Collingwood back on Friday night broadway at expense of Carlton
COLLINGWOOD will reclaim its mantle as Friday night kings next year after tumbling off centre stage in recent seasons, with traditional rival Carlton all but set to lose its privileges to the game’s most coveted timeslot.
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COLLINGWOOD will reclaim its mantle as Friday night kings next year after tumbling off centre stage in recent seasons.
Clubs must have fixturing requests in by next Friday, with Carlton expected to lose their Friday night privileges.
This year premiers Richmond were handed five Friday night games and three Thursday night clashes, meaning more than a third of their games were in marquee slots.
The Pies play only three Friday night games — against Carlton, Adelaide and the Bulldogs — and no Thursday games for the season.
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But this year they have roared up the ladder playing the open, attractive style the AFL is keen to replicate next season.
In 18 games they have kicked 100 points eight times and 99 in another for an average of 93 points.
With an exciting bunch of players with X-factor including Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson and high-flyer Jeremy Howe, they have strong appeal to broadcasters.
Melbourne can also expect to be a winner from next year’s marquee fixture given their eye-catching style and expected success.
They play only one Friday night game this season and no Thursday games but have provided much of the year’s drama given their nailbiting finishes.
Carlton has not been officially told they won’t play Friday night football but the league would be crazy to hand them even a single Friday game.
The Western Bulldogs received four Friday night games this year but will likely see that allocation drop next season.
Collingwood said it would not heavily lobby the AFL around Friday nights but would be happy to be rewarded.
The Pies are keen to secure a gate-sharing or rotational system with Melbourne over the lucrative Queen’s Birthday game but it might take another season to broker a deal.
The AFL has admitted to a series of fixturing blunders this year including Carlton’s Friday night schedule and a 3.20pm slot for the Dogs’ Ballarat clash against Port Adelaide.
It has also backed in Essendon for the Round 23 Friday night fixture against Port Adelaide, with the Dons playing three of the last four Friday night fixtures.
AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld told the Herald Sun last week there was more flexibility in next year’s schedule given several key issues.
Perth Stadium’s footbridge is now fully built so they can schedule Friday and Thursday night games at the venue.
Anzac Day is also played on a Thursday, which means the AFL can more quickly slot back Collingwood and Essendon into marquee slots after this year’s Wednesday clash.
Last year the AFL handed the Demons, GWS, Hawthorn and North Melbourne one Thursday or Friday night game each.
It has ruled out a flexible fixture or 17-5 model next year, keen for certainty in its AFL draw.
But handing the premier teams a better mix of Friday night games — and cutting out the also-rans — gives it a better chance of success.
Gold Coast Suns, Brisbane Lions and Fremantle all played no Thursday or Friday night games last year, with the Suns and Lions not expecting much of an increase in 2019.
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