AFL 2020 fixture: What a dream Round 2 draw could look like

Creating an AFL fixture is never easy, now there are a whole new list of challenges. But the footy restart creates an opportunity for the biggest blockbuster round of all time. Here’s our suggested draw.

Jon Ralph and Al Paton

2 min read

May 21, 2020 - 1:19PM

Richmond’s Dustin Martin. Pic: Michael Klein

AFL

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Fixture boss Travis Auld has one advantage from the hellish task of constructing a draw by Monday — the ultimate rolling fixture.

As he attempts to put together a fixture aware he doesn’t even know whether Port Adelaide and Adelaide will need Gold Coast hubs in Round 3, he faces immense challenges.

But the upside is the biggest blockbuster fixture the AFL has ever seen.

Auld will release the fixture in four-week blocks from this Monday, aware he can slot in the very best and in-form teams from the most up-to-date ladder positions.

No Carlton stinking it up on Friday night when handed a suite of blockbuster clashes the previous October, only to disappoint again.

No Essendon being handed an amazing prime time fixture then stumbling out of the blocks again.

If those two teams perform, they get handed what they deserve — games in marquee slots on Thursday and Friday nights.

If not, he has the flexibility every four weeks to assess their progress.

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Don’t argue with slotting in the Tigers and Magpies for Thursday night.

He also has the ultimate reason to rewards sexy, high-scoring teams in the best slots — the cash-strapped broadcasters who are trying to recoup $400m of value from the season will demand it.

Figuring out the Round 2 schedule is the first piece of the puzzle. The AFL is likely to drip feed its biggest games in the prime time slots over the first month, but if they wanted to restart 2020 with a huge bang, here’s what the next round could look like.

POSSIBLE ROUND 2 FIXTURE

THURSDAY NIGHT

Collingwood v Richmond (MCG)

You can just about take this one to the bank. The Pies and Tigers were scheduled to play on the Thursday night of Round 2 when the original fixture was released and every indication is it will stay there. The perfect blockbuster to welcome footy back.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Adelaide v Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)

Changes this week to training rules in SA mean the two Adelaide clubs can stay home and train for the next three weeks. Why not play against each other as well? Only issue here is Channel 7 likes teams from different states on Friday nights to maximise audiences.

Rory Sloane and Brad Ebert in another epic Showdown clash. Picture: Sarah Reed

SATURDAY

Carlton v St Kilda (MCG)

North Melbourne v Melbourne (Marvel)

SATURDAY NIGHT

Sydney v Essendon (SCG)

GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs (Giants Stadium)

The Blues’ green shoots were on full display against the Saints in a Round 22 cracker last season, which they won by 10 points. How about a rematch, Ratts? The Bombers and Dogs could get on the same plane to Sydney to face the Swans in the Joe Daniher Cup and the latest round in one of the game’s great modern rivalries. Get the feeling Toby Greene won’t care if there is no one in the stands.

Matt de Boer and Marcus Bontempelli could renew their rivalry. Picture: Phil Hillyard

SUNDAY

Hawthorn v Geelong (MCG)

Brisbane Lions v West Coast (Gabba)

Gold Coast v Fremantle (Metricon Stadium)

They missed out on Easter Monday but the Hawks v Cats always deliver. Then it’s a Queensland hub-fest with the Lions and Suns hosting two WA teams who will be staying at a nearby resort. Lions v Eagles is second v fifth from last year and good luck tipping a winner in the final game of the round.