Richmond and Hawthorn fans upset by AFL decision to play Thursday night qualifying final

SUPPORTERS have queried why the AFL has decided to open this year’s September action on a school night when many fans are unlikely to be able to attend the MCG showdown.

Families say they won’t be able to bring their kids to Thursday footy. Picture: Getty

FOOTY fans have railed against the AFL’s decision to schedule Richmond and Hawthorn’s opening match of the finals on a Thursday night.

Supporters have questioned why the league decided to open this year’s September action on a school night when many fans are unlikely to be able to attend the MCG showdown.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon were among several footy figures yesterday who criticised the AFL decision, which caught many by surprise.

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AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said the decision was very unpopular with supporters.

“Thursday night will clearly rate incredibly well on TV but for the people who turn up to the footy it’s an unpopular timeslot,’’ he said.

“People with families and people who live in the country and outer suburbs in particular don’t like Thursday night games.’’

Mr Eeman said opposition to Thursday night matches was one of the most common complaints at a recent footy fan forum, with supporters feeling the AFL took them for granted.

Night games are more difficult for people who live in regional areas. Picture: AAP

“Fans that go to games definitely prefer to go on the weekend,’’ he said.

“Some fans going on the Thursday night won’t get home until after midnight and that can be quite a slog.’’

Richmond cheer squad president Gerard Egan said he was yet to speak to a fan that was happy the match would be played on Thursday week.

“My initial reaction began with the letter f and couldn’t be printed in the paper,’’ he said.

Rather than rewarding record numbers of fans who flocked to matches this season, Mr Egan said the AFL was pandering to TV executives.

“The crowd will turn up, despite it being Thursday night, but it doesn’t mean they are happy with it,’’ he said.

AFL general manager clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld. Picture: Getty

“They will have 90,000 fans there to support their teams but they would be a lot happier on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon.’’

AFL fixture boss Travis Auld defended the decision to schedule two big Victorian clubs on a Thursday night.

“Families and kids getting to the game from outside the CBD or having school the next day, that issue applies anywhere where we play,’’ he told SEN. “Our expectations are we will get 90,000 plus, we are confident with those teams and the strength of those teams that there will be a really strong crowd.”

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