Jon Ralph’s plan for how the AFL tackles Round 24
How do you fit two games for Essendon and Gold Coast into one weekend of footy? That’s the equation the AFL has to solve – and Jon Ralph unpacks how it may look.
AFL
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The AFL has ruled out introducing more flexibility in its 2026 fixture as it attempts to save a round 24 fixture that could still finish with one of the biggest dead rubbers.
Essendon is set to finish the home-and-away season with four Thursday or Friday night fixtures no matter how the AFL structures its final round.
The Herald Sun reported this month that the Gold Coast v Essendon Cyclone Alfred game will be the final clash of the home-and-away season on August 27.
The Suns also take on Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) and Essendon plays Carlton (MCG) in that round.
Both clubs would ideally have six-day breaks leading into that August 27 clash given the Dons have already had a pair of five-day breaks this season.
The Suns would also be desperate to avoid a five-day break with travel leading into a clash where they might have to win to play in their first finals series or even qualify for a double chance.
But broadcasters Seven and Fox Footy would want the AFL to schedule a marquee Friday night clash in round 24 to maximise ratings.
They would be desperate to avoid Thursday and Friday dead rubbers to start that round so Brisbane v Hawthorn has huge appeal as the Friday night clash.
So the league’s options include a Thursday night double-header (Port v Suns, Essendon v Carlton) then the Brisbane-Hawthorn clash on Friday night.
The league could also schedule Port v Suns on the Thursday night then a Friday double-header (Brisbane v Hawthorn, Dons v Carlton) which would then give the Dons a five-day break leading into its second game of the round.
Western Bulldogs versus Fremantle is another enticing clash in that round because one or both clubs might have win-and-in scenarios.
The Dogs play on the Sunday of round 23 so would be less likely to play on the Friday of round 24.
The league could decide the Dogs-Fremantle clash is the perfect Sunday afternoon encounter as it seeks to build maximum drama for the weekend.
Other clashes that weekend include North Melbourne v Adelaide, GWS v St Kilda, Collingwood v Melbourne, West Coast v Sydney, and Collingwood v Melbourne.
So while some of those clubs will have to win to qualify or boost their finals position, there are few other clashes between two teams likely to play off in September.
The league will be desperately hoping Gold Coast has something to play for in its game against Essendon like a home final or double chance.
Essendon will be desperate for its season to end by that stage and if the Suns are locked into their ladder position they would consider resting a host of player.
While their rivals will have a full two week break leading into finals they could have as little as a week depending on when the league schedules their week one final.
If a Suns player is concussed in that Essendon game they will miss the first final given at best they will have a nine-day break leading into their first final.
The AFL’s awards night will be on the Thursday after the Gold Coast v Essendon clash.
Originally published as Jon Ralph’s plan for how the AFL tackles Round 24
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