Richmond wants Friday night games next year after none in 2017

FINALS-bound Richmond was banished from the Friday night spotlight this year but after a successful season the Tigers say they are worthy of the prime broadcasting slot.

JON RALPH

less than 2 min read

August 17, 2017 - 8:57PM

Richmond in the second most watched team on Fox Footy for Fridays and Saturdays. Picture: Getty Images

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FINALS-bound Richmond says it deserves a big slice of the Friday night spotlight next year after being banished from the marquee slot this season.

The Tigers had no Friday night fixtures, but chief executive Brendon Gale said they were worthy of the prime broadcasting slot.

The league has made it clear to clubs that it only wants high-rating teams who are capable of playing attractive footy.

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Richmond has turned itself into an off-field power, third in AFL membership and a clear first in home attendances (54,644 a game).

It also plays an attractive brand of football with more than a hint of drama, after featuring in seven games decided by fewer than 20 points this year.

The Tigers are the No.2-rating team on Fox Footy on Fridays and Saturdays, averaging 213,000 viewers; behind only Collingwood (220,000).

Dustin Martin and Richmond played no Friday night games in 2017. Picture: AAP

Gale said the Tigers hoped their successful home-and-away season would be rewarded next year.

“We have rated extremely well in the past few years, and it was disappointing, off the back of last year, to be handed a challenging fixture in that respect,’’ he told the Herald Sun.

“So in light of this year, we have played good footy and have some wonderful players.

“And we would like to showcase our team with as many fans and members watching us play live on TV.”

Marketing company Repucom last year judged Friday night footy three times as valuable in terms of exposure for club sponsors as a Saturday night match.

Richmond had two Thursday night clashes this year, but joined the Brisbane Lions, Fremantle and Gold Coast with no Friday night games.

Sydney had eight Friday night games; the Western Bulldogs six; Adelaide five; Geelong and St Kilda four; Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn three; and Collingwood and Essendon two.

Melbourne would push strongly for more prime-time exposure, given its encouraging season, with Collingwood’s ratings also giving it reason to push for more Fridays.

Carlton and North Melbourne are unlikely to receive any more exposure, given both teams will finish bottom four again this year.

Gale confirmed the Tigers would push to play Melbourne on the Tuesday night before Anzac Day next year, after three successful years of the Anzac eve clash.