Richmond and Carlton unhappy with AFL round-one scheduling

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 03:50 · Archive

Richmond and Carlton expressed disappointment after the AFL scheduled their round-one game for 12.35pm on Saturday rather than its traditional Thursday night slot. The MCG is unavailable until Friday, March 20 because of cricket's 150th anniversary Test between Australia and England from March 11–15. The AFL's new round-one fixture instead opens with Sydney hosting Geelong on Wednesday and Fremantle playing the Western Bulldogs on Thursday. Friday night features Hawthorn against Brisbane Lions, a rematch of the preliminary final.

Richmond chief executive Shane Dunne said the club 'shares the disappointment' that the blockbuster 'won't be played in its traditional Thursday night time slot'. Since 2008, he noted, the fixture has attracted average crowds of over 80,000 and major television audiences. Dunne said the early start time 'creates barriers' for some fans to attend. Carlton also expressed dissatisfaction on its website, saying the game, as 'the traditional rival in the first round of the season', would have 'a different feel' to what supporters have experienced most years since 2008.

Dunne said the AFL had been clear that the change was 'solely due to the MCG's availability' and that it is 'a one-year arrangement'.

Richmond and Carlton unhappy with AFL round-one scheduling — Image: Perth Now

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How it is being reported

Tigers, Blues unhappy as AFL confirms round-one gamesRichmond and Carlton have made their feelings clear after the AFL confirmed they wouldn't be the first MCG game of the season.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 03:18
Tigers, Blues unhappy as AFL confirms round-one gamesRichmond and Carlton have made their feelings clear after the AFL confirmed they wouldn't be the first MCG game of the season.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 03:18

In this story: Richmond · Carlton · AFL · MCG · Shane Dunne · Sydney · Geelong · Fremantle

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