By Peter Ryan
Clubs are expected to fiercely debate the “opening round” format at a CEOs meeting to be held in Perth days after round 18 with two Victorian clubs indicating they want the load spread competition-wide if the 2024 format is to be replicated.
Carlton CEO Brian Cook told this masthead that if “round zero is repeated in NSW and Queensland [in 2025] there should be a rotation of their opponents each year”.
Carlton were the only Victorian team to record a win in opening round.Credit: Getty Images
A senior source at another club involved last year, who preferred to remain anonymous until details were revealed, indicated they only wanted to take part if the travel arrangements were fairer than they had been in 2024.
Melbourne, Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond were the Victorian clubs who played in opening round this season, with the Blues the only travelling team to return with a win. The rest of the competition had a “bye” before all 18 clubs played in round one.
Clubs are yet to receive details on what the AFL has planned for 2025 but sources from three Victorian clubs, who preferred to remain anonymous ahead of the meeting, said they anticipated a repeat of this year’s format – four matches played in NSW and Queensland pitting big-drawing clubs against Sydney, the Giants, Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions.
Although clubs broadly supported the idea to give the game a boost in non-traditional markets, they want the issues that arose as a result of this year’s opening round to be addressed as many clubs felt it created an uneven start to the season.
Collingwood had a six-day break after travelling to play the Giants in “round zero”, drawn to play Sydney in round one at the MCG. The Swans had an eight-day break ahead of that game. Collingwood lost both matches and did not play a game in Victoria between rounds two and five.
Opening round kicked off with a full house at the SCG when the Swans played Melbourne.Credit: Getty
Richmond had a five-day break, one day fewer than Carlton, leading into their traditional round one fixture against the Blues at the MCG after both teams had travelled to Queensland.
Several officials at clubs have also admitted privately that they felt rushed preparing for opening round, which kicked off on March 7 with the four preliminary final teams and six of the eight finalists from 2023 taking part in the round.
Blues coach Michael Voss told reporters after they defeated Richmond in round one that the club had needed to adjust its preparation due to the early season bye.
The allocation of byes has also caused consternation, with the eight clubs who played in opening round having two mid-season byes this year.
Although nothing is locked in, club officials told this masthead the league was discussing whether to launch the next AFL season, held in Sydney this year, in NSW or Queensland.
Immediately after opening round, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the concept had been an unqualified success with sellout crowds and increased membership sales for northern-based clubs. However, he promised to review the concept.
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