Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide put in their fixture requests — but Friday night Showdown seems a long shot
The AFL is tipped to release its 2020 fixture next week, with the Crows and Power hopeful of attracting some blockbusters. But a Friday night Showdown once again appears a long shot.
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Port Adelaide’s 150th anniversary is set to earn the Power some favourable fixtures in season 2020.
But a Friday night Showdown is considered to be unlikely next year.
The 2020 season fixtures are expected to be released next week, however clubs are yet to see any draft schedules of the coming AFL season.
Both the Crows and the Power have put forward their priorities for the 2020 season and are awaiting any word from the AFL as to whether their wishes will be realised.
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The Advertiser understands that as in previous years Port Adelaide have put hosting a game in Anzac Round and the game in China as its top priorities. It has already been announced that St Kilda will again be the opponent in Shanghai on May 31 in round 11. But the Power are also hopeful of being able to host a big 150th birthday game in late July.
At the launch of its commemorative logo for the anniversary year Port chief executive Keith Thomas said the club would wear its original blue-and-white hooped guernsey when the Power play in the birthday celebration game.
The Advertiser understands Port Adelaide and the AFL have been working together around the 150th anniversary with the governing organisation aware of the significance of the birthday celebrations.
It is also understood the Crows pushed for hosting a home game in the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls round, the league’s annual round recognising and celebrating indigenous players.
They also lobbied for balanced timeslots and some of the bigger clubs from Victoria to come to Adelaide Oval.
In 2019 the Crows were able to get home games against Geelong, Richmond, Collingwood and Essendon.
Following Eddie Betts’ return to Carlton, an official goodbye to the city that loved him so much — and named the forward pockets at Adelaide Oval after him — has been widely speculated to be on the cards.
But it is understood a Friday night Showdown will remain unlikely next season, despite persistent calls in Adelaide for the fierce rivalry to get the prime-time TV spot.
The AFL Players Union has argued that the two South Australian clubs should not travel interstate during the pre-season series.
AFLPA chief Paul Marsh said some Victorian clubs only travelled interstate one to five times during the season and this had to be balanced out.