Latest news with #non-Victorian
West Australian
8 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
Mick Malthouse: New AFL appointments Greg Swann & Tom Harley will benefit West Coast Eagles & Fremantle
The AFL has made massive moves this week by appointing Greg Swann to executive general manager of football performance and — in all probability — Tom Harley to chief operating officer. These will be highly positive selections, particularly for West Coast and Fremantle. Both men are admired in the football industry for what they have achieved in their previous roles, and the way they go about things. They each have experience with at least two AFL clubs, and they have both been involved in AFL premierships — one as a player and one as an administrator. But perhaps their greatest asset as far as non-Victorian clubs go, is that they know how football clubs operate outside of the traditional football state. They know, because at Brisbane and Sydney they have experienced the pitfalls, the angst, the travel and the non-sensical fixturing for interstate clubs. Yes, NSW is just over an hour's flight away from Melbourne and Queensland is two-and-a-half hours away and during winter both states are in the same time zone as Victoria. It's not the four-plus hours of travel and a two-hour time difference that the West Aussie clubs deal with, however, it's enough for Swann and Harley to have a sympathetic ear and a supportive voice for the non-Victorian clubs within the walls of the AFL and that's a positive for the Dockers and the Eagles. Harley's potential move to basically become Andrew Dillon's second is not really a surprise. He was Geelong's premiership captain in 2007 and 2009 and CEO of Sydney for their recent grand final losses. Knowing what it's like to win and lose is important, because it's not all beer and skittles. I have worked with Tom in the media and found him to be honest, knowledgeable, and a good listener. All great qualities for an AFL executive. Swann and I started at Collingwood together. The club was virtually broke, had low membership numbers and hadn't played finals for a record number of years. Greg came from a major accounting firm with high job security and an international bias. My initial thoughts were, why him? Until I quickly realised he was a football fanatic and not scared to get his hands dirty. He turned the club and its finances around very quickly. Years later, Greg was the person who convinced me to go to Carlton, as he had started to do the same thing for the Blues. Little did I realise that his tenure would end too quickly for me to establish myself at Carlton as he answered an S.O.S. call from the AFL to move North and take on a very challenging job as CEO of the Brisbane Lions. No doubt his highlight there would be last year's premiership. As surprised as I was to hear of his appointment at the AFL, I also wasn't surprised. It makes total sense, actually. Greg, by his own admission, loves the football side of the job even more so than the administrative side. He would spend hours with me at Collingwood and Carlton talking about the game and where we stood. So his new role as football performance boss, is tailor made for him. He is well regarded within the football community and would have no worries in walking through the front door of AFL House and being accepted immediately. There is no doubt he will have strong views on the laws of the game and other such things and won't hesitate to make recommendations to club bosses to improve their lot. For the non-Victorian clubs, he will be an ally. And it's about time too.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The true cost of the AFL abandoning free-to-air Saturdays in its $4.5 billion TV deal
As an AFL headline, it was one of the more impressive as Gillon McLachlan moved towards the conclusion of his 11-year stewardship of Australian rules football: A whopping and legacy-sealing $4.5 billion seven-year broadcast rights deal worth an extra $70 million annually to the game until the end of 2031. McLachlan and his team had managed to stick with what they knew in the game's media partner for the best part of more than three-quarters of a century, Channel Seven, along with its long-time pay TV partner Foxtel and Telstra, rejecting a $6 billion, 10-year offer from Paramount Plus. The players would be richer, the clubs would be safer and AFLW and all the game's markets would be developed and expanded. And the fans would never be better off. The McLachlan announcement came at the start of the 2022 finals series, but the deal did not kick in until he was long gone at the start of 2025 season. Nor did the hidden nasties: Notably the fact that the AFL had chosen for the first time to charge its supporters to watch the football on its most traditional day, and to place every game on a Saturday behind a paywall. Not one non-Victorian club of the six contacted by this masthead is happy with the new deal. At least four are deeply concerned about the changes the new deal has forced upon the fixture and the loss of audiences on a Saturday. Generally the clubs based in Sydney and southern Queensland believe the removal of Saturday night football from Channel Seven has handed the NRL a costly free kick. Loading Media and club bosses unwilling to be quoted on numbers for fear of antagonising head office say that the loss of the free-to-air Saturday night game has cost the AFL conservatively 400,000 viewers each week – even allowing for the boosted Fox Footy rating and the estimated uplift in subscriptions of 100,000. While it is true that Seven is more than making up the numbers with Thursday night football across each round and with the new and semi-regular Sunday night games, the decision to turn its back on a regular Saturday night free-to-air audience smacks of an own goal by the competition.
