AFL drops huge surprise for 2024 Gather Round draw

The AFL has quietly made some huge changes for the 2024 Gather Round with the league announcing the fixtures on Sunday.

Adelaide's Taylor Walker. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

The AFL has announced it will be taking two matches to the Adelaide hills during the 2024 Gather Round.

The move was one of several surprises as the league announced the official fixtures for the second Gather Round, to be held from April 4 through to April 7.

The inaugural round was a smash hit in 2023, prompting a snap agreement between former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas to stage the event in South Australia again in 2024.

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The league on Sunday has now announced exactly what the round will look like, headlined by the Crows kicking off the event with a Thursday night blockbuster against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide's Taylor Walker kicks a goal during the AFL Gather Round. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

The Crows put Carlton to the sword in 2023. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

Hopes of taking a game to the iconic Barossa Valley wine region fell apart earlier this year, prompting the league to turn back towards the sole game played in Mt Barker in 2023.

The AFL will next year play two fixtures at the country football ground, featuring Sydney, West Coast, Gold Coast and GWS.

It was so nice, we had to do it twice 🔁

Gather Round in South Australia, round four, 2024: https://t.co/zpq9akrEuIpic.twitter.com/nP2eKR3J18

— AFL (@AFL) November 12, 2023

Other notable details about the round include two matches being played at Norwood Oval and a Saturday double-header at Adelaide Oval.

The home teams for Gather Round will be confirmed when the full fixture is released later this week.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said in a statement: “Gather Round 2023 created a small slice of football history – all 18 clubs in the one state at the one time for a full round of nine matches and a celebration of footy.

Brisbane v North Melbourne at Mount Barker Oval. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

“South Australia really turned it on, and we are excited to bring fans a bigger and better experience in 2024.

“On behalf of the AFL I want to thank the SA government, led by Premier Malinauskas, who committed whole-heartedly to the success of the concept, and we will work together with his team to deliver a fantastic few days in the state.

“Last year’s Gather Round had the wonderful feel of a Grand Final week, from the footy festival and the zip line over the Torrens River, to the community engagement activities and all the open training sessions the clubs held around the town, it was just an incredibly fun atmosphere which we are looking to top next season.”