The AFL Fixture Challenges
The Australian Football League (AFL) has seen a number of changes to its calendar in recent years, with the introduction of the Opening Round and Gather Round. These additions have had a significant impact on the overall structure of the season. As a result, the fixture has faced some challenges, leading to concerns from within the football community.
On the Six Points AFL podcast, Mark Stevens described the current situation as “a disaster.” He expressed his frustration with the way the schedule has been arranged, particularly highlighting the early byes that have occurred in the first four weeks of the season. This has led to some unusual gaps between games for certain teams, creating an unpredictable environment for both players and fans.
Collingwood’s Home Game Dilemma
One of the most notable examples of this issue is Collingwood, a club with a massive fan base. Fans of the team are currently missing out on seeing their team play at home for an extended period. The last home game at the MCG for Collingwood was on March 14 against Adelaide, and they will not return to the MCG until April 30, when they face Hawthorn.
This six-week gap between home games at the MCG has raised eyebrows among fans and media alike. Stevens mentioned that he recently met with the head of media at Collingwood to discuss the challenges of promoting games during this time. He pointed out that the MCG is considered the cornerstone of football, often referred to as the “holy grail” of the sport.
Impact on Fan Engagement
Stevens emphasized the significance of having games at the MCG, which is not just a venue but a major event for fans. He noted that the six-week break between home games is causing concern among the club’s supporters.
“Collingwood is the showcase, so people there are trying to promote, get people up and about, get their social club moving, get everything working… let’s have a six-week break before we play a home game at the MCG, that is madness,” he said.
This situation has created a challenge for the club in terms of maintaining fan engagement and ensuring that the excitement around the team remains high throughout the season.
Upcoming Games
Despite these challenges, Collingwood is set to play in the Gather Round this weekend. They will take on Fremantle in Adelaide on Friday night. This match is an opportunity for the team to showcase their skills and regain momentum after the long gap between home games.
Fans can watch the Six Points with Harf and Stevo podcast on the player above or head to the Zero Hanger YouTube channel. Alternatively, they can listen to the podcast wherever they get their podcasts.
