There may only be two rounds remaining in the current season, but already I have a few ideas as to how Round 1 next year should unfold.
As usual, proceedings will kick off with Richmond and Carlton contesting the annual season opener at the MCG, which would be the sixth consecutive time that the two sides have played in the opening match of a new season.
It stands to be the first match back for Tigers talisman Alex Rance, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening match of this season and has all but ruled himself out of returning to the field for the club’s run to September.
For Carlton, it is likely to be their first match under a new full-time coach, whether it’d be current caretaker David Teague, who has restored some competitiveness to the side, or Michael Voss, who is firming in favouritism for the gig.
It is also likely to be their only match on either a Thursday or Friday night in 2020, with the AFL fixturing department again expected to keep them off Broadway as a result of their continued poor on-field performances.
(Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
On Friday night, to indirectly mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of Marvel Stadium, Essendon will host Port Adelaide in what is a repeat of the first-ever premiership match to be played at the ground, which the Bombers won by 94 points.
Expectations will again be high for both the Bombers and Power in 2020, and there is the possibility that both sides may have new coaches should their respective bosses, John Worsfold and Ken Hinkley, be moved on at the end of the current season.
For the trivia buffs, Michael Long was the first player to kick a goal at the ground, moments after Matthew Lloyd missed his chance when he pushed a set shot wide. It was also James Hird’s first match back from a foot injury which sidelined him after Round 2, 1999.
The Bombers’ massive victory on that Thursday evening in March 2000 set the tone for an unprecedented season of dominance in which they would lose only one match all year as they marched to a record-equalling 16th, and to date their most recent, premiership.
Additionally, the same two teams will also meet in a JLT Community Series match at the same venue on 9 March to mark the stadium’s 20th birthday.
Saturday would see Melbourne attempt to begin a season of redemption when they host North Melbourne at the MCG, while there will be a QClash in the twilight at the Gabba, meaning neither the Brisbane Lions nor the Gold Coast Suns will have to travel in the opening round.
This would leave the Suns free to play their milestone 200th AFL match at Metricon Stadium in Round 2, which I have slated to be against Carlton, who were their first-ever opponents in the competition and also their opponents when they played their 100th match in mid-2015.
This, however, means the Blues would start their season with two away matches for the first time since 2012, their first home match not coming until Round 3.
Later in the evening – and assuming he won’t return this season from a hamstring injury – Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin will be slated to finally bring up his long-awaited 300th AFL match when the Sydney Swans play host to Hawthorn in what shapes as a massive SCG blockbuster.
It would see his career go full circle, given he debuted for the Hawks against his current club at the Moore Park venue in 2005.
It will also mark the dawn of a new era for both clubs, with both sides undergoing a refresh of their playing lists as they seek to return to the upper echelons of the ladder in 2020.
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The other Saturday night match would see St Kilda host Fremantle at Marvel Stadium in the latest chapter of one of the AFL’s most bizarre rivalries this decade.
As is the case with Carlton, it will be the first match in charge of the Saints for whoever wins their full-time coaching gig, with current caretaker Brett Ratten firming to be the permanent successor to Alan Richardson, who left the club last month.
With the Giants’ home ground, Giants Stadium, expected to be unavailable due to its required use by the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Leon Cameron’s side will have to travel in the first few rounds of the season, though they will play two home games in Canberra and a Sydney Derby at the SCG in this period.
Their first match will see them make the trip to Melbourne to face Collingwood at Marvel Stadium, where they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Essendon in Round 15 of the current season.
The Pies will be out to make a statement after suffering a shock 47-point loss when the two sides met in Sydney last month, where they conceded eight first-quarter goals.
As Port Adelaide will be the visiting side in Marvel Stadium’s anniversary match mentioned above, this means the Adelaide Crows will open the season at the Adelaide Oval for the second consecutive year.
I’ve given them a blockbuster home game against the Geelong Cats, who are likely to be the reigning premiers should their impressive form hold until the end of September.
