AFL news: Carlton and Collingwood set to reap rewards in next block of fixtures

The AFL will release its fixture for rounds 16-23 in the next fortnight. See which big Victorian clubs will be rewarded and who is set to be a loser when it comes to marquee games.

Patrick Cripps chases Josh Daicos. Picture: Michael Klein

Carlton and Collingwood are set to reap the rewards of their drawing power and hot early-season form as the league releases rounds 16-23 in the next fortnight.

The league has committed to finalising those rounds well ahead of round 16 to lock in dates and times for rounds that have already been allocated match-ups.

AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld told the Herald Sun the league was keen to give fans clarity six weeks ahead of time and would release them before round 10.

But the league will leave open the round 24 floating fixture then lock it in several weeks ahead of time to ensure a blockbuster finish to the home-and-away season.

The Blues and Pies are proven to draw massive crowds and attract big ratings but also have a list of marquee contests that the league is likely to turn into Thursday and Friday night contests.

Carlton already has seven Thursday or Friday games to round 15 and takes on Port Adelaide (round 18), Collingwood (round 20), St Kilda (round 21) and Melbourne (round 22).

The Pies and Blues are set to be the fixture winners. Picture: Michael Klein

Collingwood has three Thursday or Friday games to round 15 as well as Anzac Day and the King’s Birthday game and takes on the Western Bulldogs (round 17), Port Adelaide (round 19), Carlton (round 20), Geelong (round 22), Brisbane (round 23) and Essendon (round 24).

The Pies not only play captivating football, their run of tight victories as they reel in opponents makes for perfect ratings fodder as the audience retains interest throughout an entire game to see the drama unfolding.

Collingwood’s Anzac Day ratings were immense, drawing an average of 949,000 viewers on Channel 7, while Carlton’s Friday night clashes have drawn excellent ratings numbers on Fox Footy and Seven.

Richmond is likely to be a loser in marquee fixturing given their poor start to the season, while St Kilda and Melbourne can also expect to be rewarded given they should remain in finals contention.

The league has the fixturing flexibility to schedule Thursday night footy every week but remains reluctant to schedule more games before the 2025 season, when the first 15 rounds will have Thursday footy.

The league is adamant Thursday night footy is a marquee slot that requires strong match-ups given how critical tight, attractive games are for the momentum of any given round.

The AFLPA has agreed to allow two five day breaks for every side - one each side of the mid-season bye - from 2023 onwards.

Collingwood players celebrate a goal against the Crows last week. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But players still have some concerns about playing multiple five day breaks in the season given injury concerns

AFL chief executive elect Andrew Dillon would not commit to more Thursday games next year this week.

The league is no certainty to schedule Thursday night footy every round from 2025 onwards because teams fall out of finals contention from round 15 onwards and it is harder to find marquee match-ups for Thursday and Friday night footy.

“I think that comes in in the new broadcast deal in ‘25,” Dillon said of the 15 Thursday nights.

“What we will look to do next year is get the balance right between Thursday nights, Fridays and making sure if we are going to have Fridays in prime time we can get the good teams playing and the right teams playing in those slots. That is as important as anything.”

Originally published as AFL news: Carlton and Collingwood set to reap rewards in next block of fixtures