More MCG and 100-year celebrations: Clubs jostle for more in AFL 2025 fixture requests

More clubs want more games at the MCG next year and three teams are plotting once-in-a-century moments in 2025. See what fixture requests are coming the AFL’s way.

A trio of clubs are planning marquee centenary celebrations as fixture requests continue to come in for more MCG games in 2025.

The AFL has taken in fixture requests from teams across the league and will soon begin piecing together the slate for next year.

Hawthorn, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs all entered the then-VFL in 1925 are planning to honour the century since with high-profile matches.

North Melbourne hopes to stage a marquee clash at Marvel Stadium against a Melbourne-based club.

The Roos are hoping for a major event to honour 100-years of being in the league. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Unlike clubs who have gone to the MCG for celebration games in past years, the Roos chose to stick with their genuine home ground.

Hawthorn is planning its 100-year celebration game at the MCG within the opening five rounds of the season, against a high-profile opponent.

The Dogs are working through a similar big game.

The Hawks have also asked to host Essendon in what is becoming a traditional round 1 clash, with the past two equivalent clashes averaging just over 70,000 in daylight slots.

Both clubs are hoping to enshrine that as an annual meeting, even with Hawthorn looming as the most likely side to be drafted into opening round in 2025.

The Dons and Hawks fight it out in round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

All sides that played in opening round this year played in round 1, so playing on the first weekend of the season shouldn’t impact the Hawthorn-Essendon clash.

The red-hot Hawks are fully expecting to be locked back into prime time in 2025 after being shunned in past fixtures.

Hawthorn has not hosted a Friday night home-and-away game since before the pandemic – round 17, 2019.

“We look forward to being back on the big stage and playing in prime time in 2025,” Hawks president Andy Gowers said at the club best-and-fairest on Saturday.

Essendon, along with Carlton, is hoping to add an MCG game to its home slate and shed a Marvel Stadium match.

An original tenant of Docklands, the Bombers have requested to change their split from 4-7 games at MCG and Marvel Stadium, to 5-6.

The Cats want more GMHBA Stadium.

Carlton also went on record this year in asking for a swap, with the Blues hoping to play six of their 11 home games in the open at the ‘G.

The AFL would have to give up matches at its own stadium that would normally be well attended to fulfil the requests of the Blues and Bombers.

Geelong is a rare club that wants less MCG matches.

The Cats have played two home games at the ‘G in recent seasons – this year Geelong hosted Carlton and Essendon there – but want to shed one and play an extra game at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong put in that request recently, which would likely leave its sole Melbourne home game on Easter Monday against Hawthorn.

The Saints and Pies met at the MCG in round 2 this year. Picture: Michael Klein

The last time Geelong played 10 games at Kardinia Park in a season was back in 1996.

St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena spoke this year about wanting extra home games at the MCG in the future.

In the past two seasons the Saints have hosted twice at the ‘G, against Essendon and Collingwood.

The latter was ‘Spud’s Game’ this year – in honour of the late Danny Frawley.

Clubs fill out a form in which they can put in three official requests, as well as any additional notes.

Generally the clubs set to host games make the requests, for example the Hawks are due to host the Dons in their round 1 meeting, so the Hawks would make that request.

Originally published as More MCG and 100-year celebrations: Clubs jostle for more in AFL 2025 fixture requests