AFLW game between Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide could be moved to avoid fixture clash
The AFL player union has expressed its disappointment at the fixture clash between the Western Bulldogs men’s and women’s games next Friday, with a change of plan on the cards.
AFL
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The AFL player union has expressed its disappointment at the fixture clash between the Western Bulldogs men’s and women’s games next Friday as moves are made to switch the AFLW game to clear air.
The Dogs were furious that their first men’s final in Victoria in eight years and their first AFLW home game of the new season were both scheduled on the same day.
The women’s clash - one of only five home games this year for the Dogs - takes place at 5.05pm at Whitten Oval with the men’s final against Hawthorn at the MCG at 7.40pm on Friday night.
AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh told the Herald Sun there were “ongoing discussions” about a potential switch of the women’s clash.
But he said even despite the difficulties of scheduling finals across an AFLW competition it was not an ideal fixture.
The women will be judged on their metrics by the AFL as they attempt to broaden their competition into a 17-game fixture but it is challenging when the Dogs fans will instead be at the men’s game.
“The AFLPA understands the complexities of fixturing and this is further complicated when the AFL and AFLW seasons overlap”, Marsh said.
“In saying this we have spent a significant amount of time discussing how to grow the AFLW competition for the benefit of the industry and the decision to fixture both Bulldogs games so close together is in conflict with these efforts, particularly when the future growth of the AFLW competition is based on attendance and tv ratings metrics.
“We have had conversations with the AFL and the Western Bulldogs and our understanding is there are ongoing discussions around a potential resolution to this issue and we are hopeful this will happen quickly.”
Sydney was also disappointed to be handed a 3.20pm Saturday clash instead of prime time, and would have had a longer break if the AFL had handed it a Thursday night fixture.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said on AFL360 on Monday most clubs would be happy with the fixture.
“I’ve spoken to most of the clubs today and I don’t think anyone’s disappointed to be in finals,” Dillon said.
“Our fixturing team do an incredible job and the way that round 24 landed, you couldn’t have scripted it. The team take into account attendance, broadcast, days breaks, what weeks two and three are going to look like and ultimately, we consult with the clubs and the venues.
“Clubs have a view of what’s best but when it’s all said and done, they’re really happy to be there.”
‘OPPORTUNITY MISSED’: SWANS COACH WEIGHS IN ON AFLW CLASH
- Lachlan McKirdy
Swans coach Scott Gowans admits he was surprised by the decision to not completely separate the Western Bulldogs’ first AFLW home game and their men’s elimination final against Hawthorn.
As part of the first week of men’s finals fixtures in a fortnight, the Bulldogs-Hawthorn elimination final has been scheduled for Friday night at the MCG. The 7.40pm bounce is less than three hours from the start of the Bulldogs’ first AFLW game against Port Adelaide at their redeveloped headquarters at Whitten Oval which begins at 5.05pm.
The scheduling means it will be next to impossible for Bulldogs fans to attend both matches, while the club has also been left frustrated by the fact they will have to split their resources across two massive games.
Although Gowans conceded there must be reasons for the decision, he didn’t believe it made sense considering the priority that has been placed on attracting larger crowd numbers to grow the length of the AFLW competition.
“It feels like from the outside looking in that it was an opportunity missed and it’s disappointing that the Bulldogs W team clashes with the men’s program,” Gowans said.
“There’ll be reasons behind it, I’m sure, and the AFL would have to be aware of it and they’ve made a decision based on the evidence they’ve got. But from the outside looking in, it’s not ideal.
“I think that’s why the Bulldogs’ decision baffles you a little bit. We’re all on board to try and lift the crowds and get the average attendance up to get another game into the season. You just want to have the right timeslots, and the right fixtures to allow us all to do that.
“I think all clubs are on board with that, trying to get that number.”
The Swans have received the honour of starting the ninth season of AFLW at North Sydney Oval against Collingwood this Friday.
Following an incredible second season for the club where they made it to the semi finals, Gowans admitted they have tried to move on from last year’s success. They are attacking this year with a new game plan, a focus on winning contested footy and confidence that their young players can be one of the best transition units in the competition.
“Obviously I come from Collingwood as well, there’s a lot of healthy rivalry there,” Gowans said. “I think Sam Wright will be a great coach … I wish them all the best, but just not this week.
