2021 fixture

[one-eyed]

'Footy frenzy' on the cards, 2021 fixture may be delayed until February

By Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan
The Age
20 November 19, 2020

The AFL fixture for next year is unlikely to be released until February, just weeks before play is to begin, and is further expected to only be revealed in monthly instalments as it was this year.

Club presidents and chief executives met with the AFL on Thursday for a wide-ranging briefing with the AFL telling them they were looking at a range of options, including not releasing the fixture until at least February and, when they do, only release four rounds at a time.

It is likely at that time they would also reveal which teams a club would play twice in the season, but little more detail beyond that.

The league said they remain attracted to the idea of squeezing in another 'footy frenzy', with games every day for 20 days, as happened this year as the league crammed matches into its reconfigured fixture because of the pandemic.

That proved popular with broadcasters and fans but it was also a unique situation with lockdown in Victoria leading to more people watching TV than might be the case in an ordinary year.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/footy-frenzy-on-the-cards-2021-fixture-may-be-delayed-until-february-20201119-p56g58.html

[WilliamPowell]

Can anyone explain to me how the AFL can determine that the "footy frenzy" was supposedly popular with fans when the majority could not go?

Over 980k+ members in 2020 and at an estimate 96% didn't get to a game at all this season

So how do they deem it popular?

TV ratings? People sitting in front of their TVs during lockdown due to a pandemic I don't really think equates to being "popular with fans"

2021 should see the game given back to the fans. The AFL led by SHocking have already bought in rules changes for the sake of it... now this..

[Andyy]

Big no to footy frenzy for me.

Happy to have a 17 round season but I want 20min quarters back and I don't like games between Monday-Thursday.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I watched less games in fact I forgot a few games were on - particularly the double headers and early week games.
I think we want a gap to review and draw breath before we go again - it’s not big bash.
I quite like Thurs night footy and don’t mimd the idea of a Fri night double header, perhaps 7pm in Melb and 9pm in Perth. They did that in the 90’s and it was fun to have a couple to look forward to to kick off the weekend

[Gracie]

It all depends on how this pandemic goes.

The AFL needs to keep the option of compressing rounds in case there is another lockdown.

Fully expect that by February 2021 the outlook will be more positive and the AFL will resume normal scheduling.

The only reason to then have footy frenzy is if they increase the number of rounds above 22.

[mightytiges]

You could only have a "footy frenzy" during school holidays and early in the season when the weather is warmer. You're not going to get crowds to turn up midweek in winter to watch bottom sides.

[one-eyed]

THE AFL could delay releasing its 2021 fixture until February as it navigates the challenges of a COVID-19 affected world.

But League boss Gillon McLachlan has confirmed next season will revert back to 22 rounds, instead of the 17 in 2020.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/525004/fixture-delay-as-afl-seeks-certainty-decision-on-quarters-looms

[mightytiges]

Waits for Cornes to sook and whinge about us playing 90% more games at the 'G than in 2020  .

[one-eyed]

20 min quarters + time on are back next year.

50 seconds between a goal being scored and the centrebounce.

Floating fixture next year:
Rounds 1 to 6 including dates, times and broadcasters released by Dec 23.
Rounds 7 to 23 will be teams and opponent only. Dates, times and broadcasters will be announced during next season as we go through it.

[WilliamPowell]

Sanity prevails regarding 20 min quarters

Not at all happy about the floating fixture nonsense 

For those of us who travel to interstate games it makes it bloody hard to organise anything

[one-eyed]

Fixture for rounds 1 to 6 to be released this Friday.

source: Tom Browne on 7news.

[WilliamPowell]

yes and going by what Tommy showed looks like round 1 will be a Carlton home game 

[one-eyed]

Tom Browne now saying clubs are expecting the fixture for rounds 1-6 to be released on Monday.

[WilliamPowell]

Up on the AFL site now

We kick of the 2021 season on Thursday 18 March

And it is  (rightly) our home game 

Full round 1 fixture

Thursday, March 18

Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT

Friday, March 19

Collingwood v Western Bulldogs, MCG, 7.50pm AEDT

Saturday, March 20

Melbourne v Fremantle, MCG, 1.45pm AEDT
Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACDT
Essendon v Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm AEDT
Brisbane v Sydney, Gabba, 6.45pm AEST

Sunday, March 21

North Melbourne v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm AEDT
Greater Western Sydney v St Kilda, Giants Stadium, 3.20pm AEDT
West Coast v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 3.10pm AWST

https://www.afl.com.au/news/538892/r1-revealed-massive-friday-night-grudge-match-crows-baptism-of-fire

[mightytiges]

Home game for us

ps. The AFL says hi to Treloar lol.