Round 1, 2022: Richmond vs Carlton @ the MCG, Thurs. March 17

[yandb]

Cheese sandwich.

[one-eyed]

We may not have the season opener.

AFL considering Wednesday night grand final rematch to start season

Jake Niall
The Age
December 2, 2021

The AFL is considering whether to start the 2022 men’s season on a Wednesday night with a rematch of the 2021 grand final or stick with the traditional Carlton-Richmond opener.

Senior sources at the AFL confirmed that the grand final rematch between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs was a chance to be the first game, with the alternative of the established Blues v Tigers game, which would likely stay on a Thursday night.

The Demons-Bulldogs game is likely to be played in round one regardless of whether it is the season opener or not. It would be played at the MCG.

There has long been an argument that the first game of the season ought to be between the grand finalists of the season before, or the two highest-placed Victorian teams. But Carlton and Richmond’s Thursday night match has been a genuine blockbuster, drawing significant crowds even though one team or the other has struggled, Carlton most recently.

The size of the supporter bases of Carlton and Richmond also means that game can draw a significant crowd without the status of being the season opener, provided it is in a favourable slot.

League sources said Thursday night was still the likely slot for the Blues and Tigers, even if the grand final rematch preceded it on the Wednesday.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-considering-wednesday-night-blockbuster-to-start-season-20211201-p59dzw.html

[Gracie]

Having the first game of the season means nothing to me, so not fussed when we play.

Carlton are always primed for the first game whereas we are looking longer into the season. And with a new coach they would have extra incentive.

The other thing is Grand Final rematches so early in the season rarely go well. Again, like us, both teams have an eye to the finals so not necessarily on top of their game. The Bulldogs might have a point to prove and Melbourne might still be celebrating.

[Andyy]

A GF replay in R1 is silly.

I want a build up to it. There's nothing to suggest either team will be any good this year. I always prefer the later clashes in the middle 3rd of the season when you occasionally have undefeated teams playing one another after 5-10 wins.

And as Gracie said if they are smart they won't be too fussed about R1.

[Gracie]

A GF replay in R1 is silly.

I want a build up to it. There's nothing to suggest either team will be any good this year. I always prefer the later clashes in the middle 3rd of the season when you occasionally have undefeated teams playing one another after 5-10 wins.

And as Gracie said if they are smart they won't be too fussed about R1.

Yes play the GF replay in say round 4 and give them each 3 games against lower ranked teams and they go into the game both undefeated

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Having the first game of the season means nothing to me, so not fussed when we play.

Carlton are always primed for the first game whereas we are looking longer into the season. And with a new coach they would have extra incentive.

The other thing is Grand Final rematches so early in the season rarely go well. Again, like us, both teams have an eye to the finals so not necessarily on top of their game. The Bulldogs might have a point to prove and Melbourne might still be celebrating.

I agree Gracie. I like playing Carlton and have a feeling that next year might be an interesting contest.

[one-eyed]

Mitch Cleary on 7news tonight said Melbourne vs Bulldogs is "locked in" to be the season opener next year.

https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1466677314142363649

If true then we'll be the second match which be on the Thursday night.

[one-eyed]

The AFL will open the season with a grand final rematch between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday night as the league locks in round one ahead of the expected fixture release next week.

Industry sources said Geelong will play Essendon in a Saturday afternoon blockbuster between the two finalists from last season while Carlton are certain to meet Richmond in the traditional Thursday night clash between the two power clubs.

AFL ROUND ONE MATCH-UPS

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs ..... Wednesday night
Richmond v Carlton .................... Thursday night
Geelong v Essendon ................... Saturday afternoon
Collingwood v St Kilda
Hawthorn v North Melbourne
Sydney Swans v GWS Giants

Sources at the northern-based clubs, the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast, said they expected to be playing teams from South Australia or Western Australia, with a league source confirming that would be the case.

The AFL is expected to release the first nine rounds of the 2022 fixture next week with the timeslots for the remaining match-ups after round nine to be decided closer to the games to ensure blockbusters are in the best time slots and to also give the league flexibility if COVID-19 impacts on the season.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/wednesday-night-demons-dogs-opener-and-geelong-v-essendon-tipped-for-round-one-20211203-p59epc.html

[wayne]

Wednesday night game 

The AFL are clueless

[one-eyed]

Confirmed.

ROUND ONE, 2022

Wednesday, March 16
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, MCG, 7.10pm AEDT, Seven

Thursday, March 17
Carlton v Richmond, MCG, 7.25pm AEDT, Seven

Friday, March 18
St Kilda v Collingwood, Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm AEDT, Seven

Saturday, March 19
Geelong v Essendon, MCG, 2.10pm AEDT, Fox
Greater Western Sydney v Sydney, Accor Stadium, 5.10pm AEDT, Fox
Brisbane v Port Adelaide, Gabba, 7.10pm AEST, Seven

Sunday, March 20
Hawthorn v North Melbourne, MCG, 1.10pm AEDT, Fox
Adelaide v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval, 3.40pm ACDT, Fox
West Coast v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 4.40pm AWST, Fox

https://www.afl.com.au/news/690494/r1-fixture-reveal-new-opener-big-buddy-plans-pies-in-spotlight

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I’ve never cared less about losing something, it only hurts the Dees and the Dogs. Weds night? 
They could’ve had the GF on Fri night with better ratings and a bigger crowd. Instead, they’ve diluted another potential blockbuster

[mightytiges]

The biggest Melb-Dogs H/A crowd is 55k way back in 1962. They've only one crowd above 40k since then.

https://afltables.com/afl/teams/melbourne/allgames_tm.html#7

So the AFL is clearly hoping the flag raising will drag in the cheese platter bandwagoners. Not sure the Dogs supporters will turn up in droves though. Who wants to watch the team you lost the Granny to celebrate once again. Remember us playing Carlton in round 1, 1983. That was fun - NOT! 

As for us - redemption begins Thursday night  .

[one-eyed]

Will your club make a winning start in 2022?

afl.com.au
5 December 2021

Thursday, March 17
Carlton v Richmond at the MCG, 7.25pm AEDT

As is tradition, the two Victorian heavyweights will clash in the opening round on Thursday night, although this time it will not be the season-opener. The Tigers have won the past 11 matches between the two sides with the Blues' last victory coming way back in 2013. It will be Michael Voss' first game in charge as he looks to get his Carlton coaching career off to a winning start.

Last three meetings
2021 R1: Richmond 15.15 (105) def Carlton 11.14 (80) at the MCG
2020 R1: Richmond 16.9 (105) def Carlton 12.9 (81) at the MCG
2019 R21: Richmond 11.7 (73) def Carlton 6.9 (45) at the MCG

Last time at the MCG
2021 R23: Richmond 12.11 (83) drew Hawthorn 12.11 (83)
2021 R18: Carlton 13.13 (91) def Collingwood 9.8 (62)

Last five round one results
Richmond: WWWWW
Carlton: LLLLL

https://www.afl.com.au/news/690794/will-your-club-make-a-winning-start-in-2022-

[one-eyed]

Robert Walls believes Carlton’s ‘list is the best it's been in a decade’ .


https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/carlton-blues/afl-2022-robert-walls-says-carlton-blues-have-the-best-list-in-a-decade-michael-voss-captaincy-call-announcement-leadership-group-patrick-cripps-jacob-weitering-sam-walsh/news-story/ec868f3adf2add67ea74299667e08c94

[Willy]

That's not saying much.