33 games in 19 days: AFL unveil fixture frenzy following Queensland mass relocation
In a desperate attempt to condense the home and away season, the AFL has revealed four rounds will be played over just three weeks.
AFL
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With precisely 100 fixtures remaining in the 2020 season, the AFL has confirmed 33 matches will be played during a chaotic 19-day fixture bonanza later this month.
Starting on Wednesday, July 29th, four rounds of the AFL will be completed in less than three weeks to fast-track the regular season, full fixtures of which will be released next week.
As revealed by Damian Barrett on AFL.com.au, matches will be scheduled in irregular timeslots — including weekday evenings — and clubs will inevitably be allocated shorter rest periods during the 33-game blitz.
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As the coronavirus epidemic continues to throw hurdles at the AFL, the 19-day burst will hopefully give the competition some breathing room if delays emerge later in the season.
However, the final two rounds of the home-and-away season would take place in the tradition Thursday to Sunday timeslot, as would the finals series.
Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld elaborated on the scheduling scheme.
“From Round 9 onwards I think we can probably get those rounds away and chop a couple of weeks off the season,” Auld said on Wednesday.
“There are periods where we do have games every night of the week. In some cases, you’ll have potentially two games on some night midweek.
“I don’t think the challenges are finished … who knows what’s going to happen next, we’ve just got to be prepared for it.”
Auld also revealed the AFL was planning for Tasmania and the Northern Territory to host matches at some point in the 2020 season.
“We would like to try and get some games away in Tasmania. Certainly, Tasmania has been great for this game but also for the two clubs, Hawthorn and North Melbourne, who play there,” Auld said.
“We would like to get to NT. Certainly, that would be a priority if we can find a way
there.”
"There are periods where we have games every night of the week."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 15, 2020
AFL Fixture boss confirms we're in for a lot of footy in the coming months. #9FootyClassified | Watch @channel9 pic.twitter.com/kulqBP9T2f
On Wednesday afternoon, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed Brisbane would become the new home of football, with Victoria’s clubs to call Queensland home for the rest of the 2020 regular season.
Victorian clubs swiftly fled Melbourne after round five, and although players were initially told they would be away for 32 days, they are now facing up to ten weeks on the road.
McLachlan estimated the mass relocation would cost the AFL $3 million a week, which would total $30 million over the ten-week period. Collingwood president Eddie McGuire conceded he thought the move would be a “financial disaster” for the AFL.
Auld conceded migrating to Queensland will be an “expensive exercise”, but argued: “It is better than the alternative. Not just in terms of our and the industry’s bank account, but in terms of the employment it generates in our industry for our players, also the periphery roles in terms of stadiums and so forth.
“It is important for the industry.”
Due to the condensed calendar, Auld hinted October’s grand final could be brought forward a week to Saturday, October 17th, but clarified no final decision had been made.
“I know that will throw everyone in a bit of a spin about what date it is and what else is on that date,” Auld said.
“Who knows? It’ll probably change again and change a couple of times between now and then, but it gives you a sense of what we’re trying to achieve.”
"You're probably at about the 17th of October."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 15, 2020
Travis Auld speaks about how the condensed fixture could shift the Grand Final date earlier than expected.#9FootyClassified | Watch @channel9 pic.twitter.com/FbfddOsPud
Originally published as 33 games in 19 days: AFL unveil fixture frenzy following Queensland mass relocation