If the Cats do indeed mount the premiership dais on 28 September this year, it would be the first time since 2008 that any reigning premier begins their flag defence in the City of Churches, when the Cats themselves defeated Port Adelaide in the opening round.
The final match in Round 1 would see the West Coast Eagles host the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
Another challenge the AFL will face will be how to schedule the first match in Round 18, which is the same weekend as the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.
It has not yet been announced what time the opening ceremony will formally start, though it is likely to be sometime between 7:00pm and 8:00pm Tokyo time – 8:00pm or 9:00pm AEST.
To avoid the risk of a clash, the AFL should schedule the would-be Friday night match for Thursday night instead, still with a bounce-down time of 7:50pm (AEST) or thereabouts, and it would be played outside of Melbourne.
This would leave Friday night free for the Channel Seven to televise the opening ceremony uninterrupted on its main channel around the nation.
Elsewhere, Melbourne, Collingwood and Essendon are expected to retain their hosting rights for the respective marquee matches against Richmond (Anzac Eve), Essendon (Anzac Day) and Richmond (Dreamtime at the G).
And assuming Stephen Coniglio does leave GWS at the end of this season, his first match against them, whenever and wherever it may be, will stand to be a blockbuster.
Anyway, here is what Round 1, 2020, should look like. All times are local.
Thursday, 26 March
Richmond vs Carlton at the MCG, 7:25pm (Seven)
Friday, 27 March
Essendon vs Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 7:50pm (Seven)
Saturday, 28 March
Melbourne vs North Melbourne at the MCG, 1:45pm
Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba, 3:35pm
Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn at the SCG, 7:25pm (Seven)
St Kilda vs Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, 7:25pm
Sunday, 29 March
Collingwood vs GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium, 1:10pm
Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval, 2:50pm (Seven)
West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, 4:10pm
Ayden
Guest
What Round 1 & 2 2022 Should Look Like (Fixed) Thursday 17th March 7:25pm Richmond Vs Carlton MCG (Melbourne) (Seven) Friday 18th March 7:50pm GWS Vs Hawthorn Giants Stadium (Sydney) (Seven) Saturday 19th 1:45pm Gold Coast Vs Adelaide Metricon Stadium (Gold Coast) 4:35pm North Melbourne Vs Collingwood Marvel Stadium (Melbourne) 7:25pm Melbourne Vs Geelong MCG (Melbourne) (Seven) 7:25pm Brisbane Vs Fremantle The Gabba (Brisbane) Sunday 20th March 1:10pm Port Adelaide Vs West Coast Adelaide Oval (Adelaide) 3:20pm Essendon Vs Sydney Marvel Stadium (Melbourne) (Seven) 4:40pm Western Bulldogs Vs St Kilda Mars Stadium (Ballarat) Thursday 24th March 7:40pm GWS Vs Essendon Giants Stadium (Sydney) (Seven) Friday 25th March 7:50pm Sydney Vs Melbourne SCG (Sydney) (Seven) Saturday 26th March 1:45pm St Kilda Vs Brisbane Marvel Stadium (Melbourne) 4:35pm Adelaide Vs Gold Coast Adelaide Oval (Adelaide) 7:25pm Collingwood Vs Western Bulldogs MCG (Melbourne) (Seven) 8:10pm Fremantle Vs Richmond Optus Stadium (Perth) Sunday 27th March 1:10pm Hawthorn Vs North Melbourne MCG (Melbourne) 3:20pm Geelong Vs West Coast GHMBA Stadium (Geelong) (Seven) 4:40pm Carlton Vs Port Adelaide Marvel Stadium (Melbourne)
