The release of the 2025 AFL fixture has, as always, sparked passionate debate among fans, pundits, and clubs alike. While the AFL deserves credit for maintaining cherished traditions and introducing new initiatives to enhance the competition, questions remain about fairness and the balance of power within the league.
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The season opener between Brisbane and Geelong at the Gabba sets the stage perfectly, with the Lions unfurling their 2024 Premiership flag. This matchup reflects the AFL’s commitment to showcasing top-tier clashes early, ensuring maximum excitement for fans. Similarly, the continuation of the Easter Monday Geelong-Hawthorn clash and the QClash on Labour Day weekend highlights the importance of tradition in fostering fan engagement. These fixtures are more than games; they are events that carry the weight of history.
The expansion of Thursday night games, with 23 scheduled this season, is another bold move aimed at capturing prime-time audiences. While this provides more exposure for clubs and players, it also raises concerns about the physical toll on teams with shorter turnarounds. Balancing the spectacle with player welfare will be crucial for the AFL.
Gather Round, where all teams play in a single state, has become a standout feature of the season. Its success hinges on logistics, but if executed well, it continues to grow as a unifying celebration of the sport. However, the double-up matches, where some teams face tougher opponents twice, have reignited the perennial debate about fixture fairness. Fans of lower-ranked clubs argue that the system disproportionately favors higher-ranked teams, creating an uneven playing field.
Collingwood’s contractual obligation to play two home games at Marvel Stadium reflects the AFL’s commercial realities but also frustrates fans who feel this compromises the club’s home-ground advantage. Meanwhile, Geelong’s push for more games at GMHBA Stadium underscores how clubs are vying to maximize their strategic advantages.
Despite these challenges, the AFL has shown flexibility in accommodating club requests, which is commendable. Yet, the fixture’s impact on team travel demands and fairness remains a contentious issue. How do we ensure that the allure of prime-time games or traditional rivalries doesn’t come at the expense of equitable competition?
In the end, the 2025 fixture reflects the AFL’s balancing act between tradition, commercial imperatives, and fairness. While fans may never agree entirely on its structure, there’s no denying that this annual debate underscores the passion and investment that make AFL more than just a game—it’s a way of life.
