The AFL has confirmed the fixture for 2023’s inaugural ‘Gather Round’, which features all games played in South Australia for the first time.
Round 5 of next season has been designated for the event, which copies the successful NRL ‘Magic Round’ concept that sees all games played in Queensland. It will begin with Adelaide hosting Carlton on Thursday night.
With the Adelaide Oval the only current AFL venue in South Australia, two double-headers have been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday – in the first, Essendon will face Melbourne on Saturday afternoon leading into Port Adelaide hosting the Western Bulldogs that evening, while Geelong play West Coast on Sunday afternoon before Collingwood battle St Kilda in the final match of the round.
In order to accommodate nine games, three have been scheduled for suburban grounds; Fremantle face Gold Coast on Friday in a rare weekday twilight game at Norwood Oval, where GWS and Hawthorn will also play on Sunday afternoon.
Mount Barker’s Summit Sports and Recreation Park, nearly 40 kilometres south-east of the Adelaide CBD, will play host to Brisbane and North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. The venue has seating for only 270 spectators but a surrounding grass hill lifts its expected capacity to roughly 5000.
Adelaide Oval. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
In a statement, AFL head of broadcast and fixturing Travis Auld described ‘Gather Round’ as a chance for South Australians to show their passion for the game.
“South Australians love their footy, and with no SANFL or metropolitan community matches that weekend, we are hoping they also come and experience what will be a great four days of celebration, fun and a true festival of footy,” Auld said.
Crows captain Rory Sloane also urged the state to ‘put on a show’ and for people to attend as many matches as they can, while also visiting the regions outside the city proper.
“I love this place, I love this city, and what South Australia has to offer. I hope everyone coming over has a chance to see how beautiful this state is,” he said.
“I think that will be the best thing about it – for Adelaide to put itself on show because it has a lot to offer.
“Not just with sport … I hope people get out in the city and the surrounding areas like the Barossa, the Hills, the Fleurieu Peninsula. Just spend a bit of time and explore South Australia because it is a beautiful state.”
FULL ‘GATHER ROUND’ FIXTURE (all times AEST)
Thursday, April 13
Adelaide vs Carlton, Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm
Friday, April 14
Fremantle vs Gold Coast Suns, Norwood Oval, 5:10pm
Richmond vs Sydney Swans, Adelaide Oval, 8:10pm
Saturday, April 15
Brisbane Lions vs North Melbourne, Summit Sports and Recreation Park, 1:10pm
Essendon vs Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 4:10pm
Port Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 7:50pm
Sunday, April 16
Geelong vs West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 1:10pm
GWS Giants vs Hawthorn, Norwood Oval, 3:20pm
Collingwood vs St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 4:50pm
>> Head here for the full AFL fixture as it stands
Redb
Roar Guru
I expect we will start the season well. Usually the case with a new coach.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Tried purchase a ticket to Lions Kangaroos game.... SOLD OUT..... Lions had to be playing at the only ground that has least amount of tickets available
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nah. That would be a draw.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You wanna make a bet?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
A bit like Geof Boycott batting out the innings. :laughing:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It would be even better if Dockers games went for 5 days.
XI
Roar Guru
I don't know. I think it's about a 50:50 chance that last year was a flash in the pan and they're about 3 or 4 years from competing
RT
Roar Rookie
It would be perfect if Tests went for 5 days
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Took a lead from Cricket Australia, starting a test on a working Wednesday.
Macca RB
Guest
Better Kumbuya, than that ghastly Up There Kazaly, again & again & again
true blue
Guest
Unfortunately I think your prediction is correct.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Gotta say I lurk on a couple Carlton groups on Facebook and honestly they’ve been punished enough for the cap scandal 20 years ago they deserve a modicum of success next year. However not flag 17 I expect Collingwood will get flag 16 before either Essendon or Carlton can make it to 17
WCE
Roar Rookie
Will the Vic teams be ok travelling this short distance apposed to getting out of bed and catching a bus around the corner to there usual location
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
wow, Essendon playing at AO is a highlight. Great team, 16 flags. Every year is a new year, so look out Melbourne.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The ‘Gathering Round’, hey. Sounds like something from Highlander or Blood Sports. If it’s half as cheesy, then we’re in for a real treat.
true blue
Guest
Playing Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval worries me. We should be playing against an a non South Australian team.
RT
Roar Rookie
He'd probably already decided that based on fans not getting to 5.40 pm matches on time.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
It so Gil can say look at viewer numbers. No more Fridays for Freo.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
Ah, it's 4:40 central time. Well, don't I look like a dingus now!
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
Have we all forgotten our timezones? It will be 3:40 when it starts in Perth. Adelaide is 90 minutes ahead, not 2 hours. 3:40 is still ridiculous, but lets at least get facts right first.