Which 2 teams should play the season opener?

[Andrew Mc]

Should be two teams on the up that people want to watch.

GF rematch should happen later than round one. Anzac Day would be good.

Agreed - have always hated the idea - you don't need the runner-up around when the premiers are unfurling the flag etc. For this reason though, round 1 for the premier should always be at home. They deserve that!

Round 1 doesn't need to be special in terms of rivalries, etc - the plain fact it's round 1 is it's feature.

 

[Franko Armani]

Coll v Wbd
Wce v Rich
Pta v Ade
Ess v Haw
Nth v Gws
Car v Gcs
Mel v Fre
Syd v Stk
Bris v Geel

 

[GeelongFTW]

Essendon banned players return game?

 

[Andrew Mc]

Essendon banned players return game?

Should be the lowest of priorities.

 

[schmuttt]

Essendon banned players return game?

As much as I'd like to smash them in front of 70K+, no way in hell should we glorify the return of convicted drug cheats.

Hawks vs Dogs at the G or Adelaide vs Geelong IMO

 

[Tulip]

Hawthorn can't play the opener and Easter Monday?

 

[FastLife]

Whats wrong with Richmond and Carlton?

 

[sportsmaniac89]

Grand Final replay - brilliant way to start the season.

 

[Murraj1966]

Weren't St Kilda and the Dogs going for a joint Good Friday match?

That'd be a good one

 

[The Falcon Strike]

The only benefit of Rich V Carl in the first round is both clubs will have yet had their spirit broken and might actually turn up to watch it.

Play it in round 5 and their seasons will be over.

 

[hoianbulldog]

The reigning premier should be given the season opener. Not a replay of the GF but against another opponent.

 

[Tiger2709]

Some teams with relevance. Why stick with 2 rubbish teams for it. Stupid.

Because these two clubs draw big crowds whether they are successful or not, something that most clubs can't do, ensuring a big crowd at the opening game, the AFL dont do anything unless its making them some good coin.

I'm not sure you understand the type of relevance that the AFL favours?

 

[BattlerGM]

Some teams with relevance. Why stick with 2 rubbish teams for it. Stupid.

Relevance? Hate to admit it but Carlton and Richmond will always be relevant

 

[Jeremias]

if not Blues/Tiges it should be a GF replay

Agree with this.

 

[The 747]

Because these two clubs draw big crowds whether they are successful or not, something that most clubs can't do, ensuring a big crowd at the opening game, the AFL dont do anything unless its making them some good coin.

I'm not sure you understand the type of relevance that the AFL favours?

Oh so if two other Vic clubs were scheduled for the season opener they wouldn't draw a big crowd?

 

[BattlerGM]

Oh so if two other Vic clubs were scheduled for the season opener they wouldn't draw a big crowd?

Excellent point. Give it to Collingwood and Essendon and then let them play again on ANZAC day

 

[Joey longshadow]

The season opener is usually played at the G
To get the season off to a flying start (yes I know it's a stretch ) the AFL want a big big crowd
Richmond vs Carlton
Collingwood vs Essendon
Or any combination of the above will achieve that
Hawthorn vs Geelong would do the same
And it's all but assured that the crowds will turn out for those games and the AFL know it
As for the rest of the teams in the comp I doubt the AFL could trust that there fans would turn out in force
The interstate teams because of travel and it only being round 1
And the remaining Melbourne teams because to be honest they don't even half fill Etihad stadium half the time
So I guess the AFL would probably like to share it around but feel they can't trust the fans of certain clubs to turn up
And on the evidence who can blame them

 

[MotleyLemon]

Stick with Richmond v Carlton. Be interesting to see if Dimma gets sacked if/when they lose in R1.

 

[Tiger2709]

How can you say you guys deserve a season opener. It would be like me saying the Lions deserve it.

There is an obvious reason they deserve it, they draw big crowds.

2012 - 78,285
2013 - 80,971
2014 - 62,037
2015 - 83,493
2016 - 75,706

Of the top ten crowds in the history of the game Carlton was involved 6 times, Richmond 4 times and Collingwood 5, so really tell me who else deserves it more than one of these three clubs?

 

[Tiger2709]

Oh so if two other Vic clubs were scheduled for the season opener they wouldn't draw a big crowd?

That would depend on how they went the year before, with Richmond and Carlton this isn't the case.

 

[bugalugs213]

Its time to give "the big 4" some coverage its been a lean 36 years for most of them.

 

[mikey127]

There is an obvious reason they deserve it, they draw big crowds.

2012 - 78,285
2013 - 80,971
2014 - 62,037
2015 - 83,493
2016 - 75,706

Of the top ten crowds in the history of the game Carlton was involved 6 times, Richmond 4 times and Collingwood 5, so really tell me who else deserves it more than one of these three clubs?

Plenty of other games that can draw big crowds.

 

[King_Steele]

Not Carlton & Richmond

 

[I Lost My Keays]

Adelaide v Port

Why not open , with the best rivalry?

 

[Ok Boomer]

Geelong vs Hawthorn.

* knows why that isn't already the case.

Or do the 2 grand finalists