AYDEN
Guest
When The AFL 2022 Round 1 & 2 Should Look Like Round 1 Thursday 17 March 7:25pm Richmond Vs Carlton MCG (Melbourne) (Seven) Friday 18 March 7:50pm GWS Giants Vs Hawthorn Giants Stadium (Sydney) (Seven) Saturday 19 March 1:45pm St Kilda Vs Melbourne Marvel Stadium (Docklands) 4:35pm Gold Coast Suns Vs Adelaide Crows Metricon Stadium (Gold Coast) 7:25pm Sydney Swans Vs Geelong SCG (Sydney) (Seven) 7:25 North Melbourne Vs Collingwood Bludstone Arena (Hobart) Sunday 20 March 1:10 Port Adelaide Vs Fremantle Adelaide Oval (Adelaide) 3:20 Essendon Vs Western Bulldogs Marvel Stadium (Docklands) (Seven) 4:40 West Coast Eagles Vs Brisbane Lions Optus Stadium (Perth) Round 2 Thursday 24 March 7:40pm GWS Giants Vs Essendon Giants Stadium (Sydney) (Seven) Friday 25 March 7:55pm Collingwood Vs Gold Coast Suns MCG (Melbourne) (Seven) Saturday 26 March 1:45pm Brisbane Lions Vs Sydney Swans The Gabba (Brisbane) 4:35pm Fremantle Vs North Melbourne Optus Stadium (Perth) 7:25pm Adelaide Crows Vs St Kilda Adelaide Oval (Adelaide) 7:25pm Hawthorn Vs Carlton MCG (Melbourne) (Seven) Sunday 27 March 1:10pm Melbourne Vs West Coast Eagles MCG (Melbourne) 3:20pm Geelong Vs Richmond GHMBA Stadium (Geelong) (Seven) 4:40pm Western Bulldogs Vs Port Adelaide Marvel Stadium (Docklands)
Phil Smythe
Guest
Eagles will start the season at home and Freo away as per the arrangement whereby those teams alternate each year.
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Bulldogs and cats where Rivalries Because Cats Don't where clash but in 2020 cats clash jumper clubs was gws Gold Coast Adelaide and bulldogs. Bulldogs will now go to GHMBA Stadium
Brock devine
Guest
Tassie should be able to have a afl team. It is very unfair we dont. It is a very good opptunirty for tassie to show what we are good at.
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
What Round 1 2020 should be look like on Thursday 19th Blues Will Host Tigers At MCG Carlton Need To be win on Friday Night Essendon Host Port Adelaide At Marvel Stadium On Saturday Swans Will Face Hawks At SCG Swans Need to win On Saturday Big Clash Bulldogs Host Crows at Adelaide Oval Bulldogs Have to Won like Round 23 2019 At Twilight Dockers Host Saints At Optus Stadium Fremantle Need to win On Saturday Night Giants to Face Cats At Giants Stadium Gws Need to win. on 8:10PM Lions Will Angaist Eagles At Gabba On Sunday Kangaroos Will Host Magpies At Marvel Stadium Last Round 1 Match On Sunday Afternoon Suns To Face Demons At Metricon Stadium
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
In Round 3 5 & 21 Giants Will Going Too Canberra Too Angaist Melbourne Adelaide And Richmond Not VS Suns And Port Adelaide
Dom RBLX
Guest
My Sydney Swans Points win and lost Round 1: Lost by 26 Round 2: Win by 45 Round 3: Win by 8 Round 4: Win by 33 Round 5: Win by 48 Round 6: Win by 21 Round 7: Win by 22 Round 8: Win by 3 Round 9: Win by 33 Round 10: Win by 18 Round 11: Lost by 13 Round 12: Lost by 28 Round 13: Win by 24 Round 14 Win by 12 Round 15: Bye Round 16: Win by 3 Round 17: Win by 1 Round 18: Lost by 26 Round 19: Win by 35 Round 20: Win by 43 Round 21: Win by 9 Round 22: Win by 64 Round 23: Win by 27
