The 2017 AFL Fixture has been unveiled, and the big news is…
We’re going to China!
Venue, date, opponent – history in the making @PAFC Port Adelaide goes to China @TheTiserSport @theTiser #china #afl pic.twitter.com/rrGU9yi6wG
— michelangelo rucci (@michelangeloruc) October 26, 2016
And… Ballarat!
Ballarat gets a game of footy. You little ripper! Dogs v Port
— Jock Reynolds (@jock_reynolds) October 26, 2016
You like Thursday night footy? You got it in 2017.
Get ready for more Thursday night AFL action. There will be EIGHT Thursday night games in 2017 ✅.
Been a huge success @superfooty @AFL— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) October 26, 2016
And of course, that Good Friday game.
Glad Good Friday Footy is happening but North’s involvement almost make spending time with family seem not so bad.
— Titus O’Reily (@TitusOReily) October 25, 2016
In fact, the Dogs are the BIG winners from the fixture announcement.
Friday Night Opener at ‘G ✅
Good Friday ✅
5 Friday Nights + Thursday Night ✅
Cairns ✅
+ Premiers ✅
It feels good to be King @westernbulldogs— Blake Gramsbergen (@blakeg1993) October 25, 2016
But will our love affair continue?
Dogs have nine Fridays and a Thursday? That heel turn might happen quicker than I expected… #AFL
— Ryan Buckland (@RyanBuckland7) October 26, 2016
The Bombers have been handed a dream run in their ‘return’ to competitiveness.
Dream draw for Essendon.
Adelaide the only top-six side it plays twice. Also gets Carlton, Brisbane and Freo twice. Happy days.
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 26, 2016
The grudge matches are set.
Fixture notes:
– Sam Mitchell faces the Hawks in Round 5
– Jordan Lewis faces the Hawks in Round 7
– Deledio v Richmond in Round 9— 1116 SEN Footy (@SENfooty) October 26, 2016
As are the double up games.
Here are the double up match-ups. Tigers have Carlton Freo and Lions. Great fixture for Tigers. Dodge improving Dons as bottom 6 double up pic.twitter.com/cq1EU323fC
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) October 26, 2016
How tough is your team’s fixture?
2017 AFL Fixture
Teams vs 2016 Opponents Ave Season Wins#AFL pic.twitter.com/QFQmc89DcR
— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) October 27, 2016
Spare a thought for Brisbane fans. They have ONE free to air game for the year.
Brisbane have ONE nationally broadcast game all season. One. Seriously. A single game. Incredible #AFL
— Ryan Buckland (@RyanBuckland7) October 26, 2016
Hope you’ve got Foxtel, Lions fans. At least you’ve got an easy start.
AFL asked about why the Lions fixture is better early on. McLachlan: “It couldn’t have got any worse.” Fair call
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) October 26, 2016
That’s the way to build support in a non-AFL state!
Discuss the winners and losers of the AFL Fixture announcement here.