Rumour Opening Round gone

[MrAnonymous]

Ross's rumour: Key change coming to the AFL

THE RUMOUR FILE In what may be the Rumour File’s first ever “rumour as announcement”, Ross Stevenson has shared a key change coming to the AFL in 2027. “Take it to the bank,” the 3AW Breakfast host said. Press PLAY below to hear the scoop Image: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

www.3aw.com.au

Ross Stevenson says Opening Round is finished

 

[Gavin Excell]

 

[GWT6]

I'm convinced it was only bought in because they had promised Richmond and Carlton the opening match of round one every year.
To avoid having to tell those clubs it's a snooze fest and they are going to be playing midday Sunday, they ruined the entire season.

 

[Teen Wolf]

I'm convinced it was only bought in because they had promised Richmond and Carlton the opening match of round one every year.
To avoid having to tell those clubs it's a snooze fest and they are going to be playing midday Sunday, they ruined the entire season.

Whatever happens with Opening Round, there's no chance next season will start with Carlton v Richmond at the MCG.

 

[RAPPA]

Now let’s flipping drop Carlton v Richmond as the first game of round 1

 

[AndyLucimitis]

Now let’s flipping drop Carlton v Richmond as the first game of round 1

Make it Grand Final replay.

 

[MisterMarcus]

I'm convinced it was only bought in because they had promised Richmond and Carlton the opening match of round one every year.
To avoid having to tell those clubs it's a snooze fest and they are going to be playing midday Sunday, they ruined the entire season.

I'm convinced it was a ploy to move the entire season forward.

Play a couple of standalone 'opening' games for a couple of years, then make it all the NSW/QLD sides, then make it over half the games..... then it's "Oh having Opening Round is so messy, let's just have everyone start the same week".

And suddenly the whole season begins at the beginning of March

 

[Cam Payne]

One less thing to dislike. What the **** are we meant to poast about now?

 

[cherrypie]

Opening Round has been a massive success from a fan, critic and financial perspective. It is a landmark of our game and a wonderful initiative by Andrew Dillon.

I see no reason to remove it and look forward to Opening-Opening Round. A Round to Open the Opening Round.

This message Authorised by AFL House, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands

 

[STPer18]

I spit on flOpening Round!

 

[GWT6]

Now let’s flipping drop Carlton v Richmond as the first game of round 1

There must have been a contract in place that hasn't been disclosed that the AFL has been bound by - the only reason why they would scew the entire season with a nonsensical Opening Round.

 

[jwikked]

Dillon will pat himself on the back for this. Will announce he listens to the fans, and in the next breath - twilight grand final. Duplicitous snake.

 

[voorhees]

Dillon will pat himself on the back for this. Will announce he listens to the fans, and in the next breath - twilight grand final. Duplicitous snake.

guaranteed he will personally take a victory lap, mindless to the fact he is responsible for such a ridiculous season opening round.
fingers crossed they do ditch the concept next year.

 

[Drewy79]

All these decisions are based on money, nothing else. An extra round to add to the next lot of tv rights deals, 1 more week of eyes on footy media, etc.

It should have gotten the arse after the cyclone incident last year, forcing 2 games to be rescheduled. And the fact it is wildly unpopular with the fans. But while money talks, the league won't hear the fans

 

[Plugger46]

I firmly believe the opening match should always be the previous year's grand finalists

Makes it easy for new viewers as well

 

[Sqotty from office works]

Makes it easy for new viewers as well

Yep.
I continually run into thousands of new fans who point this out.

 

[frggr]

I firmly believe the opening match should always be the previous year's grand finalists

Makes it easy for new viewers as well

Love the idea.

Which venue? Presumably the winners home ground.

Unless it was Geelong / some Melbourne club in which case it would never be at Geelong.

Imagine unfurling your premiership flag in front of the opponents you smashed in a grand final.
Would be a spicy encounter.

The only downside I can see is that the two teams would always have the shortest off-season - but with no Opening Round malarkey, the difference would only be a few days and it would be even for both clubs - so about as fair as you can make it

 

[Maurice Mitchell]

I could have accepted the preferencing of the northern states if they had played the round over two weeks.

But to have a round a of four/five games followed by a whole bunch of byes and further inequity, was just stupid.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

So it should be.

The solution is simple; split R1 so the Qld & NSW based clubs get to host their first match without competition from NRL or other matches, then have the other 10 clubs play the following weekend. The AFL did a split R1 in 2013 and 2014.

 

[matthew_s]

I could have accepted the preferencing of the northern states if they had played the round over two weeks.

But to have a round a of four/five games followed by a whole bunch of byes and further inequity, was just stupid.

Completely excluding the WA and SA teams was just moronic.

 

[Mop]

I hate opening round as a concept so damn much.

 

[shaqsuns]

I might be the odd one out here, but I like the traditional Carlton and Richmond opening the season regardless of where they are on the ladder. It always brings 70k plus, and because they both have large fan bases, it brings massive excitement to the year.

 

[Plugger46]

Love the idea.

Which venue? Presumably the winners home ground.

Unless it was Geelong / some Melbourne club in which case it would never be at Geelong.

Imagine unfurling your premiership flag in front of the opponents you smashed in a grand final.
Would be a spicy encounter.

The only downside I can see is that the two teams would always have the shortest off-season - but with no Opening Round malarkey, the difference would only be a few days and it would be even for both clubs - so about as fair as you can make it

How does starting on a Thursday make you have a shorter off-season? Up until 2 years ago everyone started round 1 etc

But I agree.. unfurling the flag @home..after narrowly beating a team the previous year's grand final!