2026 Fixture discussion

[OneEyedRichmond]

I don’t see the big deal. It’s 2 extra games of football and avoids moving to a top 10 once there’s a 19th and possibly a 20th team in the competition.
I cannot understand how this is “ruining the game”.

I agree .. love it

[Tiger Khosh]

How exactly does 2 extra games make such an extreme difference to servicing the game fans?
And don’t use the argument that it dilutes making the finals because that old chestnut has been getting wheeled out since they brought out a top 5 in the 70’s.

I said it’s just the latest example of the AFL making a decision to suit themselves and their broadcasters over what the fans want. I think the overwhelming response from the fans has been negative. Ditto the opening round, ditto the pre finals bye, ditto the bye rounds spread over a month of footy weekends.

I don’t especially dislike the wildcard round although the name is stupid because there is nothing different about it vs an elimination final. Assuming the number of teams will hit 20 sooner than later then this was coming regardless. I don’t like the concept in any sport where you play a lengthy season and at the end of it you haven’t even eliminated half the teams, which is what will be the case next year with 10/18 teams qualifying for finals.

[Andyy]

How exactly does 2 extra games make such an extreme difference to servicing the game fans?
And don’t use the argument that it dilutes making the finals because that old chestnut has been getting wheeled out since they brought out a top 5 in the 70’s.

I said it’s just the latest example of the AFL making a decision to suit themselves and their broadcasters over what the fans want. I think the overwhelming response from the fans has been negative. Ditto the opening round, ditto the pre finals bye, ditto the bye rounds spread over a month of footy weekends.

I don’t especially dislike the wildcard round although the name is stupid because there is nothing different about it vs an elimination final. Assuming the number of teams will hit 20 sooner than later then this was coming regardless. I don’t like the concept in any sport where you play a lengthy season and at the end of it you haven’t even eliminated half the teams, which is what will be the case next year with 10/18 teams qualifying for finals.

x2

And once Taz comes in we should be aiming to remain at 18 teams IMO. Get rid of Aints and Norf.

[camboon]

I guess it’s adds interest but no doubt it’s a money grab by the unelected royalty who have made the punters sport/game into a game more for the woke and politicians .
It’s still watchable but it’s no where near the game we once knew.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

More money largely puts more investment into the game which benefits the clubs and ultimately helps keep the nations best athletes interested in AFL as a sport. The AFL has to do this otherwise as a one nation sport, we are at risk of losing future talent to rugby, soccer, cricket etc who can tap into world revenue streams to pay their athletes.

Gold Coast is a benchmark for this investment where growth in participation and the volume of talent is extraordinary. Simply amazing but rather than applaud the AFL most mistakenly bag it as a “money grab”. Forests, trees stuff

[the claw]

We have a home and away season that allows clubs to qualify for finals its pretty low bar already with 8 clubs capable of making finals out of 18 fmd almost half the comp qualifies already.

It should be a final five and thats it.

No byes at the end of the season the top team EARNS that right. 4 and 5 have to win every game and do not get a double chance they have not earnt that right.

Two and three get a double chance a reward for a top 3 finish.

The home and away season is about reward you earn that thru the season.

The fixture should be as even as we can get it and all clubs should play each other the same amount even if it has to done over a two year period.

Clubs have historically struggled to win a flag from 5th how bad will it be now they get a crack from 10th.

As for acadamies which HRT  is talking about we don't need more money being thrown into a rorting of the draft.
Sure invest in acadamies if they must, (seems to me there is enough being thrown at them all ready) but kids in acadamies should not be tied to clubs end of story.

The clubs themselves do very little in this process anyway but reap the labour of others. Clubs in reality should be doing things like this for nothing they also have an obligation for the betterment of the game and the maintaining credability in their league.

Quite clearly queesland growth in population has a lot to do with footballing people retiring to the sunshine and their kids grow up playing footy instead of rugby. There

[mightytiges]

We're playing GWS in the Barossa during Gather Round.


Gather Round April 9-12

Thurs
Adelaide v Carlton - AO

Fri
Collingwood v Fremantle - AO

Sat
NM v Brisbane - Barossa
Essendon v Melbourne - AO
Sydney v GC - Norwood
Hawthorn v WB - AO

Sun
Geelong v WCE - Norwood
GWS v Richmond - Barossa 2.45pm
PA v STK - AO

@7NewsMelbourne @7AFL

https://x.com/cleary_mitch/status/1988429599978692822
https://x.com/7AFL/status/1988430159222108314

[one-eyed]

Dreamtime in Round 11.

-------------------------

Friday night doubleheaders in 2026 🥀

ROUND 11
Richmond v Essendon, MCG, 7.40pm
Fremantle v St Kilda, Optus Stadium, 8.30pm

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1452342/showdown-sydney-derby-headline-run-of-six-friday-night-double-headers

[WilliamPowell]

Dreamtime in Round 11.

-------------------------

Friday night doubleheaders in 2026 🥀

ROUND 11
Richmond v Essendon, MCG, 7.40pm
Fremantle v St Kilda, Optus Stadium, 8.30pm

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1452342/showdown-sydney-derby-headline-run-of-six-friday-night-double-headers

Yet again.... the "traditional" Dreamtime at the G is on a Friday to appease the broadcasters and this current TV rights deal

So much for the AFL guarantee marquee Saturday games would not be moved and be on FTA TV

Just another example of the AFL contempt for fans and the comp.

[one-eyed]

The AFL will release its 2026 fixture from midday today.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/11/12/afl-fixture-hawthorn-prime-time-games

Why does Carlton get 7 primetime games in the first 16 rounds? 

[ajGreen]

@RichmondDynasty
·

Tigers playing Carlton, StKilda, West Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne and North Melbourne twice

13 games at the MCG
3 games at Marvel
1 home game in Hobart
1 game at Geelong
twice to Perth
twice to SA (AO and Barossa)
1 game in Sydney
0 Queensland games

[TigerLand]

Have to say that's quite a good draw. Would have loved 14 at the G  and 2 at Marvel, but can't have everything.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Have to say that's quite a good draw. Would have loved 14 at the G  and 2 at Marvel, but can't have everything.

We ain’t playing Norf, Saints or Doggies at the G when it’s their home game.

[ajGreen]

10th place incoming

[TigerLand]

Somewhat happy with start of the season, not all fully ticketed games at the g to start helps families get to the game properly. However only 2 non fully ticketed games at the G in the first 8 rounds is an issue for families, especially for a team down the bottom, our season could be over by round 9 our 3 home game where its not fully ticketed.

A great run at the G post Tassie game.

1 Blues MCG (A)
2 Gold Coast MCG (H)
3 Freo Sub (A)
4 Port MCG (H)
5 GWS Gather Round SA
6 NM Marvel (A)
7 Melb MCG (H) Anzac Eve
8 WCE Sub (A)
9 Adelaide MCG (H)
10 Saints Etihad (A)
11 Essendon MCG (H) Dreamtime
12 Sydney SCG (A)
13 Bye
14 Lions - Tassie (H)
15 NM MCG (H)
16 Pies MCG (A)
17 Blues MCG (H)
18 Melb MCG (A)
19 Hawks MCG (H)
20 Dogs Marvel (A)
21 WCE MCG (H)
22 Crows AO (A)
23 Saints MCG (H)
24 Cats Kardinia