2026 fixture wishlist/discussion

[braddsey]

Honestly, I would prefer the little squib play against us. That turnover king would be our second best player behind Harris.

I was thinking the same thing as I wrote it!

 

[CarterS]

7 rounds of footy and we've had 2 home games.

Home, away, bye, away, home, gather round, away

Lucky statistically we are better away than at home...

 

[dlanod]

As a caller said on SEN this morning, which the NRL is doing well with double headers, is that given its school holidays and people are in the city in Melbourne, they should've scheduled a game starting at 5 or 5:30 and then gone to a game at 8pm.

Yep, that's the only time it'd work - 4:40pm to 7:00pm, 7:30pm to 10:00pm. The NRL works a lot better with their shorter running time, so trying to copy it just for the sake of it is painfully dumb (so likely to continue).

 

[Section 5]

I don't agree with changing the Blues v Tigers game. Surprised the AFL are considering a change.

Going into 2026 the AFL knew Tigers would be crap and the Blues likely not too far in front of the Tigers

Let's say you play these 2 later in the year when they are officially 18th and 13th.

The new season hope all teams have, the fans and viewing audience is taken away. They now know they are terrible.
The crowd later in the year is half of what it was in 2026 being 74,313.
This year a 4-point thriller (because they were evenly matched) with 74k screaming fans

But apparently that is not good enough for the powers that be should the rumor be true.
If it isn't broke leave it alone.

 

[royboy2]

Disagree I think its the best thing they can do, Watching Carl vs Rich Round 1 every year is like watching re-runs of M*A*S*H .

 

[Elixuh]

Idk that Carlton game last year where they had to cancel Sen membership day because they lost to the tigers was pretty funny

 

[KissKiss]

I prefer the option of the Prelim finals losers playing the opener. Then save the GF rematch for a few weeks so you build up to it

 

[dlanod]

Disagree I think its the best thing they can do, Watching Carl vs Rich Round 1 every year is like watching re-runs of M*A*S*H .

Disagree. I like reruns of MASH.

 

[Section 5]

Russell: AFL replacing “dud”, “silly” Opening Round with a worse idea

“Our AFL is big enough to have a start to the season that doesn’t include the MCG.”

www.sen.com.au

“The AFL is considering – and almost about to – replace the dud, silly, failed Opening Round concept with an even worse idea, if you can believe that there could be such a thing.

“What’s worse than an Opening Round starting March 5 with only the elite 10 teams playing, and eight teams and their fanbases totally excluded?

“I’ll tell you what’s worse – no football. No football in early March. Instead of starting March 5 with just 10 teams, we’re going to have no football in early March. No team plays in early March. We might have a State of Origin game, and that’s about it.

“There will be a two-week delay to start the AFL season next year, because there is a cricket match on at the MCG, and our ‘national game’ can’t be opened until the MCG is available.

 

[MSB ROYS]

“There will be a two-week delay to start the AFL season next year, because there is a cricket match on at the MCG, and our ‘national game’ can’t be opened until the MCG is available.

Marvel, Kardinia (GMHBA) Park, Mars Stadium in Victoria + every other ground in Australia available LOL! Amateurs...

 

[braddsey]

Marvel, Kardinia (GMHBA) Park, Mars Stadium in Victoria + every other ground in Australia available LOL! Amateurs...

...or once again it's nothing about stadium availability, fan engagement, or any of the above. More likely, the FTA broadcast partner doesn't want to cannibalise their own audience.

 

[martinson]

...or once again it's nothing about stadium availability, fan engagement, or any of the above. More likely, the FTA broadcast partner doesn't want to cannibalise their own audience.

Everyone knows. Coming up with their usual BS is starting to wear very thin.