Collingwood and Richmond have introduced the concept of twilight after-matches in next year's VFL fixture, as the competition begins to shadow a fully-fledged AFL reserves competition.
Richmond will play four twilight matches at Punt Road Oval, shortly before scheduled night AFL matches at the MCG. The Tigers have recently installed new lighting to cater for the matches.
Largely about developing their players, Collingwood made the VFL finals last season, but Richmond has yet to since becoming a stand-alone team two years ago.
Hawthorn's VFL affiliate, the Box Hill Hawks, will stage a home match against Richmond in round 16 at Punt Road Oval, to align with their AFL clash.
The strategic move, which allows AFL fans to head to VFL games before – and in some cases – after matches, is a further step towards an AFL reserves competition, which has been touted to eventuate in the coming years.
The majority of VFL clubs – particularly stand-alone – are against a proposal for a reserves competition, which would virtually relegate them to a lower league.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/vfl/twilight-matches-for-vfl-games-next-season-20151211-gllqac.html
