Fixture 2026 Fixture Discussion

[BigFloppa]

Dogs v Hawks locked in for Saturday night at AO during Gather Round.

We didn't draw either of the SA teams so this is a win.

 

[Doggy]

We didn't draw either of the SA teams so this is a win.

Rather play Port than Hawthorn. I don't see getting them as a win.

 

[Bulldog rick]

I've heard on good authority that opening round is going to be rebranded " Nepo Baby Round ".
Teams in Qld and NSW will be joined by St kilda in hosting matches next year.

 Dillon congratulated the Saints and in particular Ross Lyon and their president Andrew Basset for their tireless work in constantly bitching and moaning and proving beyond doubt that they have all the attributes to qualify as an official nepo baby.

We look forward to this first ever Nepo Baby Round to start season 2026 said a beaming Andrew  Dillon.

 

[RWnBluey]

So far we know

0 - @ Brisbane
1 - bye?
2 - bye?
3 - bye?
4 - Essendon
5 - Hawthorn (Gather)

0- Brisbane

4- Essendon
5 - Hawthorn (Gather)

 

[WAbulldog]

I mean it’s not a bad time to play Hawthorn if they played on Easter Monday the previous round.

 

[grassman75]

We'll get the Nepo Babies in Darwin

We are waaaaaay overdue to play them on the Gold Coast

 

[grassman75]

Keen for them to somehow justify us playing one game v the cats and it being in Geelong again. Would be nice if for once we played them just at Marvel.

Since Covid we’ve played them 8 times, only two at our home ground. Totally makes sense.

Because Collingwood refuse to go there so someone has to. It’s why we need to keep building, growing the membership base and filling Marvel so we get noticed and make it hard for the AFL to justify sending us there

 

[grassman75]

From the Club.

=========================

We hope this message finds you well. The Club is writing to inform you about an important update regarding fixturing for 2026.

Due to current capacity limitations at Mars Stadium as it undergoes redevelopment and, after extensive consultation, the AFL has made the decision to relocate both Ballarat home games next season to Marvel Stadium.

This change will allow more members and supporters to attend, with all 11 of the Club’s home matches for the 2026 AFL season now to be played at Marvel Stadium.

As a valued full-season member who has already renewed, we want to thank you for your continued loyalty and commitment to the Club. In recognition of this, you will receive complimentary access to the two relocated Marvel Stadium games, meaning you’ll enjoy 11 home games for the price of 9 in 2026. Your existing membership entitlements will be extended into the 2 additional games.

Once the redevelopment is complete in late 2026 and Mars Stadium has returned to full capacity, the Club will play AFL and AFLW games at the venue in both 2027 and 2028 as part of its ongoing and absolute commitment to the region.

Our Club appreciates your understanding, and we thank you for your dedication and unwavering support of the red, white and blue.

Do I get 2 more free games as part of the 6 I can’t go to living in Qld?

 

[grassman75]

Yep, fairly sure mine went up 15 - 20%

Cos no one is paying for a Ballarat upgrade, we all pay for a Marvel membership upgrade but think it’s free

 

[lachy]

Anzac Day game away to an interstate club.

Thursday/Friday night home games against interstate teams.

Should be against the Giants in Canberra. Full house last year and great being at the Canberra War memorial for Anzac day

 

[grassman75]

So how the **** do we get another Semi finalist from the previous season for the 4th straight year and the Lions get North for the 3rd time in 4 and the Cats get WC. They should play the GF replay at gather round with the Crows and Power vs 3rd and 4th and if it’s them, then 5th or whatever.

 

[Cudi]

I mean it’s not a bad time to play Hawthorn if they played on Easter Monday the previous round.

Also might not be the worst place to play them as well, struggle at Marvel and G last few times against them.

 

[lachy]

Also might not be the worst place to play them as well, struggle at Marvel and G last few times against them.

We haven't played well against them at the G, Launceston or marvel recently. Maybe we should not be worried about where we play them, just bring pressure and intensity for the 4 quarters which we haven't done for a while and we may actually do that thing called win against them.

 

[WAbulldog]

Also might not be the worst place to play them as well, struggle at Marvel and G last few times against them.

That’s true too but we don’t have a good record at Adelaide Oval at the moment :/

 

[Bulldog in Kiev]

We are 100% vs the hawks at AO, just saying.

 

[grassman75]

We are 100% vs the hawks at AO, just saying.

We are also 100% v North and WC at AO

 

[_Cerberus_]

So we are the home team again for Gather Round? WTF

Why the angry react? It's irrelevant. It's a neutral game, one team just happens to be listed first, and it only affects our playing colors if that. We still get 11 home games like everyone else aside the SA teams. If they end up being a double up opponent, we could still be the home team for that one.

 

[_Cerberus_]

If the Lions in gather round is correct. Then my gut feel is they and the Hawks could be our double ups from the top 6 pool. Wouldn't be easy for sure if that's the case. But I don't mind it.

 

[Pocket Terrace]

Relax, the 'home' team has no bearing other than the kit you wear and maybe the change rooms you use. You can 'host' a team in Gather Round and then play them again at home later in the same year (eg GWS were the home team against Hawthorn twice in 2023). It's irrelevant.

It’s not irrelevant when you play Geelong in Adelaide and then have the return fixture in Geelong, or play Brisbane in Norwood with the return fixture in Brisbane, as has been the case for the past 2 years.
That’s 4 games against the current grand finalists, none of which on our home ground.
Gather Round is wank.

 

[Doggy]

Do I get 2 more free games as part of the 6 I can’t go to living in Qld?

You get a higher membership cost. Congratulations.

 

[Bulldog Brent]

Flipping hell. Back to Alphabet Stadium Friday night round 6.

That makes it 49 of the last 50 years we go down the highway.

I’m livid. Put it at Marvel and it’ll get 50,000. AFL has no brains.

 

[WAbulldog]

Flipping hell. Back to Alphabet Stadium Friday night round 6.

That makes it 49 of the last 50 years we go down the highway.

I’m livid. Put it at Marvel and it’ll get 50,000. AFL has no brains.

 

[Doggy]

Flipping hell. Back to Alphabet Stadium Friday night round 6.

That makes it 49 of the last 50 years we go down the highway.

I’m livid. Put it at Marvel and it’ll get 50,000. AFL has no brains.

Was always going to happen.

Looks a shit first 6 weeks ... again

 

[stevieg1969]

We are also 100% v North and WC at AO

We beat Haw at AO in 2020. I don’t think we’ve played Nth or WC at AO before.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

Those double headers are awful. Dogs v Cats same time as the Sydney derby, dogs v Freo same time as a showdown. All on Fridays. So ridiculous.