The Age
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
The true cost of the AFL abandoning free-to-air Saturdays in its $4.5 billion TV deal
As an AFL headline, it was one of the more impressive as Gillon McLachlan moved towards the conclusion of his 11-year stewardship of Australian rules football: A whopping and legacy-sealing $4.5 billion seven-year broadcast rights deal worth an extra $70 million annually to the game until the end of 2031. McLachlan and his team had managed to stick with what they knew in the game's media partner for the best part of more than three-quarters of a century, Channel Seven, along with its long-time pay TV partner Foxtel and Telstra, rejecting a $6 billion, 10-year offer from Paramount Plus. The players would be richer, the clubs would be safer and AFLW and all the game's markets would be developed and expanded. And the fans would never be better off. The McLachlan announcement came at the start of the 2022 finals series, but the deal did not kick in until he was long gone at the start of 2025 season. Nor did the hidden nasties: Notably the fact that the AFL had chosen for the first time to charge its supporters to watch the football on its most traditional day, and to place every game on a Saturday behind a paywall. Not one non-Victorian club of the six contacted by this masthead is happy with the new deal. At least four are deeply concerned about the changes the new deal has forced upon the fixture and the loss of audiences on a Saturday. Generally the clubs based in Sydney and southern Queensland believe the removal of Saturday night football from Channel Seven has handed the NRL a costly free kick. Loading Media and club bosses unwilling to be quoted on numbers for fear of antagonising head office say that the loss of the free-to-air Saturday night game has cost the AFL conservatively 400,000 viewers each week – even allowing for the boosted Fox Footy rating and the estimated uplift in subscriptions of 100,000. While it is true that Seven is more than making up the numbers with Thursday night football across each round and with the new and semi-regular Sunday night games, the decision to turn its back on a regular Saturday night free-to-air audience smacks of an own goal by the competition.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Angry AFL fans: Is the supporter base as volatile as it's ever been?
Football fans are seldom, if ever, a very happy bunch. The main reason is obvious, really. For those for whom everything is going swimmingly (meaning their team is winning), there's a far, far bigger group whose sides are doing it tough, or at best struggling along. That's always been the case, of course. But when you throw in some general dissatisfaction with how the game is being run, it can be a pretty angry mix. And right now, it feels like AFL football's fan base is as volatile as it's ever been. I'm usually a bit sceptical about the "game is in a mess" crowd, for a number of reasons, mainly that given the size of the business these days and the continual issues emerging, the AFL usually manages to at least get the job done reasonably competently. But lately, I'm not so sure. And if you want the most recent examples of discontent, the past few weeks have provided plenty. Certainly, media discontent, anyway, the loudest public foghorns in the game are ropeable about misleading communications out of head office from football operations boss Laura Kane on the matter of Collingwood player Lachie Schultz's concussion, and a lack of due diligence and diplomacy surrounding Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli's various indiscretions. But it's the fan discontent which could in the long run do the game more damage, and there's no doubt that is being fanned not only by the incessant reporting of mistakes and cock-ups, but that of the increasing frustration and dissatisfaction of AFL clubs with the administration, simply increasing the sense of "us versus them" in virtually any debate about the code. And what amplifies that further is when the regular punters are themselves directly exposed to the sort of arrogant, high-handed lack of consideration that the clubs are now complaining about. Fans are far more used to that, of course, a point of which I was reminded last Saturday at the Collingwood-Adelaide game as I, along with scores of other bedraggled, wet, rain-soaked spectators, briefly got out of the drizzle at half-time for some desperately needed hot food, only to queue for an inordinate amount of time at a food stall inadequately staffed, and as usual, exorbitantly-priced. Saturday in Melbourne was pretty dismal weather-wise, and given that backdrop, and the fact a non-Victorian team was playing, the turnout of 67,697, the most for a Pies-Crows home-and-away game and second overall only to the 2002 preliminary final, was quite remarkable. Does the fact crowds continue to rise, though, give the AFL a false sense of security about how in love with the product the fan base really is? Or does every new insult or indifference to the football lover act as just another little straw added to the weight on the camel's back, perhaps set to break when least expected after just one too many impositions on supporter patience? Another one of those issues causing a creeping sense of anger among diehard football fans is the fact Saturdays in Victoria are now the exclusive domain of Fox Footy, Channel 7 having shifted its live broadcasting commitment to Thursday night along with Friday night and Sunday afternoon. MORE AFL NEWS We've had some cracking Saturday football already this season, but they are games which for those unable to afford a Fox Footy or Kayo subscription, remain inaccessible, and now thanks to the latest broadcasting rights agreement, will be so for at least the next seven years. That was a hugely significant line in the sand in terms of a game which has always prided itself on its egalitarianism and availability to everyone. And yet it was snuck through almost by stealth, the fact not dawning on most until we arrived at the actual start of this season. The AFL could have argued a case, it could have explained its reasoning, it could have helped prepare the