2026 fixture wishlist/discussion

[McLuggages]

So GWS/Freo switch with Hawks/Suns.


Top 6 x 3: Suns, Cats - actually don't really care out of Hawks, Crows or Pies - Pies looks the easiest.
Middle 6 x 2: Freo/GWS/Syd/Dogs all look dangerous. Reckon we'll get 2 of them (GWS & Swans probably)
Bottom 6 x 1: Can't see them giving us any of the bottom 4 - so it'll be Port or Dees - same same - maybe Port at Gather round.

So something like Suns, Cats, Hawks, Freo, GWS, Port - one of those last 3 at Gather round- looks like another tough fixture.

 

[Lions2Good]

Would love to play Freo once and at the Gabba. Feels like we are always travelling to Perth to play them - Since 2015 we only played them once at home in 2016, 2017 and 2020 (Covid).

Happy to have an easier away Perth kill vs WCE, assuming the boys can actually be at their best vs a non top 8 side.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

We might not get a double up in the bottom 6 because of Adelaide playing port twice and Pies will be gifted the bombers x2 so that already cuts down top 6 vs bottom 6 double ups

 

[briztoon]

View attachment 2447312

So GWS/Freo switch with Hawks/Suns.


Top 6 x 3: Suns, Cats - actually don't really care out of Hawks, Crows or Pies - Pies looks the easiest.
Middle 6 x 2: Freo/GWS/Syd/Dogs all look dangerous. Reckon we'll get 2 of them (GWS & Swans probably)
Bottom 6 x 1: Can't see them giving us any of the bottom 4 - so it'll be Port or Dees - same same - maybe Port at Gather round.

So something like Suns, Cats, Hawks, Freo, GWS, Port - one of those last 3 at Gather round- looks like another tough fixture.

We’ll get the Pies as one of our double ups, as we have the Easter Thursday matchup with them.

 

[LionsOrDieTrion]

Would love to play Freo once and at the Gabba. Feels like we are always travelling to Perth to play them - Since 2015 we only played them once at home in 2016, 2017 and 2020 (Covid).

Happy to have an easier away Perth kill vs WCE, assuming the boys can actually be at their best vs a non top 8 side.

We played Freo at home in 2023, Will Ashcroft goal of the year.

I’d like us to play at AO for Gather Round since we are dual reigning premiers…

 

[McLuggages]

We’ll get the Pies as one of our double ups, as we have the Easter Thursday matchup with them.

That could be our one match vs them though?

 

[Section 5]

That could be our one match vs them though?

I agree with briztoon with the Pies double up.

With 82,326 turning up in R21 the AFL won't pass on that possible attendance

 

[Viceregal]

Work out what the hardest way to fit us into the paradigm and you will be pretty close.

Of course thst would be subject to their request to the algorithm to maximise the.number of Lion's games in Melbourne.

Just wondering to myself what answers.you would get from the various AI platforms if you described the structure of the comp, specified the required local derby requirements etc but finished with create a fixture over multiple years if necessary, that maximises competition integrity ... then the same question but that maximises profit or maximises certain Victorian clubs ...

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Will be curious to see Geelongs fixture.

 

[Elixuh]

I agree with briztoon with the Pies double up.

With 82,326 turning up in R21 the AFL won't pass on that possible attendance

The pf was the most watched event in Foxtel history as well.

I’d say the broadcasters will be pushing for pies lions double.

Then you presume we get the cats double due to the GF?

 

[McLuggages]

We might not get a double up in the bottom 2 because of Adelaide playing port twice and Pies will be gifted the bombers x2 so that already cuts down top 6 vs bottom 6 double ups

That's a great point, so not port.

The pf was the most watched event in Foxtel history as well.

I’d say the broadcasters will be pushing for pies lions double.

Then you presume we get the cats double due to the GF?

Pies will get 3 of us, cats, hawks, crows, suns - could make arguments for all. Suns least likely. I'd be ecstatic to get them twice.

 

[Elixuh]

When does the fixture drop?

 

[Section 5]

When does the fixture drop?

November 14 last year

 

[irel]

When does the fixture drop?

It has been the AFL’s practice to drip feed the season fixture in a staged approach, building anticipation, media engagement and darken any other sport's light to shine. The typical rollout follows this pattern:

• Stage 1: Informal leaks and speculation begin to circulate, hinting at potential matchups.
• Stage 2: Round 1 is officially released, accompanied by further rumors about key fixtures.
• Stage 3: The first six rounds are published, while additional details continue to leak and emerge through unofficial channels.
• Stage 4: The full fixture is released, with the final six rounds designated as a “floating fixture”, allowing flexibility for scheduling based on team performance and broadcast priorities.

One thing’s almost guaranteed: the AFL will likely mishandle the prime-time fixture yet again, because it just can’t resist pandering to the so-called Victorian powerhouse clubs.

 

[lions2010]

Will be curious to see Geelongs fixture.

I would love the Cats 2025 draw so the team can enjoy souvlaki's on the way home

 

[braddsey]

My wishlist:
1. no Thursday night footy.
2. no night game in Geelong.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

My wishlist:
1. no Thursday night footy.
2. no night game in Geelong.

That night game in Geelong was one of my 2025 highlights.
Is close-ish to home but that aside, beating them at Kotten-on Park is as good as beating Collingwood at the 'G.

 

[braddsey]

That night game in Geelong was one of my 2025 highlights.
Is close-ish to home but that aside, beating them at Kotten-on Park is as good as beating Collingwood at the 'G.

I loved everything about that game other than the time and location. I estimated i would get home at about 1am after the match (and would have had to leave home at 5pm to get there).

Give us a day game or Saturday twilight and I’ll be there with bells on.

 

[davemc_lions]

That night game in Geelong was one of my 2025 highlights.
Is close-ish to home but that aside, beating them at Kotten-on Park is as good as beating Collingwood at the 'G.

I too enjoyed the night game in Geelong.. Travel home with road works on the freeway was a nightmare though.
Would of been better on a Sat night so could of gone down earlier.

I hope we get 6 Melb games plus Geelong.

 

[010203]

4 games at the MCG, play at the Adelaide Oval in Gather Round, no games before 4:40 in SE QLD until May and a healthy number of nationally broadcast matches on 7.

 

[rye]

my prediction.

double ups: gc, geelong, collingwood, sydney, adelaide, melbourne
thursday night games: 4
friday night games: 2
(note above are considering the last 1/3~ of the year will be floating and unassigned dates when fixture releases)
(still less prime time than carlton or essendon will get)
opening round against geelong.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

my prediction.

double ups: gc, geelong, collingwood, sydney, adelaide, melbourne
thursday night games: 4
friday night games: 2
(note above are considering the last 1/3~ of the year will be floating and unassigned dates when fixture releases)
(still less prime time than carlton or essendon will get)
opening round against geelong.

Can only max out 3 teams in the top 6 for double ups. GC, Cats and Pies for sure.

 

[royboy2]

Gotta feeling we will get Adelaide on the Thursday of Gather round.

 

[royboy2]

Gotta feeling we will get Adelaide on the Thursday of Gather round.

Moreso now I look at it.

April. 2 Easter Thurs vs Pies
April. 9 Thurs vs Crows

 

[Dalions]

Moreso now I look at it.

April. 2 Easter Thurs vs Pies
April. 9 Thurs vs Crows

I don’t mind the idea because it saves us a potential 3rd trip to Adelaide.