Dom RBLX
Guest
My Sydney Swans AFL Fixture 2020 Round 1 First Match - Friday Port Adelaide vs Sydney Swans 7:20PM Adelaide Oval Round 2 - Saturday Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions 2:10PM SCG Round 3 Easter Day - Friday North Melbourne vs Sydney Swans 4:20PM Marvel Stadium Round 4 - Saturday Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs 7:25PM SCG Round 5 Anzac Day - Thursday Hawthorn vs Sydney 7:20PM MCG Round 6 - Sunday Sydney Swans vs Gws Giants 4:40PM SCG Round 7 - Sunday Gold Coast Suns vs Sydney Swans 1:10PM Metricon Stadium Round 8 - Saturday Sydney Swans vs Fremantle 4:35PM SCG Round 9 - Saturday Sydney Swans vs Carlton 7:25PM SCG Round 10 indigenous round - Friday Sydney Swans vs Melbourne 7:50PM SCG Round 11 - Saturday Richmond vs Sydney Swans 1:45PM MCG Round 12 Queen Birthday - Sunday Sydney Swans vs Adelaide Crows 4:40PM SCG Round 13 - Sunday Western Bulldogs vs Sydney Swans 3:20PM Marvel Stadium Round 14 - Sunday Sydney Swans vs Essendon 4:40PM SCG Round 15 Bye Round 16 - Thursday West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans 6:10PM Optus Stadium Round 17 - Thursday Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats 7:20PM SCG Round 18 - Friday Collingwood vs Sydney Swans 7:50PM MCG Round 19 - Saturday Gws Giants vs Sydney Swans 1:45PM Giants Stadium Round 20 - Sunday Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn 3:20PM SCG Round 21 - Saturday Adelaide Crows vs Sydney Swans 7:10PM Adelaide Oval Round 22 - Saturday Sydney Swans vs St Kilda 7:25PM SCG Round 23 - Saturday Melbourne vs Sydney Swans 7:25PM MCG
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Samuel You Wrong :angry: you had 2 Sydney Swans in Round 1 Get Rid of it Now :angry:
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Eagels vs Bulldogs will be at Round 2 on Optus Stadium At 3:20PM Tim kelly Will debut in round 2 Against The Western Bulldogs
Samuel
Guest
Not Geelong v Sydney, Geelong v Melbourne*
Samuel
Guest
Round 1 (starting times are local) Thursday 26 March [MCG - Seven] Richmond v Carlton (7:25 pm) Friday 27 March [Marvel Stadium - Seven] Essendon v Brisbane Lions (7:50 pm) Saturday 28 March [MCG - Fox] Hawthorn v Adelaide Crows (1:45 pm) Saturday 28 March [GIANTS Stadium - Fox] GWS Giants v Sydney Swans (4:35 pm) Saturday 28 March [Metricon Stadium - Fox] Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda (6:25 pm) Saturday 28 March [Adelaide Oval - Seven] Port Adelaide v Collingwood (7:10 pm) Sunday 29 March [Marvel Stadium - Fox] North Melbourne v Fremantle (1:10 pm) Sunday 29 March [GMHBA Stadium - Seven] Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans (3:20 pm) Sunday 29 March [Optus Stadium - Fox] West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs (3:20 pm)
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Eddie Bets Finsh 2019 Season. Eddie Bets Will Pick Blues, Suns or Giants
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Swans Will play 1 Giants Stadium Games Because Giants Will be in Canberra in Round 5 Will Angaist the Crows On Friday night Buddy Franklin Will Finished 2020 Season If They in finals. Buddy Franklin Will Pick Hawks on October 2020
