Fans slam AFL’s Opening Round concept as games head interstate in bold move

Footy fans have blasted the AFL after it was announced the first weekend of footy would be held interstate in a massive shake-up under Andrew Dillon’s tenure.

Footy fans aren’t happy with the AFL’s Opening Round concept. Picture Dylan Burns / AFL Photos

Footy fans have condemned the AFL’s decision to start the season away from the game’s heartland, with frustrated Victorian supporters feeling short-changed by the bold move.

The AFL will on Thursday release next year’s fixture, with the first matches of the season to be played in Sydney and Queensland in a break from tradition.

AFL Fans’ Association president Ron Issko said 80 per cent of supporters were against starting the season with a “round zero”.

“There are various reasons they don’t like it,’’ he said.

“They don’t like it because they don’t like upsetting tradition, they don’t want to travel interstate for the first week of the season.’’

Brisbane will host Carlton at the Gabba in the first weekend of footy. Picture: Dylan Burns / AFL Photos

The unprecedented move to play the first four AFL matches of the season in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney comes as the NRL prepares to launch its season with two matches in Las Vegas.

The four NRL teams playing in the historic US season launch on March 2 — Manly, South Sydney, Brisbane and Sydney Roosters – will not play in Sydney or Queensland when AFL teams roll into town on March 7, 8 and 9.

A Herald Sun poll this month on whether “ground zero” was a good idea found 65 per cent of more than 1800 fans were against it.

Mr Issko said the Fans Association had conducted its own survey of more than 900 supporters on the issue, with 82 per cent opposing it.

“From the perspective of the AFL trying to take advantage of the NRL being away that weekend and playing some games in NSW and Queensland, I understand the strategy,’’ he said.

“However, fans don’t like it.’’

Cameron Pope’s Demons and Trudie Stevens’ Blues won’t play in Victoria in the first round. Picture: Michael Klein.

Sydney and Melbourne will open the AFL season at the SCG on March 7 and Brisbane hosts Carlton at the GABBA on March 8 in the new early round.

Gold Coast will host Richmond and Collingwood travels to Sydney to face GWS on March 9, before “round one” is held the following week.

Mr Issko said fans would have liked to have been consulted before the change was introduced.

“I understand when it’s something new the reaction might be ‘don’t change, we like the Richmond-Carlton opening game’,’’ he said.

“We like the fact that round one is round one.

“It gets confusing when you have round zero, then round one and you’ve got some teams that after round one have played two games.

“It’s hard to get right in your head.’’

The opening weekend of footy won’t feature the traditional Richmond and Carlton clash at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein

There were also fears airlines will jack up the price of flights, as Collingwood, Carlton, Richmond and Melbourne – with some of the biggest supporter bases in Australian sport – prepare to fly north.

“It’s disappointing for your grassroots fans who may be able to save to go to one interstate game, when the prices are jacked up by airlines and accommodation,’’ he said.

Mr Issko said the Fans Association had also polled supporters on their views about Thursday night matches, with the AFL expected to lock in matches in that slot for the first 14 rounds of the season.

“Seventy per cent of fans do not like attending Thursday night football because it upsets them for work or school the next day,’’ he said.