2026 Fixture Discussion - Release is Nigh

[Keys]

Clubs can now have double ups against 4 teams in their bracket of 6 instead of the previous maximum of 3

Means we should get double ups against 4 of Port, Melbourne, Essendon, Richmond and North. One against Freo who were in the middle 6 and just one top 6 team

I was close

Double ups against

• North, Richmond and Port from the bottom 6
• One team from the top 6 - Collingwood
• Freo from the middle 6, but also GWS which is a bit shit

Swap GWS for either Melbourne or Essendon and it would’ve been right

 

[Avalor]

When's the last time a wooden Spooner got reamed as hard as this? I expect our last two months to be pitiful beltings, especially given the shorter turnaround than our opponents more often than notm

The Suns first up is brutal, especially, remembering the shellacking we got season just gone in Rd 1.

 

[Rowan18]

The Suns first up is brutal, especially, remembering the shellacking we got season just gone in Rd 1.

We always get a Brisbane team first up (either home or away) to minimise the impact of travel on us or them. Sucks for us that we're shit and they're both good at the moment. We used to love it back in 2017 when it was the other way around.

 

[DorothyG]

Couple of things I noticed:

Dafuk is that time 9:30am?


3pm on a March Sunday. Could be brutally hot for the 1st half.

 

[Rowan18]

Couple of things I noticed:
View attachment 2476452
Dafuk is that time 9:30am?

View attachment 2476453
3pm on a March Sunday. Could be brutally hot for the 1st half.

I saw that 9am as well and couldn't figure it out. Isn't that 12 noon in Adelaide (assuming daylight saving is on there)? Seems crazy early

 

[Hook461123]

Frequent flyers: How long each AFL team will spend in the air during 2026

AFL teams will spend a combined 741 hours on planes in 2026. See where your club ranks 👇

www.zerohanger.com

No surprise

 

[Barrybran]

I saw that 9am as well and couldn't figure it out. Isn't that 12 noon in Adelaide (assuming daylight saving is on there)? Seems crazy early

Yeah, midday in March is not very smart. Only an hour earlier than usual I suppose.

 

[The Dodger]

Quirks of the fixture strikes again

Hey...I just find it strange that those quirks didn't favor Collingwood and Geelong this time as they always seem to do.

 

[The Dodger]

It does seem odd that for the last couple of years we seem to be given an unusually difficult draw based on those parameters. Last year was 6th hardest draw after finishing 16th the year prior. While Geelong's started as the 8th hardest draw after making a prelim. As well as the Eagles winning stuff all games since 2021.
This year people who wouldn't usually comment on anything relating to us are pointing out the apparent flaws that see us taking on more finalists than a team that made the finals.

 

[FatPizza]

Maybe the Vics are only pointing out how we're getting reamed because they can use another interstate club like GWS as an example of a team getting an easier draw?

 

[Keys]

Melbourne in R16 the last club to have a bye. Seven clubs will have had 2 byes before they get one whilst three clubs are having their second the same week Melbourne get their first

West Coast and Essendon don’t have their bye (R15) until 15 other clubs have had at least one, five clubs will have had two and two others are having their second the same week we and the bombers get their first

There are natural/unavoidable inequities in the fixture but the AFL go out of their way to create additional ones. Like an Opening Round that involves 10 of the 18 clubs who then get an extra early season bye and spreading each club’s midseason bye over a 5 week period so there’s an unevenness to the timing of said bye across the clubs

So much of what they do makes no sense and is often hated by the fans who are rarely, if ever, consulted in any meaningful way

 

[squashface]

View attachment 2476595

Melbourne in R16 the last club to have a bye. Seven clubs will have had 2 byes before they get one whilst three clubs are having their second the same week Melbourne get their first

West Coast and Essendon don’t have their bye (R15) until 15 other clubs have had at least one, five clubs will have had two and two others are having their second the same week we and the bombers get their first

