24 rounds. Byes. An October grand final. There was plenty unusual about the 2011 AFL fixture released yesterday, although that’s not to say the usual criticisms haven’t since come out. On the whole, while there is plenty to complain about, there are a few things the AFL should be commended on. Like always, it’s a mixed bag.
Leaving aside the annual debate over the fairness or otherwise of Collingwood’s draw, let’s take a look at which aspects of the fixture the league have gotten right and which aspects they’ve gotten wrong.
Highlight: Last year’s top three all playing each other twice. After the ordinary turnout to the sole home and away season St Kilda-Geelong clash this year, the AFL have wisely opted to make proper use of the rivalries built up during the previous season. Next year we’re getting Collingwood-Geelong twice, St Kilda-Geelong twice and, of course, Collingwood-St Kilda twice.
Lowlight: Collingwood-St Kilda in Round 11. One of the main reasons behind the ordinary turnout mentioned above was the long wait until mid-season for the grand final re-match to be played. This year, too, it could’ve been earlier. So could, for that matter, Collingwood’s first MCG home game – and likely unfurling of their premiership flag – which will be in Round 3. Ugh.
Highlight: Gold Coast opening their new stadium against Geelong. AFL footy will arrive on the Coast with one of the season’s more anticipated match-ups – Gary Ablett coming up against his old side. It was the perfect choice, even if we do have to wait until Round 10.
Lowlight: Gold Coast hosting Brisbane in … Brisbane? It seems very odd that both Queensland derbies will be played on the Lions’ home turf. It’s hard to think why the first clash couldn’t be a Lions home game at the Gabba and the second a Suns home game at Carrara. Unless of course all future clashes are to be shifted to the Gabba, which seems equally hard to comprehend.
Highlight: 14 games across 11 days. Although the AFL labelling this a “Footy Fiesta” is a bit of a lowlight, with Easter weekend and Anzac Day clashing a monster two rounds have been created with just one day off separating them. Bring on rounds 5 and 6!
Lowlight: The bizarre gap between Carlton and North Melbourne. Only percentage separated Carlton and North Melbourne this year, and both clubs are capable of improvement. So, it’s odd that the Blues will feature on Friday nights at least six times – more than any other club bar St Kilda – as well as again opening the season against Richmond on a Thursday night, while the Roos make just one primetime appearance. The Blues have also again been given the Monday night football slot along with the Saints.
Highlight: Every club to play at least one game at the MCG. Having Fremantle play its first game at the ‘G for 2010 in a knockout final was hardly an ideal situation. Nice to see the league ensure that won’t happen again in 2011.
Lowlight: One Saturday arvo game at the ‘G in the first 13 rounds. It’s hard to fathom how the best time and place to watch a game of footy has been so ignored. The situation was bad enough in 2010, but it will be even worse next year.
Highlight: A home and away season match in Cairns. It’s great that Richmond and Gold Coast will be taking the game to north Queensland in Round 17. It will be the first ever regular season match in the region. That said, it is odd that a club the size of the Tigers will have two “home games” interstate (the other against Port Adelaide in Darwin).
Lowlight: Only seven games at Skilled Stadium. Geelong, who normally push for nine home games at Skilled, were told last year that being allocated seven games at the ground was merely a one-off, a quirk of the 2010 fixture not to be repeated. Fast forward 12 months, and it has been repeated. It’s an outrage, especially with all the effort (and money) the club have put into upgrading their stadium in recent years.
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