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Theres Magpies Home Match Round 2 Saturday 28 Magpies VS Freo MCG 2:10PM Round 4 Thursday 9 April Magpies VS Eagles Marvel Stadium 7:35PM Round 6 Thursday 23 April Magpies VS Bombers MCG 3:20PM Anzac Day Match Round 8 Saturday 2 May Magpies VS Saints Marvel Stadium 4:35PM Round 10 Sunday 17 May Magpies VS Bulldogs MCG 1:10PM Round 11 Sunday 24 May Magpies VS Cats Mars Stadium 4:40PM Indgeniuos Round Round 12 BYE Round 14 Friday 13 June Magpies VS Giants MCG 7:50PM Preliminary Final Rematch Round 16 Saturday 27 June Magpies VS Swans Marvel Stadium 7:25PM Round 18 Sunday 12 July Magpies VS Kangaroos MCG 3:20PM Round 20 Saturday 25 July Magpies VS Lions Mars Stadium 4:35PM Round 22 Saturday 15 August Magpies VS Suns MCG 7:35PM
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Well Theres Tigers Home Match Round 1 Thursday 20 March Tigers VS Blues MCG 7:40PM Round 2 Sunday 29 March Tigers VS Power MCG 1:10PM Round 4 Friday 10 April Tigers VS Bulldogs Marvel Stadium 7:50PM Round 6 Wednesday 22 April Tigers VS Hawks MCG 8:10PM Anzac Day EVE Round 8 Friday 8 May Tigers VS Giants Marvel Stadium 7:50PM Grand Final Rematch Round 10 Friday 22 May Tigers VS Swans MCG 7:55PM Round 11 Friday 29 May Tigers VS Essendon MCG 8:10PM Dream Time At The G Round 12 BYE Round 16 Friday 3 July Tigers VS Magpies MCG 7:35PM Victora Derby Round 18 Sunday 19 July Tigers VS Dees MCG 1:10PM Round 20 Saturday 1 August Tigers VS Saints Mars Stadium 2:10PM Round 22 Saturday 15 Tigers VS Kangaroos MCG 1:45
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
Round 1 Thursday 20 March Tigers VS Blues (Seven) MCG 7:40PM Friday 21 March Bombers VS Power (Seven) Marvel Stadium 7:50PM Saturday 22 March Swans VS Hawks (FOX) SCG 1:45PM Crows VS Bulldogs (FOX) Adelaide Oval 2:10PM Freo VS Saints (FOX) Optus Stadium 4:35PM Giants VS Cats (Seven) Giants Stadium 7:25PM Lions VS Eagles (FOX) Gabba 8:10PM Sunday 23 March Kangaroos VS Collingwood (FOX) Suns VS Dees (Seven) Metricon Stadium 3:20PM Thats When i Want
Ayden The Giants Fan
Guest
GWS Will play 9 Giants Stadium Games. Dylan Sheil Will play back to GWS. Let me show you Giants Home Fixture. Not pies vs giants. Round 1 Saturday 22 March Giants VS Cats Giants Stadium 7:25PM Round 3 Sunday 5 April Giants VS Dees Manuka Oval 3:20PM Round 5 Friday 17 April Giants VS Crows Manuka Oval 7:50PM Round 7 Saturday 2 May Giants Vs Eagles Giants Stadium 7:20PM Round 9 Saturday 16 May Giants VS Suns Giants Stadium 7:25PM Round 11 Saturday 30 May Giants VS Freo Giants Stadium 7:25PM Round 13 Saturday 13 June Giants VS Roos Giants Stadium 8:10PM Round 15 Sunday 28 June Giants VS Hawks Giants Stadium 3:20PM Round 17 Saturday 11 July Giants VS Power Giants Stadium 7:25PM Round 19 Saturday 25 July Giants VS Lions Giants Stadium 7:25PM Round 21 Friday 7 August Giants VS Tigers Manuka Oval 7:50PM Round 23 Sunday 23 Giants VS Swans Giants Stadium 3:20PM
calman12
Roar Rookie
round 1 2020 thursday 7.25 Richmond vs Carlton-MCG channel 7 friday 7.50 Essendon vs Port adelaide-Marvel Stadium channel 7 saturday 1.45 Melbourne vs Fremantle-MCG 504 3.35 Brisbane vs GWS-Gabba local time 504 7.25 St Kilda vs North melbourne-Marvel stadium channel 7 7.10 Adelaide vs Gold coast-Adelaide oval 504 local time sunday 1.10 Sydney vs Geelong-SCG 504 3.20 Hawthorn vs Collingwood channel 7 3.20 West coast vs Western bulldogs-optus stadium local time