It’s hard to believe the AFL could stuff up the schedule for the first week finals so badly. Except, it’s the AFL, so of course they did.
The biggest losers are Collingwood, young families, and the people of Geelong.
First, let’s re-cap what is happening.
Thursday 6th September sees Richmond host Hawthorn at the MCG, in the biggest match of the round. It is almost unfathomable that they have never met in a finals match after almost a hundred years in the competition together.
On Friday 7th September, Melbourne and Geelong will clash, also at the MCG, in a game that has popcorn written all over it given both games between the two this year were decided with the last kick of the day.
The double-header on Saturday 8th September gives us Sydney versus GWS at the SCG in a twilight fixture, and Collingwood in Perth to take on West Coast at night.
Bear in mind, the loser of Richmond versus Hawthorn plays the winner of Melbourne versus Geelong. The loser of West Coast versus Collingwood plays the winner of Sydney versus GWS.
The Magpies are the only club travelling outside their home state in week one of the finals, finished higher on the ladder than 15 other teams, yet are playing last. If they lose, they’ll be off the back of significant travel, playing a lower ranked team that has had a greater rest.
It’s unconscionable.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The AFL’s want for a prime-time weeknight final is understandable. For footy fans it brings the finals forward a day after an interminable break thanks to the enforced bye.
West Coast versus Collingwood should have been scheduled as the Thursday night game. In regards to ground capacity, this is one that would sell out if it was played at 3am on a Tuesday, so there will be no difference holding this on Thursday as opposed to Saturday from that perspective.
Given the time difference between Perth and Melbourne, this game would be at a more family friendly time for attendance too.
Scheduling the Eagles and Pies on Thursday would also give the losing team a two-day break over their upcoming rival, an advantage they have earned for finishing in the top four. This would have been invaluable for the Pies, if in fact they were the losing side.
Even if West Coast are the loser, they would surely also welcome a longer break after what is sure to be a torrid encounter. The AFL has made a mockery of the importance of finishing top four.
Richmond versus Hawthorn would easily have fitted in on Friday at the MCG, the pinnacle game of the week in the most popular timeslot, followed by Melbourne versus Geelong on Saturday afternoon at the same venue.
The people of Geelong have been shafted by their team being forced to play on Friday night when it could so easily have been on Saturday afternoon. It’s a long train ride or drive up and back for any night game in Melbourne, let alone on a Friday in the rush after work and school.
Then, it’s a matter of getting home again afterwards, when the game has finished at almost 10.30pm, getting home after midnight.
Ultimately, these are first world problems. But there was a simple way for the AFL to schedule a week of finals that was more rewarding for the teams that finished higher, and to make things easier for the one group of regional supporters that it was known would be travelling en masse for their game.
Does the AFL want to be about the fans, or does it just say it wants to be about the fans, and hopes that no-one notices it’s not?
You can’t please all of the people all of the time, but in this instance, they could have gotten a lot closer than they did.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They could have done a Gil and posted the intention to re-format first. They could have avoided the bother.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Including being able to sign in and comment. I haven't been able to post for 5 days. Did you miss me? We no longer get notifications of posts. I can't see any improvement. The home page is much less user friendly.
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
Spot on Peter. The problem is that we're all so passionate and that rusted on to our teams that we wouldn't boycott the games which would really make a point to the AFL.
Brent Roberts
Guest
No no we can't get to the match on a Thursday. Do your homework on the public transport will not work on a working day .we are 2 hours south of Perth
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Still no ability to edit a post and no bolding, italics that I can see? Not seeing the flow of recent posts is a real regression I feel.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Atawhai,my dear chap, the reason why you haven't been sent a reminder about this weekends' games is because there are no weekend games.They begin next Thursday the 6th September And fair enough tips.too
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
I haven't been sent a reminder email about doing this weekend's AFL tips using the new, temporary measure. Can't find anything on the site. So, I'm tipping Richmond, Melbourne, Sydney and West Coast. It's now 6.49pm on Thursday.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Really good post Spruce. You can't please everyone with this sort of stuff, there is always someone who can't make it for one reason or another regardless of day and time chosen. As for having the marquee game on a Thursday night, sounds like an inspired choice for those wanting to watch on TV!
Sam
Roar Rookie
But the self-proclaimed "sporting capital of the world" can't fill a stadium for a final between two Melbourne teams because it's on a Thursday? Please...
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I ask again show me where the club has complained if so. I haven't heard Bucks complain. Has Eddie? (He may well have I just haven't heard him as don't listen to MMM)
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Cameron follows the Tigers.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Ray, has the club been complaining? Has Eddie or Bucks or the players been complaining? I'm genuinely asking here as I don't know if they have or not. I follow Bucks pressers though and haven't heard him whingeing about it, correct me if I'm wrong.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Will do ...thanks Cat.
Jungle Jim
Guest
Wow...Pies finally have to do something halfway difficult like most interstate clubs have to do most of the time. Given they've had another soft draw and hardly played out of Vic, it would be nice if they sucked it up and got on with it like everyone else has to do!
Nick
Roar Rookie
I am on Chrome on android, no green on mine. Don't like the new format either.
Craig Oswald
Guest
Stop. If you dont like your draw..withdraw and let someone else play in your spot. WA teams travel at least 10 times more than the Pies so get over it. IT is the AFL now NOT the VFL.
reuster75
Roar Rookie
Home preliminary final I meant to say.
reuster75
Roar Rookie
That was 2004, Geelong 'hosted' the preliminary final at the MCG because of contractual arrangements and Brisbane went on to lose the GF. Brisbane did win GF in 2003 despite not having a home final but that was due to them losing in week one and their preliminary final was played on the same day as Collingwood's so both teams had a 7 day break.
Cat
Roar Guru
Stop painting everyone with the same brush. Have a scroll through the comments and you'll see plenty of Vic backing how off the mark Cam is in this article. This is Cam's take, no one else.
WCE
Roar Rookie
its blatantly obvious the Victorian club supporters always want everything there own way and don't give a flying stuff about other clubs , so now I laugh MAO when I hear you sobbing and whinging about a Thursday night game , that's hilarious !! one little hiccup in your yearly sooky schedule and the tears flow like a rain storm , Its time to look outside your own little VFL hub and see the crap other states have to put up with all year round , every year . Grow up !