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Fallen giants Carlton and Essendon have been bumped out of Thursday and Friday night footy as the AFL rewards the competition’s genuine contenders over the failing powerhouses in the latest fixture release.
Ladder leader Sydney, back-to-back premiers Brisbane and perennial finalists Geelong all feature on the coveted prime-time free to air TV slots in the league’s schedule from rounds 16-22.
Even Fremantle and the pioneers of night football North Melbourne have been given the nod ahead of the Blues and Bombers.
The AFL has learned the lessons from last year’s fixture misjudgment by turning its back on the under-performing giants, neither of whom have been given Thursday and Friday prime-time games.
Not even the Blues’ match-up with arch-rival Collingwood was enough for the league to expose them to the prized timeslots.
They have been given six matches on Saturdays, which means their supporters will need to sign up to pay TV to see their team on the big screen, though return to prime time on a Sunday night against St Kilda in the special Spud’s Game raising mental health awareness.
The Bombers have also been brushed from prime, becoming Sunday specialists with five matches on that day, including three in the graveyard 4.40 pm start.
The AFL is backing in the box office appeal of the Swans by handing them four Thursday and Friday night matches, including the opening game of round 16 against the Lions.
The Showdown, arguably the league’s biggest rivalry, has been given its own time slot but not on a Thursday or Friday night, instead scheduled as the only Saturday night game in round 16. The league has given Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney the Friday night match in that round.
Highlighting head office’s faith in non-Victorian clubs, Fremantle and the Swans will kick off proceedings in round 18 in a game that could go a long way towards deciding which of those clubs snares a crucial top-two finish. This is one of three Thursday and Friday night games featuring two clubs outside of Victoria.
The Lions have also been recognised for their continued excellence with three prime-time games, against fellow flag contenders Sydney, Geelong and Hawthorn.
The Kangaroos, who made Friday night football their own in the 1980s and ’90s, play Collingwood in their first standalone game in that time slot since 2019, in a move that recognises North’s rise out of the doldrums.
Alastair Clarkson’s men also have a round 22 Thursday night clash against the Western Bulldogs, which could be pivotal in deciding a finals berth.
Richmond’s mighty tumble has been underlined with just one match on free to air, against Melbourne on the Sunday of round 18.
There are two Friday night double-headers, in rounds 17 and 20, the latter involving the Western Derby.
The AFL is holding off on its scheduling for rounds 23 and 24.
