Fixturing solution for the start of 2025

[MrAnonymous]

Here's an idea. Scrap the Opening Round branding and have Round 1 played over two weekends in 2025. The first weekend is games exclusively held in New South Wales and Queensland whilst the NRL presumably take their game back to Vegas, and the second weekend is games exclusively in Victoria which would coincide with the long weekend.

Win win for everyone. Grow the game in NSW on the actual weekend the NRL is out of town (not the weekend after, like this year), and then give something to Victorian fans over the Labor Day weekend. Festival of footy in both NSW/QLD & VIC, with interstate fans encouraged to fly to the respective cities and attend as many matches as they wish.

The fixture would look something like this. I've tried to fixture some competitive games.

Thoughts?

Thursday 27th February
Sydney v St Kilda @ SCG 7.30pm

Friday 28th February
Brisbane v Essendon @ GABBA 7.40pm

Saturday 01st March
Gold Coast v Hawthorn @ People’s First Stadium 4.20pm
GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs @ Engie Stadium 7.30pm

Friday 07th March
Carlton v Fremantle @ MCG 7.40pm

Saturday 08th March
Richmond v Adelaide @ MCG 4.20pm
North Melbourne v West Coast @ Marvel Stadium 7.30pm

Sunday 09th March
Melbourne v Port Adelaide @ MCG 7.20pm

Monday 10th March
Collingwood v Geelong @ MCG 3.20pm

 

[stallon]

Why do the Vics need anything? Do they not get a gather round nearly every week?
How is that a win-win for everyone? Sounds like a win for Victorians only
For the record im 100% against anything resembling a gather round in Victoria, itd be completely pointless.

Your suggestion would mess with the fixturing in WA and SA, one team from each of those states is going to have to play 2 away games in a row to start the year.
If they were to do a split round like you suggest, at least one team from WA and SA need to play in the first week.

 

[Taper]

Why are people so obsessed with growing the game in NSW and QLD?
Both states already get leg ups in the form of academies, they don't need leg ups from the fixture as well.

 

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

Here’s a novel idea, let’s just start the year with a normal round.

Split rounds suck, especially week 1 after waiting 6 months then we get stuff all games to kick off the year.

We don’t need gimmicks and marketing ploys taking priority over footy.

 

[CarterS]

Why are people so obsessed with growing the game in NSW and QLD?
Both states already get leg ups in the form of academies, they don't need leg ups from the fixture as well.

It's not a free extra home game or anything, how is it a leg up?

Here's an idea. Scrap the Opening Round branding and have Round 1 played over two weekends in 2025. The first weekend is games exclusively held in New South Wales and Queensland whilst the NRL presumably take their game back to Vegas, and the second weekend is games exclusively in Victoria which would coincide with the long weekend.

Win win for everyone. Grow the game in NSW on the actual weekend the NRL is out of town (not the weekend after, like this year), and then give something to Victorian fans over the Labor Day weekend. Festival of footy in both NSW/QLD & VIC, with interstate fans encouraged to fly to the respective cities and attend as many matches as they wish.

The fixture would look something like this. I've tried to fixture some competitive games.

Thoughts?

Thursday 27th February
Sydney v St Kilda @ SCG 7.30pm

Friday 28th February
Brisbane v Essendon @ GABBA 7.40pm

Saturday 01st March
Gold Coast v Hawthorn @ People’s First Stadium 4.20pm
GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs @ Engie Stadium 7.30pm

Friday 07th March
Carlton v Fremantle @ MCG 7.40pm

Saturday 08th March
Richmond v Adelaide @ MCG 4.20pm
North Melbourne v West Coast @ Marvel Stadium 7.30pm

Sunday 09th March
Melbourne v Port Adelaide @ MCG 7.20pm

Monday 10th March
Collingwood v Geelong @ MCG 3.20pm

I don't think Sydney v St Kilda would be a particularly high drawing game nor would GC v Hawthorn but as an idea it's better than what happened- fixes the weird staggered byes and it really should be happening while the NRL are in Vegas.

All 4 of the games this year sold out in OR this year so it was definitely a success from that perspective.