By Sam McClure
Essendon and Gold Coast believe the AFL has reached the best possible outcome in re-arranging the fixture so they will both play twice in the final round of the season.
The AFL announced on Thursday that the clash between the Bombers and the Suns would take place in round 24, after their opening round clash was postponed from this Saturday due to Cyclone Alfred.
The league also confirmed that Brisbane’s clash with Geelong, originally fixtured as the season opener, would be played in round three, when both teams were due to have a bye.
The Bombers and Suns will play each other twice in round 24.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Brisbane and Geelong game will be played at 6.35pm local time (7.35pm AEDT) at the Gabba on Saturday night in round three.
Neither Gold Coast nor Essendon wanted to lose their chance of a mid-season mini rest and thus the AFL decided to make it the last game of the home-and-away season, which is likely to be mid-week after the rest of round 24 is played.
The Bombers and the Suns were provided with a range of options when the AFL began offering contingency plans to reschedule their postponed match.
The main alternative the clubs considered was to forego their mid-season byes and schedule the game then.
Gold Coast have a bye in round 14 and Essendon in round 16.
The re-fixturing represents a risk for the AFL. If both teams are out of finals contention by round 24, the home-and-away season will essentially finish with a dead rubber.
Essendon haven’t won a final since 2004 and Gold Coast have never made the eight.
It would also put pressure on the round 24 fixture, given that potential premiership contenders Carlton play arch rivals Essendon, which the AFL would ideally like to put in a prime-time slot.
Round 24 is a floating fixture and will not be announced until later in the season.
“When looking at the rescheduling of these matches we had a focus on having the least amount of disruption on the competition, ensuring that all clubs still have a mid-season bye and managing travel arrangements across the season – particularly for the four impacted clubs,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.
“I would like to thank our clubs, broadcasters and venues for their cooperation during this unprecedented situation and our thoughts remain with our staff, players, fans and all those in southeast Queensland and northern NSW that may be impacted.”
The Bombers said preserving their mid-season bye was “extremely important” and were confident they had arrived at the “best option available” for the club and players.
“We stand with the AFL in prioritising the health and safety of the Queensland and New South Wales communities,” Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo said.
“The club has worked closely with the AFL over the past few days on a number of different rescheduling options.
“We will continue to work with the AFL on the scheduling of our rounds 17-24 matches to prioritise the very best outcome for our players and the wider club.”
Gold Coast CEO Mark Evans said the club was supportive of the AFL’s decision.
“We are appreciative of the AFL’s efforts to move quickly to reschedule our match and provide certainty for our members and fans,” Evans said.
“We are satisfied this arrangement is the most reasonable outcome given the circumstances, and could very well provide fans from teams across the competition with one of the great grandstand finishes to a season.
“As for this weekend, the health and safety of our community is the No.1 priority right now and we urge everyone to follow the recommended advice to stay safe from Cyclone Alfred.”
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