“We’ve trained and put a lot of time into (contested ball). It’s a development piece for us … don’t expect it to come and be a strength of ours early on, but it’s something we’re going to work really hard on, and we know that we’re one of the better sides at moving the ball when we get the opportunity to.
“Hopefully, the competition’s improved as well. That’s what makes it exciting for the whole product to go up as well. But I think we’ve definitely improved. It’s just now putting it all together under the pressure of the lights and the cameras.”
More than 6,000 fans are expected to pack out North Sydney Oval to get their first glimpse of the Swans this season.
And they’ve received a boost with Ally Morphett now listed as a chance to play. The All-Australian ruck had an injury-interrupted pre-season, but a strong fortnight has put her in contention to make her return.
SWANS LEFT SHORT-CHANGED BY FINALS FIXTURE
The Sydney Swans have been left questioning the advantage of winning the minor premiership after being handed a Saturday afternoon qualifying final against the GWS Giants.
Despite making it clear to the AFL their preference was to play on Friday evening, that game has been scheduled as the elimination final between the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn at the MCG. The third Sydney Derby of the year will be played at 3.20pm on Saturday, September 7.
The Western Bulldogs are also frustrated in that decision due to the clash with their AFLW match at Whitten Oval on the same night.
But for the Swans, if they win their first two finals it means that they will likely receive a day less break than either Port Adelaide or Geelong if they meet in the grand final.
Last year’s minor premiers Collingwood played their first final on a Thursday night and their preliminary final on a Friday night. A year earlier, Geelong played their qualifying final on Saturday afternoon despite finishing on top of the table.
It’s also the fourth final between the Swans and Giants in their short history. And although the rivalry has become one of the best in the competition, the AFL has yet to see fit to give them a prime time final. All three of their previous finals meetings have been in the afternoon at either 3.20pm or 4.20pm.
Saturday afternoon is generally a good timeslot in Sydney, but there will likely be a clash for many families with junior sporting finals taking place across the state. 40,337 fans attended the Sydney Derby earlier this year at the SCG in a Saturday 1.45pm timeslot.
Giants key forward Jesse Hogan believes the clash has become one of the must-watch fixtures in the competition. He also knows his side is relishing a match-up that is as good as hosting a qualifying final.
“If it wasn’t gonna be our home final, this is probably the second-best option, so we’re absolutely stoked,” Hogan said.
“They got the better of us twice this year, so we owe them one I guess. This is one of the fiercest rivalries in footy in my opinion. I haven’t played in Showdowns or some of the other ones, but there’s a lot of feeling in it and it’s very real. It’s not superficial.
“They’ve been the team to beat all year from round zero all the way through to round 24. So they’re in good form at the moment. We’re in pretty good form [too]. We had a loss yesterday, but I feel as though it’s gonna be a good match-up.”
Hogan officially claimed his first Coleman Medal following yesterday’s loss to the Bulldogs. His two goals took his tally to 69 for the season, He finished 11 goals to the good of Jeremy Cameron in second place.
While he’s still solely focused on the task at hand in winning the Giants’ inaugural premiership, Hogan admitted it was a surreal feeling given the ups and downs of his career.
He also attributed the success to the family who have been alongside him every step of the way.
“Just playing 24 games or 23 games this year was a big goal of mine, so to be standing as the Coleman Medallist is a pretty cool feeling,” he said. “It’s a cool accolade.”
“It’s a pretty unique journey as has been well documented. When I got to the Giants, I’d had a lot of issues with my body and just being able to play consecutive games.
“In 2022, we planned to get 18 (games). I got 18 and was over the moon. So to be here two years later, play 23 games and be in this position, it’s not something I ever thought could happen.
“That’s probably what brings me the most joy is seeing how happy my mum gets. She rides the emotions harder than anyone … It’s been a huge part of my story.
“She’ll fly over and come to all the finals. Same with my brother and my two sisters, they’re the most important people in my life, and they’ve had to go through a fair bit with me, it hasn’t always been easy. I definitely played for them and that’s probably the thing that brings me the most pride.”
Originally published as AFLW game between Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide could be moved to avoid fixture clash
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