The start of next year’s season presents a unique opportunity for the AFL.
Round one is traditionally played after rugby league, but with the NRL galavanting on an overseas trip to Las Vegas in early March, perhaps this is the perfect chance for Aussie Rules to capitalize on the NRL’s absence in their own backyard with a full-on promotional blitz.
Collingwood and Melbourne are reportedly planning to kick off the 2024 season with an interstate extravaganza. They hope to attract the Harbour City to the game, which to some is crassly known as aerial, or human, ping pong.
The AFL website notes a draft version of the draw has been sent to clubs with a proposal for Collingwood to take on the GWS Giants, and Melbourne to take on Sydney Swans in a stand-alone blockbuster weekend – before the rest of the season commences a week later.
There are also reports that a third marquee match between Richmond and Gold Coast is being considered, in a bid to make the most out of the storyline of Suns coach Damien Hardwick facing his old team.
I think that this is a smart proposal by the premiers. Collingwood has a membership base of over 100,000 people from all walks of life, which presents a perfect opportunity to capture the Northern States market. The proposed matches would generate tourism dollars for the New South Wales and Queensland governments.
It would also make the start of round one more interesting, as it has been criticized in previous years.
Season 2024 offers intriguing storylines, such as Brodie Grundy’s debut for the Swans, Damien Hardwick facing his former team, which he had labelled as “putrid” after his final game in charge, and a fit and firing GWS looking for revenge against the Pies. Not to mention Melbourne, who will also be looking to silence the critics after what already looks like an off-season from hell, and the Pies, hoping for a perfect start to their premiership defence.
This would be a broadcaster’s dream for both Channel Seven, Fox Sports, and all radio networks.
Bobby Hill and Jack Ginnivan celebrate a Collingwood goal. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Even though I am a Richmond supporter, I think it is time to mix things up, as the match-up between Carlton and Richmond has become stale. The contest is often either a blowout or, as we saw last year, a forgettable draw.
In 2022, we had the grand final rematch between the Dees and Dogs, which attracted 58,002 people on a Wednesday night. In 2014, it was Collingwood who kicked off the season against Fremantle.
This match between the Tigers and Blues should be scheduled for the following Friday night to kick off round two, with the possibility of playing one another again later in the season.
Imagine if Richmond played Carlton twice this year, especially when the Blues were marching towards September and the Tigers pushing for the finals. It would have been the hottest ticket in town.
The AFL might also consider another blockbuster to kick off season 2024 with Geelong and Collingwood, which attracted 86,595 fans to the contest at the MCG for the first Friday night game of the year.
All in all, the AFL and its clubs have an opportunity to create a point of difference for fans with a different match-up to get the footy juices flowing in season 2024 – all while the NRL is off pursuing other adventures.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
GWS started with a ground built for them, further west at Doonside . Since there was very little interest from many going to watch them there . They’ve decided that they’re less W & more S . Moving further east to Homebush.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It took you 23hours and 56 minutes to think of that response? That has all the qualities of that playground, " No, you are!!" taunt.
Randy
Roar Rookie
and AFL is just lanky guys punching and fumbling a ball along the ground....
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
And yet they do.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
He just loves getting a reaction from you Victorians, you take yourselves so bloody seriously at times.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Russia vs Lebanon is always my favourite matchup.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
We feel sorry for PVL, actually. Admire him for trying to promote his sport but it’s embarrassing when tries to take cheap shots at AFL.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Both games are just fat guys falling over, getting up and running 2 metres and falling over again. Glad to upset you.
high horse
Roar Rookie
call it by its proper name, you are talking about rugby union. see you at the afl world cup?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There is never any need for the AFL to take any consideration of rugby into their fixturing decisions. Rugby has no impact on AFL.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
No one said it was gonna be a sellout, but it’ll draw a good crowd, and it’s Vegas baby.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
The NRL won’t be absent, only four teams are going to Vegas.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Collingwood v Melbourne in Sydney. Stop it. Richmond v Gold Coast, a marquee match up. My sides are hurting !!! PVL really has pissed you guys off, hadn’t he ? You know that only four NRL clubs are going to Vegas, and only two of those are from Sydney. There will still be at least three NRL games in Sydney that weekend. If you included the Swans in one of those games, fine you might get a big crowd at the SCG, but Melbourne, Richmond, Gold Coast, are you kidding ? I say, go your hardest buddy.
Shane
Roar Rookie
More hilarious to think people will turn up to a NRL game in Las Vegas. I am sure it will be a "sell out" in the same way the AFL game in China was a sell out with 20% of seats occupied. Lots of free tickets thrown into the air an hour before the game.
JoshW
Roar Rookie
Hilarious to think sports fans in Sydney will turn up to this.
Vicboy
Roar Rookie
They play rugba league in Qld too. If fair dinkum about stealing the cheese while the cats away: GWS v Pies, Thursday night Sydney v Melbourne, Friday night North v Dogs, Saturday 1pm at the G Hawthorn v WC 3pm Launceston Brisbane v Carlton, Saturday twilight Freo v Essendon, Saturday night eastern seaboard GC v Tiges, 12 Sunday Saints v Adelaide, 3 Sunday Port v Geelong, 6 Sunday Put the big guns into enemy territory, and allow all Vic supporters to get along and see North, Dogs and Saints. WA, Tassie (never understood why games are scheduled d in the depths of winter) and SA get games after a long break Otherwise you are throwing out the baby with the bath water.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Compromises are fine, just as long as there's give n take ....
Shane
Roar Rookie
Brisbane v Collingwood and Sydney v Carlton and GWS v Melbourne and GC v Richmond
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
We have been putting up with promotion of NRL by Sydney PM’s for several years (tho Albanese could hardly have taken Goyder to Biden’s dinner) & it’s about time the AFL returned the favour!
Roger of Sydney
Roar Rookie
NH If they AFl dont change things they would have nothing to do and would need real jobs. Used all the time in corporate, must show change to justify existence