Prediction 2024 Fixture Predictions

[McIvor]

I have no doubt whatever benefits Collingwood would be the VFL’s sole focus with its fixturing.

 

[Dalions]

I would have thought that the four clubs would be happy to be playing rusty folks in round two and getting a mini refresh in round 3 or 4 rather than an extra week off at the start and playing through?

Unless they are teams that traditionally suck after the bye in which case sure.

(or did you mean 'I don't think 14 clubs will be happy'?)

I don’t think 14 clubs will be happy.
Or I wouldn’t be if that were the case.

 

[Grasshopper17]

4 teams will have a bye within the first few weeks to enable all the other 14 teams to catch up on the fixture.
Then the usual bye rounds for 18 teams whenever the AFL decides to have them mid seasonish.

The 4 teams will have 3 byes and the other 14 will only have 2 byes
I don't think 4 clubs will be happy.

But isn't that only 2 byes for 4 teams and 1 bye for everyone else?

 

[Section 5]

Let's say they go ahead with the proposal trying to put a spotlight on the northern states opps sorry Sydney teams.

Do they really believe that the 2 games will generate much additional interest in Sydney? compared to a usual fixture game.
It certainly won't get any attention in Brisbane media other than the usual brief mention and then the results.
Will the Sydney media drop any content from what will be round 3 in the NRL. No, they won't.
Will the Sydney media give even an extra page to the games. I doubt it, maybe 1/2 a page if the AFL are lucky.

I can't see the TV channels giving extra time in their sports coverage either.
They fit all sports into a tight time limit. My guess is they will give the extra 30 seconds time to the NRL teams.
Social media hard to tell but i doubt there will be any additional interest either.

Victoria media will cover those games more than usual as that's all there will be to cover.
However, i bet there will be more coverage on the following weeks fixture than the 4 games mentioned.
I am sure the Victoria media will burn the AFL for the proposal should it go ahead.

WA and SA will have not much interest to round 1 at all. They will concentrate on round 2.

The only positive i see is for channel 7, Fox and Kayo
Because only 2 teams are playing their viewing numbers should increase.
The downside for these media outlets is their viewing numbers will drop when 9 games are reduced to 7 in the bye round a few weeks later.

 

[Section 5]

But isn't that only 2 byes for 4 teams and 1 bye for everyone else?

Yes, you are correct.
Apologies to all.
Will edit my posts.

 

[Dalions]

But isn't that only 2 byes for 4 teams and 1 bye for everyone else?

Still got the bye before finals.
But that only suits the finals teams.
So could be 4 with 3 and 4 with 2 and 8 with 1?

 

[Grasshopper17]

Still got the bye before finals.
But that only suits the finals teams.
So could be 4 with 3 and 4 with 2 and 8 with 1?

What about the other 2?

Anyway the pre-finals bye should move to be a pre-Grand Final bye. 1 because of concussion and 2 cos I thought Grand Final week was so hectic this year it needs to be 2 weeks so us supporters get to enjoy it that little bit more

 

[Bosh Jootsma]

What about the other 2?

Anyway the pre-finals bye should move to be a pre-Grand Final bye. 1 because of concussion and 2 cos I thought Grand Final week was so hectic this year it needs to be 2 weeks so us supporters get to enjoy it that little bit more

Don't think we'll see the pre-grand final bye again, I believe it ruins the momentum of the grand final and its financial significance cannot be understated. At least with pre-finals theres 8 teams still on the hook.



For 2024 I am just praying we have a fixtured game in Sydney, 2022 was a great Sunday afternoon giving it to a good group of 10 mates who I have to endure every Swans game with, had to let them know about it.

But besides that we haven't been scheduled to play in Sydney for years. We've only ended up here for a few games due to covid when Lions played Melbourne, GWS & Geelong (was stoked to be on the receiving end of that Neale finger wag after the goal in the pocket, only for it to be downhill after that goal).

 

[Dalions]

What about the other 2?

Anyway the pre-finals bye should move to be a pre-Grand Final bye. 1 because of concussion and 2 cos I thought Grand Final week was so hectic this year it needs to be 2 weeks so us supporters get to enjoy it that little bit more

I can’t count

I am not adverse to having the bye before the Grand Final but I think that makes it worse with the possibility of 4 teams having 2 byes and the rest with 1 throughout the year.
The competition has enough inequities.

 

[mikey127]

Read in another thread Sam McClure said we play Carlton round 1 at the Gabba under the draft fixture.

 

[CarterS]

Read in another thread Sam McClure said we play Carlton round 1 at the Gabba under the draft fixture.

Friday or Saturday night preferably, Carlton always make for a big game at the Gabba

 

[BuntonRules]

Read in another thread Sam McClure said we play Carlton round 1 at the Gabba under the draft fixture.

