1, prompting the AFL to look to other venues including the MCG and Metricon Stadium to pick up the slack.

The MCG is tipped to host the traditional Richmond – Carlton blockbuster on Thursday, March 14, Collingwood-Sydney on Friday night, March 15, and potentially Melbourne – Western Bulldogs on Saturday, March 16 in round 1.

This masthead can reveal the Demons and Dogs are slated to play each other in a rematch of the 2021 grand final in round 1, but the league was still tinkering with the lineup on Friday.

Gold Coast and its new senior coach Damien Hardwick could also be the big winner from Marvel Stadium’s early unavailability as the Suns could open the season with a pair of home games at Metricon Stadium in “Round Zero” and round 1.

Gold Coast is set to host Richmond in “Round Zero” as part of the four-game northern-states extravaganza across March 8-10, pitting Hardwick against some of his Tigers’ premiership stars on the opening weekend.

A pair of Gold Coast home games would be an ideal start to the 2024 season for the Suns who are desperate to make the finals for the first time next year after making the big call to part with coach Stuart Dew mid-season.
The AFL’s fixture is set to be released on Thursday, November 16.

In round 1 Geelong is set to host St Kilda at a redeveloped GMHBA Stadium, GWS Giants are tipped to host North Melbourne at Giants Stadium, while Brisbane is preparing to head west to take on West Coast or Fremantle.

The Herald Sun revealed on Thursday Collingwood is set to meet former Magpies Taylor Adams and Brodie Grundy when the reigning premier takes on Sydney Swans in Round 1 at the MCG.

Collingwood will unfurl its premiership flag against the Swans.

The four “Round Zero” games are GWS Giants versus Collingwood (Giants Stadium), Sydney Swans against Melbourne (SCG), Brisbane hosting Carlton (Gabba) and Suns-Tigers (Metricon).

The AFL is in talks to finalise the name for the first weekend of the season. Options include “Round Zero”, “Opening Weekend” and “Go Round”.

Marquee matches include King’s Birthday Eve between Essendon and Carlton, Good Friday between North Melbourne and Carlton, Anzac Day eve between Melbourne and Richmond, and Easter Monday between Geelong and Hawthorn.

St Kilda will be handed an MCG home game against Collingwood, likely drawing an 80,000-plus crowd, to kick-off Round 2 on Thursday night, March 21.

Marvel Stadium this year hosted a Harry Styles concert three weeks before the season-opener, while Ed Sheeran performed at the MCG one week before the first game of the season.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Looks like it’ll be played at Manuka Oval then, which does make sense given North Melbourne’s history in the past hosting teams at Manuka Oval in the 90s/00s.

Just to note though, the AFL does reserve the right to make changes to the draft version of the fixture before its official release in a fortnight, so this is not 100% confirmed by any means according to the Herald Sun

Since the Giants became Canberra’s AFL team in 2012, we have only played Norths just once in the 33 home games played in 11 years in Manuka. Norths had left a bitter taste when they abandoned selling 2-3 home games Canberra for more $$ to move to Gold Coast, before then deciding to not accept the huge $$ thrown by the AFL to relocate permanently to the Gold Coast.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Since the Giants became Canberra’s AFL team in 2012, we have only played Norths just once in the 33 home games played in 11 years in Manuka. Norths had left a bitter taste when they abandoned selling 2-3 home games Canberra for more $$ to move to Gold Coast, before then deciding to not accept the huge $$ thrown by the AFL to relocate permanently to the Gold Coast.

Obviously that’s disappointing to hear, especially the decent crowds and success North Melbourne appeared to have in ACT throughout the 90s/00s before they shipped sail to Gold Coast for the $$$$$.

Would be interesting to know soon if it is being played at GIANTS stadium or Manuka Oval next year, cause I would have thought the AFL would be scheduling big Victorian and high-rated clubs over there now, given the Giants resurgence last season and for the reason of trying to grow the sport more in NSW (post-COVID era), so to schedule North Melbourne (smallest club in Victoria) for their second match at GIANTS Stadium is a odd-choice given what the AFL are trying to achieve with the sport IMO.

In saying that, if it means the ACT locals would be getting a high-profile club over their next season as a result, I wouldn’t complain and would probably go and watch them play (especially if it’s against Brisbane).

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Obviously that’s disappointing to hear, especially the decent crowds and success North Melbourne appeared to have in ACT throughout the 90s/00s before they shipped sail to Gold Coast for the $$$$$.

Would be interesting to know soon if it is being played at GIANTS stadium or Manuka Oval next year, cause I would have thought the AFL would be scheduling big Victorian and high-rated clubs over there now, given the Giants resurgence last season and for the reason of trying to grow the sport more in NSW (post-COVID era), so to schedule North Melbourne (smallest club in Victoria) for their second match at GIANTS Stadium is a odd-choice given what the AFL are trying to achieve with the sport IMO.

In saying that, if it means the ACT locals would be getting a high-profile club over their next season as a result, I wouldn’t complain and would probably go and watch them play (especially if it’s against Brisbane).

