Friday night double-headers

[MrAnonymous]

We've had a few Friday double headers this season.

R17 Carlton & Collingwood / West Coast & GWS Giants
R20 Essendon & Western Bulldogs / GWS Giants & Sydney
R23 Essendon & St Kilda / Fremantle & Brisbane

I agree with Tony Jones on the Sunday Footy Show this morning who is a fan of a concept. As TJ said, it gives you the choice to flick between the two games on the couch. If one is one-sided, then you've got the option of another game.

I'd love to see at least 10-12 Friday doubleheaders next season. Have the first game in Melbourne on Ch7 at 7.20pm, then the Foxtel produced interstate game starting at 8.35pm if it's in Perth, or slightly earlier at 8.10pm if it's in Adelaide. For example, you could have 8x Friday night games in Perth (4x each for the Dockers & Eagles), and 4x Friday night games in Adelaide (2x each for the Power and Crows).

During the rounds where there's just one Friday game, that can start at the normal 7.40pm slot.

Everyone wins. For fans attending the Melbourne based game, it starts earlier at 7.20pm, Channel 7 are happy because they get high Victorian viewers for the Melbourne-based match-up + interstate viewers for the second game simulcast on Seven, and Foxtel are happy because they get an exclusive game. Not to mention that lower-performing clubs such as West Coast get a few Friday night games for their fans to attend whilst Channel 7's ratings won't be impacted because they don't have to broadcast the game nationally.

 

[Orange crush]

Yep I like the concept

 

[LordLucifer]

Proposed the same thing on here some years back and got ridiculed for it.

With Tassie coming in folowed by the inevitable 20th team, there will be 10 games per round meaning that they need to get creative with the scheduling.

(eastern standard times)

Thursday - 7:30pm
Friday - 7:00pm & 9:30pm (second game played in Perth at 7:30pm their time)
Saturday - 12:30, 3:00pm, 5:30pm & 8:00pm
Sunday - 12:30, 3:00pm & 5:30pm

If the competition grows to 22 teams (and it will), then an 8:00pm slot on sunday nights can be added.

If the competition was to grow to 24 teams (I think it will but others disagree), then there could be a double header scheduled for Thursday nights just like the proposed Friday night schedule (7:00pm & 9:30pm) but it could be played in Perth (instead of Perth being on the Friday night) and the second Friday night game would then be played in Adelaide.

 

[deck]

The whole point of Friday night footy is to have a national stand alone game. If your going to share with another game and not get the national coverage it would be more convenient for the majority of supporters to play Saturday night.

 

[daniel_4tw]

We've had a few Friday double headers this season.

R17 Carlton & Collingwood / West Coast & GWS Giants
R20 Essendon & Western Bulldogs / GWS Giants & Sydney
R23 Essendon & St Kilda / Fremantle & Brisbane

Hilarious that the double headers is always you have two non-vic teams playing against each other. With all Vic game the alternative.

When was the last time there was a stand alone non-vic game Friday night game?

If AFL are so hellbent putting Carlton and Essendon every Friday night then yes please put a second game on so we can watch something decent.

 

[Underarm]

Hilarious that the double headers is always you have two non-vic teams playing against each other. With all Vic game the alternative.

No one had an issue when there were the same double ups on Saturday nights.

When was the last time there was a stand alone non-vic game Friday night game?

June 6th. Adelaide vs Brisbane.

 

[PerthBoy86]

I'd prefer a standalone Friday night game and a Sunday twilight game. Somehow, having a game on Sunday evening makes it less depressing.

 

[Clark G]

The whole point of Friday night footy is to have a national stand alone game. If your going to share with another game and not get the national coverage it would be more convenient for the majority of supporters to play Saturday night.

Is it possible that Thursday night footy is now the national standalone game? And with Saturday games on pay TV only, maybe Friday night has become the new Saturday night.

 

[AndyD]

Is it possible that Thursday night footy is now the national standalone game? And with Saturday games on pay TV only, maybe Friday night has become the new Saturday night.

Which all but proves the poster you quoted’s point. They have diluted the value of a Friday night game, so adding a more regular additional one just dilutes it even further. Of course, the scheduling of regular Thursday games will dilute the value of those also, if this season hasn’t already done that.

 

[kickazz]

I like the Friday double header, as mentioned gives you a better chance of a decent game to watch. Also in time it give a chance for more exposure to more teams for the general public.

 

[jwikked]

I love the Friday night double header. I'd be happy if we ditched Thursday night games, and had two games on Friday night.

 

[____]

The whole point of Friday night footy is to have a national stand alone game. If your going to share with another game and not get the national coverage it would be more convenient for the majority of supporters to play Saturday night.

This exactly. Any game on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights should always get Broadway treatment. Have no issues with Saturdays being paywalled because it's the easiest day to either attend the game or go watch at the pub.

Two Friday games should only be a thing if it's a public holiday or daylight saving (where you can have the first game at 7.10pm Melbourne time and the second game at 7.05pm Perth time/10.05pm Melbourne time with both games live on 7).

 

[voorhees]

not a fan..should be a stand alone game

 

[deck]

Any game on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights should always get Broadway treatment.

It's the reason clubs are clamouring over each each other for that time slot. It's what the sponsor pay the big money for.

 

[____]

It's the reason clubs are clamouring over each each other for that time slot. It's what the sponsor pay the big money for.

Exactly, it peeved me off a bit last week getting a Friday game that wasn't on Broadway. Friday nights are much worse for attending the footy than Saturdays, and should always get Broadway treatment as compensation.

 

[Walshawk]

If the persist they need to bring the east coast game forward to 7.20pm, and the second game 8.30pm SA (half time in other game) or 9.10pm WA (3QT). This will help maximise viewers.

But I agree than Sat is a better time for games not stand alone. Would also go with the above times.

 

[Seattle Mariners]

They used to have one or 2 of these a year circa 1999 - 2001.