What a wonderful start to the season. Flogging Carlton at home

 

[Tom14]

Northern exposure: AFL floats Queensland, NSW focus for round one

A total of four games would be played in northern states in week one of the AFL's proposed split round to open 2024

www.afl.com.au

 

[dlanod]

Northern exposure: AFL floats Queensland, NSW focus for round one

A total of four games would be played in northern states in week one of the AFL's proposed split round to open 2024

www.afl.com.au

That makes more sense - it means you're able to fill a weekend of footy on the TV still, while half the comp then has a bye a few weeks in so they can play each other after it to avoid the long/short break crap.

 

[Section 5]

Northern exposure: AFL floats Queensland, NSW focus for round one

A total of four games would be played in northern states in week one of the AFL's proposed split round to open 2024

www.afl.com.au

I mentioned this is what should have been from the get-go. But only using their narrow-minded line of thinking.
I don't believe it will make any difference in promoting the sport in both cities.

They are still talking about the extra bye for the teams playing week one.
Crazy stuff, just play the other 5 teams the following week.
I will be amazed if they don't come to their senses and just split the first two rounds.

As i previously mentioned it would be far better to promote the game in Sydney and Brisbane by starting the fixture early.
Two weeks early will have it at the same time as the NRL
Two weeks of nothing but NRL in the media leading up to the start of AFL is not promoting the game north of Victoria

 

[Cubs2Lions]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_MRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fafl-2024-fixture-four-games-to-open-afl-season-before-round-1%2Fnews-story%2Fe146c777d9d686f88544b408a05af10e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE

The first four games of the 2024 AFL season have been labelled “Round Zero” by clubs as part of the new northern-states extravaganza.

The league will meet over the next two days to decide what to call the opening weekend of the new season, which will see four games played in Sydney and Queensland across March 8-10.

It means there will still be nine games as part of regular round 1 the following weekend on March 14-17, including the Richmond-Carlton blockbuster on Thursday night at the MCG.

Collingwood will play GWS in one of the four “Round Zero” games and then the Pies want to unfurl their premiership flag on the Friday night of round 1, March 15, against a strong Victorian club at the MCG in the second game of its back-to-back premiership campaign.

The plan is to help kick the season off with a bang in Queensland in New South Wales in “Round Zero” to help grow the developing markets.

Clubs have codenamed it “Round Zero” but the league could shift to officially label the northern-states footy festival the “Opening Weekend”.

The “Round Zero” arrangement is an experimental step for the league following feedback from the Queensland and New South Wales clubs.

The four opening weekend games are GWS Giants versus Collingwood, Gold Coast versus Richmond, Brisbane versus Carlton and Sydney Swans versus Melbourne.

Those eight clubs will also be scheduled a second in-season bye, most likely some time after the round 4 Gather Round in South Australia on April 4-7, to ensure parity is restored across the fixture.

The byes for the eight clubs could either be split across several rounds or scheduled for one weekend in the second month of the season.

St Kilda is eyeing a round 2 home game blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday night, March 21 following the success of the Saints’ 150th year clash against Essendon there this year.

The clash against the Magpies at the MCG would be a major drawcard game for the Saints and attract a bumper crowd, helping to fill the coffers for the club off the back of last year’s finals series.

Western Bulldogs were eyeing a blockbuster early-season home game against the Magpies but that opportunity could instead be handed to Ross Lyon’s men.

The Magpies are locked in to take on Brisbane in the grand final rematch on Thursday, March 28 in what is looming as a certain round 3 sellout at the Gabba.

Collingwood pipped Brisbane in this year’s grand final by four points at the MCG to win its 16th premiership cup, joining Essendon and Carlton with the most flags.

Brisbane is expected to travel west to play in Perth for its second game after opening the season against the Blues in a repeat of the preliminary final.

North Melbourne will host Carlton on Good Friday, March 29 at a packed-out Marvel Stadium after the two clubs drew 49,062 to the same clash this year.

The Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon on Thursday, April 25 lines up with round 7.
Geelong’s redeveloped stadium is expected to be ready for the season-opener after almost a year-long delay due to a steel problem.

The 14,000-seat northern grandstand is on track to be ready for the start of the men’s season in mid-March and will boost the GMHBA Stadium capacity to more than 40,000.

The steel issue was a major problem for the club last year, severely limiting the crowd numbers.

But the Cats are preparing to have the full stadium available for fans for the start of the new season as the club attempts to climb back into finals.

 

[Dalions]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_MRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fafl-2024-fixture-four-games-to-open-afl-season-before-round-1%2Fnews-story%2Fe146c777d9d686f88544b408a05af10e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE

The first four games of the 2024 AFL season have been labelled “Round Zero” by clubs as part of the new northern-states extravaganza.

The league will meet over the next two days to decide what to call the opening weekend of the new season, which will see four games played in Sydney and Queensland across March 8-10.

It means there will still be nine games as part of regular round 1 the following weekend on March 14-17, including the Richmond-Carlton blockbuster on Thursday night at the MCG.

Collingwood will play GWS in one of the four “Round Zero” games and then the Pies want to unfurl their premiership flag on the Friday night of round 1, March 15, against a strong Victorian club at the MCG in the second game of its back-to-back premiership campaign.

