Hawthorn returns to prime time in 2020 AFL fixture
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett blew up at Hawthorn’s fixture last year. He should be much happier this time around after the Hawks received a TV-friendly fixture.
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Hawthorn has been handed a more financially-friendly fixture for 2020 in the wake of president Jeff Kennett’s fierce swipe at league chiefs last year.
The Hawks were today given a decent serving of prime time action with a pair of Friday night clashes against Melbourne and Geelong in Rounds 11 and 13 next season.
DRAW: SEE THE FULL 2020 FIXTURE
They will also host Collingwood at the MCG in a Round 3 blockbuster on Saturday afternoon, surely drawing a massive crowd and helping fill-up the Hawks’ coffers.
And there will be plenty at stake when the Hawks face Tasmania-linked rival North Melbourne in Launceston on a Saturday afternoon in Round 17.
The Hawks were filthy they were only given one Friday night home game and a swag of Sunday afternoon matches last year.
Kennett blasted the league, saying the off-Broadway fixture disrespected the club and would cost the Hawks $1 million.
“We feel the 2019 fixture does not entirely respect our great club, what it has done for the AFL and our success over the last 11 years,” Kennett said.
“We have only been allocated one Friday night home game and no Thursday night encounters.”
But the Hawks will be more pleased with the line-up for next year, despite having to wait almost three months for its first Friday night home game. The Hawks narrowly missed the finals last year with coach Alastair Clarkson beading his men a “middle of the road” side.
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But that could change next year after the Hawks nabbed spearhead and No. 1 draft pick Jon Patton in the trade period and will regain Brownlow Medalist Tom Mitchell for 2020.
The Hawks will also be under the spotlight on the Thursday night main stage in Rounds 15 (against Brisbane at the Gabba) and Round 16 (against Essendon at Marvel Stadium) but as the away team.
The club will be frustrated it was again given a home game at Marvel Stadium against Carlton on a Sunday afternoon in Round 5.
Originally published as Hawthorn returns to prime time in 2020 AFL fixture
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