Opinion Should Showdown 60 in round 16 this year be a standalone fixture?

[GC2015]

We just saw one of the greatest Showdown finishes of all-time with two lead changes in the final minute of play. Is this enough to finally convince the AFL to schedule Showdown 60 in round 16 this year to be a standalone fixture?

 

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

Need another year of evidence AFL or keep hiding it behind double headers?

 

[1990crow]

Shouldn't even be a question

 

[lalorGOAT]

It's just another match to me so idc

 

[ibd77]

Nah it should play second fiddle to a Richmond vs West Coast game at the G.

 

[north_lad]

It's just another match to me so idc

Can't wait for Dreamtime at the G this year, promises to be glorious

 

[GC2015]

Nah it should play second fiddle to a Richmond vs West Coast game at the G.

On a serious note, the other games in round 16 this year are:

Brisbane v Sydney @ Gabba
Carlton v West Coast @ Marvel
Collingwoof v Richmond @ MCG
Fremantle v Gold Coast @ Optus
Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney @ MCG
North Melbourne v Essendon @ Marvel
BYE - Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda, Bulldogs

Brisbane v Sydney should probably be a prime time game, but surely none of those other games are big enough in 2026 to warrant standalone status ahead of the Showdown. Have the Showdown on Friday night standalone and Brisbane v Sydney on Thursday night.

 

[lalorGOAT]

Can't wait for Dreamtime at the G this year, promises to be glorious

Forgot we were in the dreamtime thread

 

[north_lad]

Forgot we were in the dreamtime thread

It's a great example of "just another game" i.e. Richmond sucking complete ass

 

[WhyAmIHere]

Just finished reading the game day thread. The showdown should be on delay on regional channels with highlights of St Kilda games been shown throughout the day. Lucky it is a big round for byes or this game would be hidden behind the St Kilda / North Melbourne scintillating event.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Yeah it was a great final minute of play. Fortunately the other game ended 40 minutes earlier, so I managed to flick over just in time to see it.

I wouldn't be buying into fixture talking points recited by the players. They love the TV money from weekly Thursday games, and they love having limits on 5 day breaks. But they can't figure out why Friday night double-headers are necessary. Not too bright.

 

[lalorGOAT]

It's a great example of "just another game" i.e. Richmond sucking complete ass

My team was winning flags when your mob was rebuilding. They are still rebuilding. Sit down.

 

[Cmarsh]

We just saw one of the greatest Showdown finishes of all-time with two lead changes in the final minute of play. Is this enough to finally convince the AFL to schedule Showdown 60 in round 16 this year to be a standalone fixture?

It was reported very recently that the tv execs did the numbers and they prefer nationally televised games to involve a Victorian club rather than the showdown. And just because one game was close doesn't mean the next game will be close.

 

[57 Milner]

And just because one game was close doesn't mean the next game will be close.

Thanks for your insight dude. Was last night the only showdown you've watched or can remember?

 

[Cmarsh]

Thanks for your insight dude. Was last night the only showdown you've watched or can remember?

I was replying to a poster citing one close game is a reason for the next game should result in a fixture adjustment.

 

[57 Milner]

I was replying to a poster citing one close game is a reason for the next game should result in a fixture adjustment.

Ok point taken. You don't think last night was a useful reminder of just about every other showdown and highlighting a quality product is of little value.

 

[HugeJohnson]

On a serious note, the other games in round 16 this year are:

Brisbane v Sydney @ Gabba
Carlton v West Coast @ Marvel
Collingwoof v Richmond @ MCG
Fremantle v Gold Coast @ Optus
Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney @ MCG
North Melbourne v Essendon @ Marvel
BYE - Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda, Bulldogs

Brisbane v Sydney should probably be a prime time game, but surely none of those other games are big enough in 2026 to warrant standalone status ahead of the Showdown. Have the Showdown on Friday night standalone and Brisbane v Sydney on Thursday night.

Collingwood Richmond will get Friday night.
Brisbane Sydney Thursday.
Hawks GWS Saturday arvo
Showdown Saturday night probably overlapping a bit with Freo Gold Coast Twilight game

Sunday games
North v Essendon
Carlton West Coast

 

[WhyAmIHere]

Is there a stand alone game tonight? If so, who are the ‘must see’ teams playing that deserve such a marque event?

 

[HugeJohnson]

Is there a stand alone game tonight? If so, who are the ‘must see’ teams playing that deserve such a marque event?

Can't wait for the Carlton St Kilda blockbuster

 

[WhyAmIHere]

Can't wait for the Carlton St Kilda blockbuster

Absolute cinema

 

[SC_Power]

Not this year but from next, I think the two clubs should merge their member seating and split the tickets 50-50. Maybe alternate by each bay, with a 50-50 on the hill.

Certainly balance and ramp up the crowd involvement, make the TV telecast even better, and it means that the crowd would be booing EVERY decision which would be interesting.

 

[HugeJohnson]

Absolute cinema

It's been pumped up on Fox Footy as the TDK and Silvagni grudge match. You don't want to miss this

 

[Underarm]

On a serious note, the other games in round 16 this year are:

Brisbane v Sydney @ Gabba
Carlton v West Coast @ Marvel
Collingwoof v Richmond @ MCG
Fremantle v Gold Coast @ Optus
Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney @ MCG
North Melbourne v Essendon @ Marvel
BYE - Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda, Bulldogs

Brisbane v Sydney should probably be a prime time game, but surely none of those other games are big enough in 2026 to warrant standalone status ahead of the Showdown. Have the Showdown on Friday night standalone and Brisbane v Sydney on Thursday night.

Surely the goal of fixturing for the fans should be more fans of the competing clubs see their teams for free?

So the 3 FTA games should be:
Thursday: Richmond Collingwood
Friday: hawthorn Giants
sunday: Essendon North.

With brisbane/Sydney/fremantle/GC/West coast/Adelaide/Port Adelaide being broadcast live into their home state.

This would mean The only team playing that weekend not on FTA in their state is Carlton.

If you want to watch good neutral games, thats what Kayo is for.

 

[RAPPA]

Made exciting because of umpiring howlers

 

[Underarm]

Is there a stand alone game tonight? If so, who are the ‘must see’ teams playing that deserve such a marque event?

Why does it matter? The game tonight isn't on FTA either.