Fixture 2026 Fixture

[Brewskies]

For me the double ups aren't nearly as hard as they look even though they are top 6 from last year as I reckon an interstate team double up is a lot easier than a Vic team double up. We never get trouble from Freo, Suns or Crows at home no matter how well they are going

 

[Max Caddy]

For me the double ups aren't nearly as hard as they look even though they are top 6 from last year as I reckon an interstate team double up is a lot easier than a Vic team double up. We never get trouble from Freo, Suns or Crows at home no matter how well they are going

Good points. Freo did beat us at home in 22 & 23 though

 

[cats_09]

 

[Gavin Excell]

Always look at the first month as it can be a huge factor in how your season plays out

OR - V GC away
R1 - Freo home
R2 - Adel home
R3 - Haw MCG

Would need to win min 2

 

[cats_09]

 

[cats_09]

 

[JackFlash]

The fixture is what it is, IMO there is no hard or soft games. We have to play all the teams and the double ups are a result of the team being so consistently good. Geelong can beat anyone on their day, so i can't see why they shouldn't be in line to finish top 4 again? Top 6 at worst? It will be interesting how every team handles the new rules! 10 games at home and you would expect they will win at least 8 of those?

 

[Tony Barber]

I don't care as much about the teams doubled up as I do about how they are assigned into the fixture in regards to 3 consecutive short breaks IE Collingwood at the G 6 days break to GWS in Sydney and back with another 6 day break to Hawthorn for example that's the killer 3 games in 12 or 13 days.

Thats extremely selective.
And I'm going to respond with same.

April 26 is the start on my fantasy.

May 2 - North Melbourne (effectively a bye)
May 9 - Collingwood
May 14 - Brisbane
May 23 - Sydney

Where did GWS come from? And Hawthorn.

Between April 26 and may 23 = 27 days and 4 games.
Pretty close to a game a week right?

 

[Tony Barber]

I personally like where our byes are.

As for who we play? Meh, let's worry about that in 6 months.

 

[Whiskers]

Not sure gather round matters. We still play every interstate side away except Sydney.
I’m just happy with your other points, no gws twice or saints at marvel.
Otherwise it doesn’t really matter who we get twice. We generally win anyway.

In 2025 we went 7-5 in our double ups and 10-1 against teams we played once.

People look at the fixture in a simplistic matter but what matters is if you get bogey sides twice, who you play at home instead of away and rests between games.

Last year between round 2-15 Collingwood had a longer break than their opponent. Thats massive being more rested everytime.
So in the back end they got shown up.

Playing opening round helps us early in the season with breaks but than it gets tougher.
5 day break vs dogs, 5 day break to the Gabba,

b2b 6 day breaks vs crows coming off a bye.
6 day break to Optus to play Freo who have just had a bye.

Some very tough interstate trips on a short break whereas they come off a bye. That’s where the issues are.

Just looked at Collingwood’s fixture.
It’s happened again where only once they have a shorter break than their opponent.
Geelong cop 6.
For example after Monday king’s birthday - that would lead to a short break, but last year Pies got a bye and Melbourne didn’t.

That’s happened again.
Mind you it’ll be Pies 2nd bye before Melbourne have even had 1.
They make Melbourne have a 5 day break to Essendon than go interstate until finally a bye.
Wouldn’t dare to that to Collingwood who are an aging team. Every days rest is important.

 

[cats_09]

 

[winty]

Just waiting for the conspiracy theories to start if we limp into 9th or 10th place at the end of the H&A season then manage to go on a bit of a run in September courtesy of the newly minted wildcard round.

 

[BotsMaster]

Oh - just realised we don't have to suffer through our annual losses to Saints at Marvel and GWS at KP next year

We can thank our Fixture Manager for that

 

[winty]

Just noticed there's actually 2 double headers at Marvel during the first half of the season - in Round 3 the Saints and Brisbane play at 12.35pm and then the Bombers play North at 7.35pm, and in Round 8 Essendon and Brisbane play at 12.35 and Carlton and St.Kilda play at 7.35pm. In both rounds there's also a game at the venue on the Friday night. Will be interesting to see if the surface manages to hold up after 3 games in 24 hours both times.

 

[cats_09]

Just noticed there's actually 2 double headers at Marvel during the first half of the season - in Round 3 the Saints and Brisbane play at 12.35pm and then the Bombers play North at 7.35pm, and in Round 8 Essendon and Brisbane play at 12.35 and Carlton and St.Kilda play at 7.35pm. In both rounds there's also a game at the venue on the Friday night. Will be interesting to see if the surface manages to hold up after 3 games in 24 hours both times.

