Round 1

[Leslie_Chow]

''For Ross Lyon to come back to Melbourne to coach against St Kilda would make it a pretty big game.''
McLachlan said the St Kilda-Fremantle round one clash had come about ''by pure coincidence''.
''When the news came out last week, [AFL fixturing boss] Simon Lethlean sent me a message saying he was going to photograph his draft list of games for round one,'' he said.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/saints-dockers-opener-20110920-1kjlh.html#ixzz1YXbXazyU
​

Shame the game will be moved from Perth to Melbourne, but what a way to start our season

 

[Clay Davis]

I find it highly annoying that they fixture in this way.

 

[leeloo]

Yeah, 'pure coincidence'!

So will that be three years in a row that round 1 has been away?

 

[Leslie_Chow]

Yeah, 'pure coincidence'!

So will that be three years in a row that round 1 has been away?

Two, which is probably fair enough when we had two in a row in 2009/2010.

Obviously it isn't the best way to go about fixturing, but Im a tad excited to know that we will be involved in the most anticipated match to start the season.

 

[dugrene]

A 1st game in Melbourne for a WA team is rarity iirc. Mostly I believe because of the 3 hour difference that time of year we (WA Teams) finish up in Qld or SA.

If the game is against Saints in Melb round 1 I'd expect a night game on a Saturday which would mean 4.30 WA time.

As for the interest the recent events generate that make this fixturing attractive it can only add further to the rivalry that is building between our Clubs.

 

[sportsmaniac89]

That's bullshit. If the match is scheduled for Subiaco, it should be played at Subiaco. It shouldn't be manipulated in such a manner but then again, I'm not surprised.

Also it is a Caro article so again, it'll be treated like the shit it deserves to be until it comes out in the fixture.

Then again, it'd be a massive start to the season but just means my safety cannot be guaranteed @ Etihad as St Kilda fans will be out screaming murder and taking it out on Freo fans, players and Ross Lyon.

 

[Freo Dr]

You can also lock in that we will again be playing St Kilda twice next year because of this.
Fixturing is just bollocks the way it is done - Carlton Richmond game mentioned another example. I would prefer to see say Port versus Adelaide which we never get to see on live TV in WA than that lopsided contest just because they are two of the traditional 'big four' victorian clubs and a lot of Victorian viewers would probably feel the same - a game between roughly evenly matched teams regardless of their following and state is better viewing than just rolling out big four 'blockbusters' year after year.

 

[The Purple Hill]

Why is everyone so negative about this? I say bring it on.
Maybe some supporters need what a few of our players need to do ( i.e toughen up)

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Yeah, 'pure coincidence'!

So will that be three years in a row that round 1 has been away?

You guys can have Rd 1 at home every year if we get the last round at home every year!

Seriously - would much rather be at home in Rd 22 - and not give a shit about Rd 1.

 

[Clay Davis]

You guys can have Rd 1 at home every year if we get the last round at home every year!

Seriously - would much rather be at home in Rd 22 - and not give a shit about Rd 1.

We had the first and last rounds away this year.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

We had the first and last rounds away this year.

Yeah - and we had 1st and last rounds away in 2010

But in 2009 we had rd 1 away - but rd 22 at home

In 2008 we had rd 1 home - but rd 22 away

So the last 4 years rd 22 has been alternating. By design - you guys should have rd 22 at home next year.

What happens with Rd 1 is irrelevant IMO - rd 22 is the important fixture

It's not like either club is like North or POrt needing every bit of marketing advantage it can get.

 

[Ferntree Freo]

That's bullshit. If the match is scheduled for Subiaco, it should be played at Subiaco. It shouldn't be manipulated in such a manner but then again, I'm not surprised.

Also it is a Caro article so again, it'll be treated like the shit it deserves to be until it comes out in the fixture.

Then again, it'd be a massive start to the season but just means my safety cannot be guaranteed @ Etihad as St Kilda fans will be out screaming murder and taking it out on Freo fans, players and Ross Lyon.

I'll protect you......don't know who will protect us though

 

[longsuffreosupp]

I hope we get Collingwood away the fortnight after and then the Hawks away the fortnight after that. If you have a decent enough preseason, even against the top teams it will be 50/50 early into the season.

 

[sportsmaniac89]

I'll protect you......don't know who will protect us though

Not Etihad security, that's for sure.

Bunch of filth that they are

 

[Nickos66]

Would be great to verse them first up. We can meet them head on with our new toughened resolve, gameplan and new found integrity. Bring it on.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

Depending on how we look in the NAB cup, I am marking this down as a maybe to fly over and watch life at le Etihad

 

[tacopavlich]

Hmm focusing on manipulating our fixture based on $$$. And some people still think AFL isn't a business.

 

[shibz_1989]

What a farce! WC had both open and closing rounds at home this season, therefore it's out turn! Stop changing things just to increase your profits you morons!!!!

 

[malpaso]

It's ok with me if it means more home games at the pointy end of the season.

 

[Aussiblood]

Fixture tinkered to line AFL pockets
Fixture weighted on previous year finish

 

[Arcassius]

Then again, it'd be a massive start to the season but just means my safety cannot be guaranteed @ Etihad as St Kilda fans will be out screaming murder and taking it out on Freo fans, players and Ross Lyon.

Sit with Seppo - safety in numbers

 

[Seppo]

I'm quite excited that the first game is in Melbourne. I hope we come out guns blazing and have a point to prove against the 'aints.

Is the fixture finalised in early November?

 

[bfff]

I don't think St Kilda v Freo at Etihad would draw a bigger crowd than at Subi.

 

[sportsmaniac89]

Sit with Seppo - safety in numbers

We'll see

I probably belong with the ferals on level 3 though in all honesty

I won't be missing this game for the world though.

 

[mr.11]

I don't think St Kilda v Freo at Etihad would draw a bigger crowd than at Subi.

I agree...This could be potentially a sell out at Subiaco,whereas if played at Etihad this would only get around 30,000 - 35,000!