The plan is to help kick the season off with a bang in Queensland in New South Wales in “Round Zero” to help grow the developing markets.

Clubs have codenamed it “Round Zero” but the league could shift to officially label the northern-states footy festival the “Opening Weekend”.

The “Round Zero” arrangement is an experimental step for the league following feedback from the Queensland and New South Wales clubs.

The four opening weekend games are GWS Giants versus Collingwood, Gold Coast versus Richmond, Brisbane versus Carlton and Sydney Swans versus Melbourne.

Those eight clubs will also be scheduled a second in-season bye, most likely some time after the round 4 Gather Round in South Australia on April 4-7, to ensure parity is restored across the fixture.

The byes for the eight clubs could either be split across several rounds or scheduled for one weekend in the second month of the season.

St Kilda is eyeing a round 2 home game blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday night, March 21 following the success of the Saints’ 150th year clash against Essendon there this year.

The clash against the Magpies at the MCG would be a major drawcard game for the Saints and attract a bumper crowd, helping to fill the coffers for the club off the back of last year’s finals series.

Western Bulldogs were eyeing a blockbuster early-season home game against the Magpies but that opportunity could instead be handed to Ross Lyon’s men.

The Magpies are locked in to take on Brisbane in the grand final rematch on Thursday, March 28 in what is looming as a certain round 3 sellout at the Gabba.

Collingwood pipped Brisbane in this year’s grand final by four points at the MCG to win its 16th premiership cup, joining Essendon and Carlton with the most flags.

Brisbane is expected to travel west to play in Perth for its second game after opening the season against the Blues in a repeat of the preliminary final.

North Melbourne will host Carlton on Good Friday, March 29 at a packed-out Marvel Stadium after the two clubs drew 49,062 to the same clash this year.

The Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon on Thursday, April 25 lines up with round 7.
Geelong’s redeveloped stadium is expected to be ready for the season-opener after almost a year-long delay due to a steel problem.

The 14,000-seat northern grandstand is on track to be ready for the start of the men’s season in mid-March and will boost the GMHBA Stadium capacity to more than 40,000.

The steel issue was a major problem for the club last year, severely limiting the crowd numbers.

But the Cats are preparing to have the full stadium available for fans for the start of the new season as the club attempts to climb back into finals.

So sounds like we will have a maximum of 6 day turnaround after the Perth game again.
West Coast in Round 2 over there so unless that is a Thursday game?? Unlikely. and then Thursday night against Collingwood next round.

 

[mikey127]

So sounds like we will have a maximum of 6 day turnaround after the Perth game again.
West Coast in Round 2 over there so unless that is a Thursday game?? Unlikely. and then Thursday night against Collingwood next round.

Wouldn't suprise me if our 3rd game in round 2 is an away Qclash as Perth then another interstate game then a short break before Easter Thursday would be rough and if we play at home it means 3 home games in the first 4 rounds.

 

[Squizz89]

So sounds like we will have a maximum of 6 day turnaround after the Perth game again.
West Coast in Round 2 over there so unless that is a Thursday game?? Unlikely. and then Thursday night against Collingwood next round.

I thought the same mate but remember the Perth game is effectively “round 1”, so there will be another game between that and the pies which will be round 3.

I think (hope) that makes sense. Perhaps it’ll only one short week between them all, hopefully.

 

[Dalions]

Wouldn't suprise me if our 3rd game in round 2 is an away Qclash as Perth then another interstate game then a short break before Easter Thursday would be rough and if we play at home it means 3 home games in the first 4 rounds.

Ahh! I was reading it as Round 2 so our 3rd game but it is saying our second game so it is effectively Round 1.
Very confusing.

 

[Dalions]

I thought the same mate but remember the Perth game is effectively “round 1”, so there will be another game between that and the pies which will be round 3.

I think (hope) that makes sense.
Basically another game between Perth and pies so perhaps only one short week between them all, hopefully.

Yep I read it wrong

 

[mikey127]

Does sound like us Victorian fans won't see the team for a while.

Round 0 Gabba
Round 1 Perth
Round 2 GC??
Round 3 Gabba
Round 4 gather Round
Round 5 possibly a bye

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Does sound like us Victorian fans won't see the team for a while.

Round 0 Gabba
Round 1 Perth
Round 2 GC??
Round 3 Gabba
Round 4 gather Round
Round 5 possibly a bye

Wonder if we could swap the QClash for Round 6 (then have home match week after) but play at the MCG in Round 3.

That would be a nice way for the club to experience the MCG again early on in the season (and give back to Victorian supporters for their commitment to the club).

 

[mikey127]

Wonder if we could swap the QClash for Round 6 (then have home match week after) but play at the MCG in Round 3.

That would be a nice way for the club to experience the MCG again early on in the season (and give back to Victorian supporters for their commitment to the club).

Round 3 will be Easter Thursday at the Gabba.

If you mean our 3rd game I would not lije Perth followed by a Melbourne game. Too much travel

 

[Cubs2Lions]