I'm glad we aren't scheduled for that third match

 

[foxdog50]

Look i might be in tbe minority here. But I thought our fixture looks good for us

 

[Commando]

Short breaks are the biggest concern

 

[goyoucatters]

Look i might be in tbe minority here. But I thought our fixture looks good for us

For myself, I don't ever remember us having a more challenging draw than this one.

So I'd be genuinely interested to hear what you think a 'bad' fixture would have looked like for us.

 

[BotsMaster]

Look i might be in tbe minority here. But I thought our fixture looks good for us

I'm happy with it. Especially the final six games.

St Kilda @ GMHBA
Melbourne @ MCG
Collingwood @ MCG
Essendon @ GMHBA
North Melbourne @ Marvel
Richmond @ GMHBA

Plus Dogs fans are losing their shit about having to travel to GMHBA

 

[goyoucatters]

I'm happy with it. Especially the final six games.

St Kilda @ GMHBA
Melbourne @ MCG
Collingwood @ MCG
Essendon @ GMHBA
North Melbourne @ Marvel
Richmond @ GMHBA

Plus Dogs fans are losing their shit about having to travel to GMHBA

#dimmaandmarvelvibes
#theyhatethejoint
#weloveourcheatground

 

[jim boy]

It might look like the hardest - but that is just going on this year's form - which admittingly is the best we have. While I am not predicting anything I wouldn't be surprised if in the teams that we double up against, like Adelaide and Collingwood, slide substantially. Likewise in the teams we dont double up against, Essendon get the fitness back and climb substantially, or that the saints recruiting actually pays dividends or that the swans get there mojo back etc

Because we dont play other teams an even number of times, the fixture will always be a bit of crap shoot and only time will tell who are the winners and losers of this particular draw.

 

[goyoucatters]

It might look like the hardest - but that is just going on this year's form - which admittingly is the best we have. While I am not predicting anything I wouldn't be surprised if in the teams that we double up against, like Adelaide and Collingwood, slide substantially. Likewise in the teams we dont double up against, Essendon get the fitness back and climb substantially, or that the saints recruiting actually pays dividends or that the swans get there mojo back etc

Because we dont play other teams an even number of times, the fixture will always be a bit of crap shoot and only time will tell who are the winners and losers of this particular draw.

I get why people can see the Pies going backwards. I would have thought Adelaide have every chance of being a good H&A team again next year, though. What's the basis for people suggesting they'll go backwards? Almost all their POD players are youngish and emerging. So is it just the notion that other teams will have worked them out that has people thinking they'll slide in 2026? I would have thought their list is maturing and improving again, if anything.

 

[jim boy]

I get why people can see the Pies going backwards. I would have thought Adelaide have every chance of being a good H&A team again next year, though. What's the basis for people suggesting they'll go backwards? Almost all their POD players are youngish and emerging. So is it just the notion that other teams will have worked them out that has people thinking they'll slide in 2026? I would have thought their list is maturing and improving again, if anything.

I am not say they will, just that they might. They had a soft draw last year and they were terrible in the finals - that will play on their minds. And as you mentioned, will the developing players take the next step? Will other teams have them worked out? They rely possibly a bit much on one or two key players and if one or both get injured, they will decline. IMHO they over-achieved last year and under-achieved the year prior.

 

[goyoucatters]

I am not say they will, just that they might. They had a soft draw last year and they were terrible in the finals - that will play on their minds. And as you mentioned, will the developing players take the next step? Will other teams have them worked out? They rely possibly a bit much on one or two key players and if one or both get injured, they will decline. IMHO they over-achieved last year and under-achieved the year prior.

I totally take your point about the soft draw. I'm not as convinced about the other factors you mention. Any team that scores as heavily as they do is likely to win quite a few H&A games. And, unlike the Dogs, they actually have a capable defensive unit as well. I've got them pegged as top 4 contenders again next year, rather than prime candidates to slide right out of the 8. On the other hand, the Pies just could hit the wall pretty hard in 2026.

 

[andoman21]

Just waiting for the conspiracy theories to start if we limp into 9th or 10th place at the end of the H&A season then manage to go on a bit of a run in September courtesy of the newly minted wildcard round.

The last round will be another soft kill 100 point win....not sure thats the best prep