Had a thread on the Giants in Canberra here, but there have been 5 teams that have never played in Manuka against us - Sydney, Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and West Coast. To maximise attendance, the AFL will probably schedule the first 4 clubs at Giants Stadium rather than Manuka though?

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Had a thread on the Giants in Canberra here, but there have been 5 teams that have never played in Manuka against us - Sydney, Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and West Coast. To maximise attendance, the AFL will probably schedule the first 4 clubs at Giants Stadium rather than Manuka though?

Personally, was fully expecting ACT to host 3 of St. Kilda, North Melbourne, Fremantle, Port Adelaide or Gold Coast next year and anything else is a bonus and positive for the ACT public IMO.

In saying that though, West Coast could be a sneaky chance given how badly they performed recently (even though they are a powerhouse financially) and Essendon could be a option as the big Victorian club coming down for their first time given their mid-table relevance and their smashing at Giants Stadium this year (more unlikely then likely though).

 

[dlanod]

Had a thread on the Giants in Canberra here, but there have been 5 teams that have never played in Manuka against us - Sydney, Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and West Coast. To maximise attendance, the AFL will probably schedule the first 4 clubs at Giants Stadium rather than Manuka though?

Sydney (obviously) and Collingwood would be just about guaranteed at Giants indefinitely. Essendon or Carlton could end up at Manuka, given both of those get smaller travelling contingents than Richmond has over the last five years.

 

[Giant Strides]

Gather Round info released. Neither the venue nor the opponent should be a surprise!

GIANTS to Meet Suns in Gather Round

The GIANTS will meet the Suns in the second annual Gather Round.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

The fixture for the second annual Gather Round has been released, with the GIANTS set to take on the Gold Coast Suns at Mount Barker.

The two sides will clash on Sunday, April 7 at 12pm CST/12:30pm EST at the venue in the Adelaide Hills on the final day of the festival of football that sees all teams play each other on the same weekend in South Australia.

It will be the first time GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley

Adam Kingsley

Age

49

Ht

183cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.9

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.3

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.4

4star

K

10.4

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

takes on former mentor Damien Hardwick after the Tigers triple premiership coach took the reins of the fellow expansion side.

 

[Drummond]

Gather Round info released. Neither the venue nor the opponent should be a surprise!

GIANTS to Meet Suns in Gather Round

The GIANTS will meet the Suns in the second annual Gather Round.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

The fixture for the second annual Gather Round has been released, with the GIANTS set to take on the Gold Coast Suns at Mount Barker.

The two sides will clash on Sunday, April 7 at 12pm CST/12:30pm EST at the venue in the Adelaide Hills on the final day of the festival of football that sees all teams play each other on the same weekend in South Australia.

It will be the first time GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley takes on former mentor Damien Hardwick after the Tigers triple premiership coach took the reins of the fellow expansion side.

I will be there. Was hoping for Norwood again but they’re mixing it up a bit which is fair.

 

[Giant Strides]

I will be there. Was hoping for Norwood again but they’re mixing it up a bit which is fair.

We're looking to go across in '24. My wife's from Adelaide, so a bit of a catchup with relatives. Could have done without the Mt Barker trek though!

 

[Callums_Guns]

I will be there. Was hoping for Norwood again but they’re mixing it up a bit which is fair.

Mixing it up sounds good, look forward to a Friday night game for GWS at AO in 2025 against Port Adelaide

Still can’t wait for 2024 though

 

[dlanod]

We're looking to go across in '24. My wife's from Adelaide, so a bit of a catchup with relatives. Could have done without the Mt Barker trek though!

It's not bad but you definitely want a car and maybe stay local. Lovely area.

 

[Colonial]

 

[Colonial]

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Happy for the blockbuster start - the ground capacity would surely be reached?

 

[MelbourneGWS]

So based on this AFL release, the “Opening Round” will only consist of 4 games - with all the 4 Queensland/ NSW teams hosting 4 Victorian teams. Then there will be Round 1 the next week with all 18 teams playing, with the 8 teams that played in the so called “Opening Round” getting byes between Rounds 2-6 of the competition. I presume this is additional to the normal mid season bye?

Swans, Dees to start season as AFL reveals Opening Round

The AFL has revealed the fixture for the new-look Opening Round that will begin the 2024 season in NSW and Queensland

www.afl.com.au

 

[Colonial]

Great idea this. Except the NRL are playing games in Australia. Parra plays same day at Parra stadium as us.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

You know it’s a good decision, when the entitled Victorians criticise the expansion teams hosting the opening weekend matches!

AFL fans erupt in unison over massive decision on 2024 season

‘Literally no one wanted this, absolutely no one.’

7news.com.au

 

[Giant YoYo]

You know it’s a good decision, when the entitled Victorians criticise the expansion teams hosting the opening weekend matches!

AFL fans erupt in unison over massive decision on 2024 season

‘Literally no one wanted this, absolutely no one.’

7news.com.au

Happy to let us know we don't get as many fans turning up to games. Also largely unsupportive of moves to help grow the game in northern states.