Port Adelaide-Gold Coast game in AFL Round 9 might be pushed forward for A-League grand final
PORT Adelaide could have its Sunday lunchtime clash with Gold Coast in May move to a Saturday night match at Adelaide Oval — if the A-League grand final is hosted by Melbourne Victory.
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PORT Adelaide fans could gain an extra Saturday night game — their favourite timeslot for AFL matches — at Adelaide Oval next season.
The AFL is prepared to move the Power-Gold Coast game from a Sunday lunchtime match starting at 12.40pm — the least popular among Port Adelaide supporters — at the Oval in Round 9 on May 19.
This is all on the contingency planning the league has put in place to avoid a double-booking between soccer’s A-League and the AFL’s home-and-away fixture at the AFL-controlled Marvel Stadium in Melbourne’s Docklands.
If Melbourne Victory qualifies for the A-League soccer grand final on Saturday, May 18, the AFL is prepared to delay the Essendon-Fremantle night game to the next day.
Port Adelaide would then have its clash with the Suns brought forward to a 7.10pm clash on Saturday, May 18.
There would be no A-League/AFL double-booking at Adelaide Oval, however.
If Adelaide United earns home rights to the A-League grand final, Adelaide Oval will be free for that Saturday night — and the ground can be immediately converted by stadium staff after the soccer match for the AFL to accommodate Port Adelaide’s needs.
The Power says it is not concerned by the potential earlier start to the match.
“Neither the Power or Suns would be disadvantaged by a short break, as both will still have a minimum seven days between matches even if the timeslot swap goes ahead,” Port Adelaide says on its website.
AFL executive Travis Auld admits the league’s willingness to change the fixture for a rival sport is “unusual”. But it also reflects the league’s commercial needs in managing a stadium.
“What we have done, which is a little unusual for us, we’ll make a decision closer to the start of the season, late March, before the season starts,” Auld said.
“It’s a better game on a Saturday night, Essendon-Fremantle on a Saturday night, it’s the right slot for it, but we value our partnership with the Victorian government, and it’s a venue for all sports.
“You shouldn’t see that as a leader for what we might do in other slots, it’s a very unique situation, it’s a long-standing commitment we’ve had and one we plan to continue.”