Agree they are not getting it in 2018, but I see that as evidence supporting my point.
Channel 7 and Fox would surely have had significant input into the scheduling of games this season. So how else do we explain the high number of poor match-ups on Friday night? They must have supported the fixture, including Carlton getting so many Friday night games.
I think they were trying to spread the load for viewer numbers.
You may find that Foxtel had the greater say in what games it got exclusively this season as opposed to what Ch7 did. Example 7 wanted the recent Pies -v- Tigers game for a firday night but Fox wanted it as one of their exclusive games for 2018. Think we know who won that bout
Overall Fox contribute more than 7, so in some cases they have a grester say
Even goofy Gil has admitted that the league pushed a number of games in the Friday night slot that they shouldnt have. Wont be doing it next year.