Essendon Bombers in line for prime-time AFL fixturing bonanza as league to set schedule

Essendon could be rewarded for early season form – and a potential Anzac Day blockbuster – with more prime-time slots later in the season.

Jake Stringer and the Bombers could be set for a prime-time boon depending on Anzac Day. Picture: Michael Klein

An Anzac Day victory would help deliver Essendon a bumper run home of prime time games when the fixture is updated in a fortnight.

The Bombers stand to be one of the big winners of the Round 16-23 fixture release if they maintain their good form on Thursday and conquer Collingwood at the MCG.

Essendon has blockbuster games from Rounds 16 – 18 against top-placed Geelong, reigning premier Collingwood and premiership fancy Melbourne — all at the MCG.

They will also be must-watch against Sydney Swans in Round 23 (Marvel Stadium) and against Grand Finalist Brisbane in Round 24 (Gabba).

The AFL will seriously consider putting all three Essendon games in the prime time Friday night or Saturday night slot with massive audiences almost certain.

Jake Stringer and the Bombers could be set for a prime-time boon depending on Anzac Day. Picture: Michael Klein

The league has only locked in the first 15 rounds of the schedule but will update the time and dates for eight of the remaining nine rounds in two weeks.

Round 24 will remain a floating fixture, to be confirmed closer to the final round.

Carlton is also set to receive a favourable schedule in the last two months of the season with monster clashes against Richmond (Round 16), GWS (17), Port Adelaide (20) and Collingwood (21) certain to be considered for prime time slots.

But the Bombers will provide one of the most compelling storylines of the run home to September if they are in the frame to play finals and produce their first September win in 20 years.

The AFL have already shown faith in Brad Scott’s men with their early-season draw, handing them a pair of Friday night match-ups in Rounds 4 and 5 leading into the Anzac Day blockbuster.

The club has been one of the surprise packets of the first six rounds, starting 4-2 including a thrilling upset win over Adelaide on Friday night.

Despite their lack of finals success over the past two decades, Essendon has continued to draw massive crowds and strong corporate support.

A crowd of 50,144 attended Essendon’s commanding 29-point win over Western Bulldogs, while there was 73,805 in the season-opening victory over Hawthorn.

Originally published as Essendon Bombers in line for prime-time AFL fixturing bonanza as league to set schedule