fan base for the change, but it did none of that. Instead, the lack of Saturday free-to-air coverage has become just another of those festering wounds with football fans, talked about in the outer at games and in pub bars, but seldom given a moment's thought or discussion by mainstream media, because those in that sphere are themselves unaffected. Then throw in the usual grumbles about the standard of umpiring, the inconsistency of Match Review Officer and AF Tribunal decisions, and the inadequacy of technology in decision-making more than a decade after its introduction, and you have what feels like an entire constituency at times following the game almost with an air of resentment more than excitement. Will the AFL at some stage stick its collective head out from the bunker and take note? On current trends you'd think it was unlikely. But it is a growing tide it will ignore at its own peril. Because when that anger turns instead to battle-weary apathy, not only will those impressive crowds potentially dwindle in the blink of an eye, as has happened in other Australian sporting leagues, but the game will have kick-started an exodus which might not ever be stemmed. Football fans are seldom, if ever, a very happy bunch. The main reason is obvious, really. For those for whom everything is going swimmingly (meaning their team is winning), there's a far, far bigger group whose sides are doing it tough, or at best struggling along. That's always been the case, of course. But when you throw in some general dissatisfaction with how the game is being run, it can be a pretty angry mix. And right now, it feels like AFL football's fan base is as volatile as it's ever been. I'm usually a bit sceptical about the "game is in a mess" crowd, for a number of reasons, mainly that given the size of the business these days and the continual issues emerging, the AFL usually manages to at least get the job done reasonably competently. But lately, I'm not so sure. And if you want the most recent examples of discontent, the past few weeks have provided plenty. Certainly, media discontent, anyway, the loudest public foghorns in the game are ropeable about misleading communications out of head office from football operations boss Laura Kane on the matter of Collingwood player Lachie Schultz's concussion, and a lack of due diligence and diplomacy surrounding Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli's various indiscretions. But it's the fan discontent which could in the long run do the game more damage, and there's no doubt that is being fanned not only by the incessant reporting of mistakes and cock-ups, but that of the increasing frustration and dissatisfaction of AFL clubs with the administration, simply increasing the sense of "us versus them" in virtually any debate about the code. And what amplifies that further is when the regular punters are themselves directly exposed to the sort of arrogant, high-handed lack of consideration that the clubs are now complaining about. Fans are far more used to that, of course, a point of which I was reminded last Saturday at the Collingwood-Adelaide game as I, along with scores of other bedraggled, wet, rain-soaked spectators, briefly got out of the drizzle at half-time for some desperately needed hot food, only to queue for an inordinate amount of time at a food stall inadequately staffed, and as usual, exorbitantly-priced. Saturday in Melbourne was pretty dismal weather-wise, and given that backdrop, and the fact a non-Victorian team was playing, the turnout of 67,697, the most for a Pies-Crows home-and-away game and second overall only to the 2002 preliminary final, was quite remarkable. Does the fact crowds continue to rise, though, give the AFL a false sense of security about how in love with the product the fan base really is? Or does every new insult or indifference to the football lover act as just another little straw added to the weight on the camel's back, perhaps set to break when least expected after just one too many impositions on supporter patience? Another one of those issues causing a creeping sense of anger among diehard football fans is the fact Saturdays in Victoria are now the exclusive domain of Fox Footy, Channel 7 having shifted its live broadcasting commitment to Thursday night along with Friday night and Sunday afternoon. MORE AFL NEWS We've had some cracking Saturday football already this season, but they are games which for those unable to afford a Fox Footy or Kayo subscription, remain inaccessible, and now thanks to the latest broadcasting rights agreement, will be so for at least the next seven years. That was a hugely significant line in the sand in terms of a game which has always prided itself on its egalitarianism and availability to everyone. And yet it was snuck through almost by stealth, the fact not dawning on most until we arrived at the actual start of this season. The AFL could have argued a case, it could have explained its reasoning, it could have helped prepare the fan base for the change, but it did none of that. Instead, the lack of Saturday free-to-air coverage has become just another of those festering wounds with football fans, talked about in the outer at games and in pub bars, but seldom given a moment's thought or discussion by mainstream media, because those in that sphere are themselves unaffected. Then throw in the usual grumbles about the standard of umpiring, the inconsistency of Match Review Officer and AF Tribunal decisions, and the inadequacy of technology in decision-making more than a decade after its introduction, and you have what feels like an entire constituency at times following the game almost with an air of resentment more than excitement. Will the AFL at some stage stick its collective head out from the bunker and take note? On current trends you'd think it was unlikely. But it is a growing tide it will ignore at its own peril. Because when that anger turns instead to battle-weary apathy, not only will those impressive crowds potentially dwindle in the blink of an eye, as has happened in other Australian sporting leagues, but the game will have kick-started an exodus which might not ever be stemmed. Football fans are seldom, if