Really obvious move, as far as I can see.
The AFL has been chasing the NRL earlier into March for the past 15+ years, it’s the whole reason the Opening Round nonsense exists - the fear that if northern state punters watch 2 weeks of NRL they’ll forget about AFL for the rest of the year.
The obvious problem with this is climate. It’s hot and wet in Queensland and Sydney this time of year, and the earlier in March you play, the hotter and wetter it is. It’s the poorest quality spectacle to “attract” fringe fans to the sport in the northern states.
The NRL doesn’t care because they play with a synthetic textured ball, and the game rewards ultra safe ball movement and strong ball security, so it doesn’t really break down the same way footy does on a greasy SCG.
On the other side of the range, it can still be a dry 35 degree oven this time of year in Adelaide and Perth.
Early October on the other hand is perfectly reasonable football weather everywhere, even in Brisbane it’s only hot during the day, and non-GF finals are always in the evening anyway.
And most importantly, everyone knows October is a sport desert and has been forever.
It’s too early for International cricket, and one off events like Bathurst and Caulfield only attract relatively specific markets compared to football finals.
It’s literally sitting there for the taking.
You’d have clear air national coverage of finals football with zero NRL outcompeting you in QLD/NSW. It’s a no brainer.
But of course… about 5 influential ultra traditionalists in Melbourne would be upset that Mike Brady won’t be able to sing “There’s one day in September”, so it’ll never happen.
The AFL has been chasing the NRL earlier into March for the past 15+ years, it’s the whole reason the Opening Round nonsense exists - the fear that if northern state punters watch 2 weeks of NRL they’ll forget about AFL for the rest of the year.
The obvious problem with this is climate. It’s hot and wet in Queensland and Sydney this time of year, and the earlier in March you play, the hotter and wetter it is. It’s the poorest quality spectacle to “attract” fringe fans to the sport in the northern states.
The NRL doesn’t care because they play with a synthetic textured ball, and the game rewards ultra safe ball movement and strong ball security, so it doesn’t really break down the same way footy does on a greasy SCG.
On the other side of the range, it can still be a dry 35 degree oven this time of year in Adelaide and Perth.
Early October on the other hand is perfectly reasonable football weather everywhere, even in Brisbane it’s only hot during the day, and non-GF finals are always in the evening anyway.
And most importantly, everyone knows October is a sport desert and has been forever.
It’s too early for International cricket, and one off events like Bathurst and Caulfield only attract relatively specific markets compared to football finals.
It’s literally sitting there for the taking.
You’d have clear air national coverage of finals football with zero NRL outcompeting you in QLD/NSW. It’s a no brainer.
But of course… about 5 influential ultra traditionalists in Melbourne would be upset that Mike Brady won’t be able to sing “There’s one day in September”, so it’ll never happen.
