AFL schedules controversial Good Friday double-header as part of 2019 fixture

THE AFL has scheduled a historic Good Friday double-header as part of a controversial 2019 fixture that will see rejuvenated Essendon handed yet another blockbuster clash.

THE AFL has scheduled a historic Good Friday double-header as part of a controversial 2019 fixture that will see Essendon handed yet another blockbuster clash.

The Herald Sun can reveal the league has gone all in on the contentious religious holiday, with North Melbourne’s Good Friday opponent Essendon handed a third massive marquee clash for the season.

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The rejuvenated Bombers are set to feature on Good Friday. Picture: AAP

The Bombers will take on North Melbourne at 4.20pm on Good Friday at Marvel Stadium, followed by West Coast’s contest against Port Adelaide at 8.10pm Melbourne time.

Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said the Bombers were determined to fill Marvel Stadium while at the same time raising money for a worthy cause.

“We feel a great sense of privilege to face North Melbourne for the Good Friday game in that twilight timeslot at Marvel Stadium,” Campbell said.

“As clubs representing the north-west corridor of Melbourne, it is our shared responsibility to generate important awareness and funds for the Good Friday Appeal and we look forward to working closely with North Melbourne in the lead up to the match to do so.”

The AFL’s fixture was postponed by 24 hours until midday on Thursday as broadcasters and clubs — handed the fixture only yesterday — requested significant changes to the draw.

But when it drops it will be a broadcaster-friendly fixture with up to a dozen Thursday night games and a Sunday night experiment early in the year.

The AFL accepts the controversial nature of playing on Good Friday, having had Commission permission for several years but only scheduling the clash since 2017.

The league clearly believes if it is to play on Good Friday it will go big, after last year’s flop saw the Roos and St Kilda draw only 33,966 fans to Etihad Stadium in an 18-goal snoozefest.

North Melbourne chief executive Carl Dilena told the Herald Sun last night the clash against Essendon, which this year resulted in a 35-goal shootout, was guaranteed to be a sellout.

The afternoon game will be shown on Fox Footy and Channel 7, with Fox Footy telecasting the night game as Seven switches back to full coverage of the Good Friday Appeal.

The appeal continues to set new fundraising records, with this year’s final tally $18,043,251.

The Roos fought out a high-scoring clash with the Dons in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

“We’ve been passionate about this game for many years and firmly believe that today’s announcement will result in a capacity crowd,” Dilena said.

“The Bombers are a fantastic result and like us, they just missed out on finals last year.

“We had a shoot out against them last time we played and it all points to another entertaining game on Good Friday.”

The AFL will also dabble with Sunday night football early in the 2019 season.

Early in the year when Melbourne is still in daylight savings the league will schedule a West Australian team against a Victorian team in a Sunday 3.40pm Perth game.

It will mean a 6.40pm starting time in Victoria, allow Fox Footy to assess the ratings of a game that would finish at about 9.20pm on Sunday night.

The league scheduled a disastrous Carlton-Collingwood clash on a Sunday night in 2014, drawing just 40,921 fans and quickly abandoned Sunday night games as a concept.

A series of five day breaks handed to clubs — approved by the AFLPA and requiring changes to the collective bargaining committee — will allow the league unprecedented fixture flexibility.

It means the league can play more Thursday night games and also supercharge Friday nights by playing a big club in a Sunday game then scheduling them the next Friday night.

Dilena said North will waste no time working with Essendon to ensure the focus is on the kids at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the traditional Good Friday Appeal.

“The past two occasions we’ve been able to strike and maintain a healthy balance and perspective with the sick children and their families very much at the forefront of the day,” Dilena said.

“Football takes a back seat until the ball is bounced, and this game is called Kick for the Kids for a reason; we’ll never lose sight of that.

“We have formed an incredible relationship with the Royal Children’s Hospital and Appeal organisers and will continue to really enhance the messaging and publicity so that we can help break another fundraising record.”

Originally published as AFL schedules controversial Good Friday double-header as part of 2019 fixture