AFL round 24 fixture: ‘Super Sunday’ games set to decide finals spots
The AFL has locked in its round 24 schedule, which it says could open the door for less fixture clashes in coming seasons in what would be a huge win for supporters.
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AFL boss Andrew Dillon has hinted that the lack of overlap in round 24’s super Sunday could be a sign of things to come in next future fixtures.
The incredibly tight home-and-away season will climax on August 25, when the Western Bulldogs host rivals GWS Giants in Ballarat, Carlton and St Kilda to battle at Marvel Stadium and Fremantle and Port Adelaide close the season in a game that could decide top four and top eight spots in Perth.
The AFL has staggered the three clashes, with the Ballarat game starting at 12.30pm, the Blues-Saints kicking off at 3.20pm and the Perth clash beginning at 6.10pm AEST.
That allows each game clear air without overlap, a bugbear of footy fans for years, particularly with three games on Sundays.
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For example this weekend, Carlton and Hawthorn’s early 1.10pm Sunday game will bleed into the 3.20pm start when Richmond takes on St Kilda.
And most of the second half of that game will collide with the twilight clash of Adelaide hosting the Western Bulldogs.
Dillon said broadcasters often sway the fixture but the league has now started to aim to separate matches wherever possible.
“Where we can get games into their own spots is great, but there are other requirements,” he said.
“But where we can do it we will do that going forward.”
The AFL went all-in on maximising the final round in its fixture announced on Wednesday, after league fixture whiz Josh Bowler spent several weeks attempting to predict what the ladder would look like heading into round 24.
Melbourne and Collingwood both hold slim finals hopes but will meet on Friday night at the MCG to kick off the round.
Essendon’s trip to Brisbane looms as the Saturday game of most consequence and will be played on Saturday night at the Gabba.
Geelong hosts West Coast early on Saturday, Dustin Martin’s final farewell to Richmond fans will be staged at 2.10pm against Gold Coast.
Alastair Clarkson will hope to ruin Hawthorn’s finals dream when his North Melbourne meets the Hawks in Launceston at 4.35pm and Sydney will face Adelaide in the second night match.
For all Victorian games, children under 14 will be granted free entry after the AFL and Victorian government joined together to throw out a cost-of-living gift to the fans before finals.
“We’re absolutely conscious of how tough it is for people at the moment,” Dillon said.
“I don’t think there is any entertainment that is better value for money than coming to an AFL game.”
Originally published as AFL round 24 fixture: ‘Super Sunday’ games set to decide finals spots
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