There are natural/unavoidable inequities in the fixture but the AFL go out of their way to create additional ones. Like an Opening Round that involves 10 of the 18 clubs who then get an extra early season bye and spreading each club’s midseason bye over a 5 week period so there’s an unevenness to the timing of said bye across the clubs

So much of what they do makes no sense and is often hated by the fans who are rarely, if ever, consulted in any meaningful way

"It's what the fans want"

 

[Mr Q]

View attachment 2476595

Melbourne in R16 the last club to have a bye. Seven clubs will have had 2 byes before they get one whilst three clubs are having their second the same week Melbourne get their first

West Coast and Essendon don’t have their bye (R15) until 15 other clubs have had at least one, five clubs will have had two and two others are having their second the same week we and the bombers get their first

There are natural/unavoidable inequities in the fixture but the AFL go out of their way to create additional ones. Like an Opening Round that involves 10 of the 18 clubs who then get an extra early season bye and spreading each club’s midseason bye over a 5 week period so there’s an unevenness to the timing of said bye across the clubs

So much of what they do makes no sense and is often hated by the fans who are rarely, if ever, consulted in any meaningful way

I have a couple of simple suggestions that would fix Opening Round.

1. Include all 18 teams
2. Call it "Round 1".

Problems solved.

Another easy way to fix the problems would be to sack the people at the AFL who think all this is a good idea.

 

[Citizen Erazed]

To summarise the "assistance" we get/will get from the vFL

1. No priority pick
2. Ability to add Fin Macrae
3. Hard draw
4. Shorter breaks almost universally
5. Most travel

 

[DorothyG]

But why do some clubs get 2 byes, and others only get one?

Are they considering OR as a bye for the 8 clubs not involved? If so, that's dumb

Just no logic at all behind the fixtures

 

[stallon]

To summarise the "assistance" we get/will get from the vFL

1. No priority pick

?? we traded it for Starc

1. Ability to add Fin Macrae

And Dev

1. Hard draw
2. Shorter breaks almost universally

No 5 day breaks at least

1. Most travel

As always

 

[squashface]

Are they considering OR as a bye for the 8 clubs not involved?

Yes

If so, that's dumb

Yes

Just no logic at all behind the fixtures

Yes

 

[HoneyBadger35]

But why do some clubs get 2 byes, and others only get one?

Are they considering OR as a bye for the 8 clubs not involved? If so, that's dumb

Just no logic at all behind the fixtures

All clubs get two, technically.

It’s just that for the 8 clubs not involved in opening round, they get a bye before they’ve played a game.

 

[Doashuey]

But why do some clubs get 2 byes, and others only get one?

Are they considering OR as a bye for the 8 clubs not involved? If so, that's dumb

Just no logic at all behind the fixtures

 

[Shuestar13]

Greg Swann claimed not to have been a fan of the mid season bye rounds and was going to “look into it”. Management and the tv networks have given the response it appears.

 

[ioppolo]

I miss split round. Effectively the bye round. You could have your beloved Carlton vs Collingwood as a standalone Saturday night fixture.

 

[Cuzz09]

Should have 1 bye.

Middle of season

No footy for 1 weekend, all even for all.

 

[Eastcoasteagle]

81K views · 417 reactions | It’s a tough gig for the pies playing 17 games at home in 2026. Another stitch up for the non-Victorian clubs. #afl #footy #collingwood #westcoast | The Dropped Punt

It’s a tough gig for the pies playing 17 games at home in 2026. Another stitch up for the non-Victorian clubs. #afl #footy #collingwood #westcoast

www.facebook.com

 

[southcoast]

The Suns first up is brutal, especially, remembering the shellacking we got season just gone in Rd 1.

Traditional 'season opener' - well as much tradition as Tiges V Blues.

 

[InTheWings]

Frequent flyers: How long each AFL team will spend in the air during 2026

AFL teams will spend a combined 741 hours on planes in 2026. See where your club ranks 👇

www.zerohanger.com

No surprise

Even with our extra 'home' game against North.