Carlton Blues, Essendon Bombers snubbed from prime time as next fixture block announced
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Relegated giants Carlton and Essendon were eliminated from Thursday and Friday night matches; because the AFL rewards the competition’s true contenders against powerhouses who failed in the latest fixture edition.
Ladder leader Sydney, back-to-back winners Brisbane and perennial finalists Geelong are 16-22 in the league. His schedule between tours includes coveted prime-time free-to-air TV programming.
Even night football pioneers Fremantle and North Melbourne got the nod ahead of the Blues and Bombers.
The AFL has learned from last year’s fixture misjudgement by turning its back on underperforming giants who were not featured in prime-time games on Thursday and Friday.
Even a match against the Blues’ arch-rival Collingwood wasn’t enough for the league to give them precious time slots.
They have been given six games on Saturday, meaning their fans will have to sign up to pay TV to see their team on the big screen, but they will return to prime time on Sunday night in a special Spud’s Game against St Kilda, which raises mental health awareness.
The Bombers were also moved out of first place and became specialists on Sunday with five matches on the day, including three in the graveyard, starting at 4.40pm.
The AFL is bolstering the Swans’ box office appeal by awarding four games on Thursday and Friday night, including the round 16 opener against the Lions.
The Showdown, arguably the league’s biggest rivalry, was given its own time slot, but was scheduled not on a Thursday or Friday night, but instead as the only Saturday night game in the round of 16. The league awarded Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney a Friday night game in this round.
Highlighting HQ’s belief in non-Victorian clubs, Fremantle and the Swans will begin proceedings in the round of 18 in a match that could go a long way in deciding which of these clubs will crucially finish in the top two. This is one of three Thursday and Friday night matches played by two clubs outside Victoria.
The Lions were also recognized for maintaining excellence in their three prime-time matches against flag contenders Sydney, Geelong and Hawthorn.
The Kangaroos, who made Friday night football their own in the 1980s and ’90s, play Collingwood in their first independent game since 2019, in a move that marks the North’s emergence from doldrums.
Alastair Clarkson’s men also face a round 22 clash against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night, which could be crucial in securing a place in the final.
Richmond’s strong decline was highlighted by the only free game against Melbourne on the Sunday of round 18.
There are two Friday night doubleheaders in the 17th and 20th rounds; the second includes the Western Derby.
The AFL is postponing its schedule for rounds 23 and 24.
