The AFL has announced a radical new format to start the 2024 season.
In a first for the league, the AFL on Wednesday unveiled the fixture for its 'opening round', with four matches in Queensland and New South Wales to open next season beginning Thursday March 7.
The competition's official round one will then start the following week with the famed Carlton vs Richmond fixture at the MCG on Thursday March 14, and will include a full round of nine matches.
READ MORE: A-League teen poached by Euro giants for record fee
READ MORE: Man arrested over death of ice hockey player
READ MORE: Rivals prepared to poach talented hitman from Roosters
The 'opening round' is headlined by rematches of both 2023 preliminary finals as well as new Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick's first matchup against his old side.
The eight teams that play in the 'opening round' will have a bye between rounds two and six, with all 18 teams having played the same number of games by the beginning of round seven.
In explaining the move, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the governing body was presented with a golden opportunity to feature four matches in "major venues" up north ahead of the traditional start to the season.
"We were fortunate to be in a position where we were able to have access to our major venues in Queensland and New South Wales a weekend earlier than usual which gave us a unique opportunity to play these four games in key markets where footy continues to grow in popularity," he said in a statement.
"We are driven to have footy in every home around the country, whether that be playing, coaching, umpiring, supporting or volunteering and starting the season across Queensland and NSW will only amplify this desire.
"The four match-ups are big, with four of our biggest supported Victorian clubs travelling north, and we look forward to starting our season with real momentum before we head into a blockbuster round of matches in round one."
https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1724525577464619470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Dillon said the league's "opening round vision" also provided an occasion to build more marquee games and events across the season based on the success of the King's Birthday Eve and Anzac Day Eve games and blockbuster Gather Round.
"Given this weekend also falls on the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria, it presents a terrific opportunity for fans to travel north to support their club and enjoy an extended interstate break," he said.
AFL 'opening round' 2024
Thursday, March 7
Swans vs Demons at the SCG
Friday, March 8
Lions vs Blues at The Gabba
Saturday, March 9
Suns vs Tigers at Heritage Bank Stadium
Giants vs Magpies at Giants Stadium
AFL round one 2024
Thursday, March 14
Carlton vs Richmond at the MCG
The remainder of the 2024 AFL season fixture will be revealed on Thursday.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.