In the NRL and in the Barclays Premier League there is a Charity Shield game to kick-off the respective seasons. The NRL Charity Shield always features the Rabbitohs versus the Dragons at Allianz Stadium.
In English football, it is a long standing tradition to have the Charity Shield game played between the Barclays Premier League champions and the winners of the FA Cup at Wembley.
I propose that the AFL try a Charity Shield game as well.
The AFL Charity Shield match would be played between the grand finalists from the previous season, for example Sydney Swans versus Hawthorn next season.
It would also be a standalone NAB Cup game as well, to be played one week prior to the rest of the pre-season competition.
The defending AFL premiers (Sydney) would host the game at their home ground (because having it at the MCG would create difficulties because of cricket commitments).
The AFL should use the Charity Shield game to launch the new AFL year, instead of Round 1 of the premiership season.
And because Channel 7 would be tied up with the Australian Open tennis commitments, Fox Footy should televise the game (with the replay to be shown either on 7TWO or 7Mate).
All gate-takings plus the prize-money won by the club that takes out the Charity Shield would be donated to the charity of their choice, as is the case with the others codes.
Footy would be the big winner.
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