Friday night double-headers, Dogs' prime-time reward in AFL fixture; De Koning out with larynx injury
In today's AFL Briefing, your wrap of footy news:
The Bulldogs have been rewarded with prime-time fixtures as the AFL released the schedule for all but the final round of the season.
Tom De Koning is sidelined for Friday night's clash at the SCG after suffering a knock to his larynx in Carlton's win over the Saints.
AFL releases fixture for back end of season
Brittany Busch
The AFL has handed the Western Bulldogs a prime-time boost with a spate of Thursday and Friday night games in the second half of the season, in a fixture that also includes three Friday night double-headers.
The schedule for rounds 16-23 dropped on Thursday, revealing big Friday night programs that the AFL said were aimed at 'maximising prime-time audience whilst also managing team travel and breaks between games'.
In round 17, traditional rivals Carlton and Collingwood will play at the MCG before West Coast host GWS in the first of the double-headers. It will be the first time this year two matches will be held on a Friday night, although Good Friday featured a twilight match in Melbourne followed by a late game in Perth.
The Western Bulldogs have been rewarded for their strong start to the season, scoring three Friday evening slots and two Thursdays.
And the Dogs' round 18 clash with Adelaide has been moved to Marvel Stadium after originally being slated for Ballarat's Mars Stadium, which is under construction. A paltry crowd of less than 5000 watched the Bulldogs thrash Port Adelaide in Ballarat in round eight, drawing a pointed sledge from ex-Bulldog Bailey Smith.
The AFL has also backed in finals hopefuls Essendon and Carlton with prominent night fixtures. The Blues, who are 10th on the ladder, have struggled to live up to pre-season expectations, while the Bombers are ninth and remain strong drawcards especially while they are in the finals hunt.
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