ever, a very happy bunch. The main reason is obvious, really. For those for whom everything is going swimmingly (meaning their team is winning), there's a far, far bigger group whose sides are doing it tough, or at best struggling along. That's always been the case, of course. But when you throw in some general dissatisfaction with how the game is being run, it can be a pretty angry mix. And right now, it feels like AFL football's fan base is as volatile as it's ever been. I'm usually a bit sceptical about the "game is in a mess" crowd, for a number of reasons, mainly that given the size of the business these days and the continual issues emerging, the AFL usually manages to at least get the job done reasonably competently. But lately, I'm not so sure. And if you want the most recent examples of discontent, the past few weeks have provided plenty. Certainly, media discontent, anyway, the loudest public foghorns in the game are ropeable about misleading communications out of head office from football operations boss Laura Kane on the matter of Collingwood player Lachie Schultz's concussion, and a lack of due diligence and diplomacy surrounding Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli's various indiscretions. But it's the fan discontent which could in the long run do the game more damage, and there's no doubt that is being fanned not only by the incessant reporting of mistakes and cock-ups, but that of the increasing frustration and dissatisfaction of AFL clubs with the administration, simply increasing the sense of "us versus them" in virtually any debate about the code. And what amplifies that further is when the regular punters are themselves directly exposed to the sort of arrogant, high-handed lack of consideration that the clubs are now complaining about. Fans are far more used to that, of course, a point of which I was reminded last Saturday at the Collingwood-Adelaide game as I, along with scores of other bedraggled, wet, rain-soaked spectators, briefly got out of the drizzle at half-time for some desperately needed hot food, only to queue for an inordinate amount of time at a food stall inadequately staffed, and as usual, exorbitantly-priced. Saturday in Melbourne was pretty dismal weather-wise, and given that backdrop, and the fact a non-Victorian team was playing, the turnout of 67,697, the most for a Pies-Crows home-and-away game and second overall only to the 2002 preliminary final, was quite remarkable. Does the fact crowds continue to rise, though, give the AFL a false sense of security about how in love with the product the fan base really is? Or does every new insult or indifference to the football lover act as just another little straw added to the weight on the camel's back, perhaps set to break when least expected after just one too many impositions on supporter patience? Another one of those issues causing a creeping sense of anger among diehard football fans is the fact Saturdays in Victoria are now the exclusive domain of Fox Footy, Channel 7 having shifted its live broadcasting commitment to Thursday night along with Friday night and Sunday afternoon. MORE AFL NEWS We've had some cracking Saturday football already this season, but they are games which for those unable to afford a Fox Footy or Kayo subscription, remain inaccessible, and now thanks to the latest broadcasting rights agreement, will be so for at least the next seven years. That was a hugely significant line in the sand in terms of a game which has always prided itself on its egalitarianism and availability to everyone. And yet it was snuck through almost by stealth, the fact not dawning on most until we arrived at the actual start of this season. The AFL could have argued a case, it could have explained its reasoning, it could have helped prepare the fan base for the change, but it did none of that. Instead, the lack of Saturday free-to-air coverage has become just another of those festering wounds with football fans, talked about in the outer at games and in pub bars, but seldom given a moment's thought or discussion by mainstream media, because those in that sphere are themselves unaffected. Then throw in the usual grumbles about the standard of umpiring, the inconsistency of Match Review Officer and AF Tribunal decisions, and the inadequacy of technology in decision-making more than a decade after its introduction, and you have what feels like an entire constituency at times following the game almost with an air of resentment more than excitement. Will the AFL at some stage stick its collective head out from the bunker and take note? On current trends you'd think it was unlikely. But it is a growing tide it will ignore at its own peril. Because when that anger turns instead to battle-weary apathy, not only will those impressive crowds potentially dwindle in the blink of an eye, as has happened in other Australian sporting leagues, but the game will have kick-started an exodus which might not ever be stemmed. Football fans are seldom, if ever, a very happy bunch. The main reason is obvious, really. For those for whom everything is going swimmingly (meaning their team is winning), there's a far, far bigger group whose sides are doing it tough, or at best struggling along. That's always been the case, of course. But when you throw in some general dissatisfaction with how the game is being run, it can be a pretty angry mix. And right now, it feels like AFL football's fan base is as volatile as it's ever been. I'm usually a bit sceptical about the "game is in a mess" crowd, for a number of reasons, mainly that given the size of the business these days and the continual issues emerging, the AFL usually manages to at least get the job done reasonably competently. But lately, I'm not so sure. And if you want the most recent examples of discontent, the past few weeks have provided plenty. Certainly, media discontent, anyway, the loudest public foghorns in the game are ropeable about misleading communications out of head office from football operations boss Laura Kane on the matter of Collingwood player Lachie Schultz's concussion, and a lack of due diligence and diplomacy surrounding Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli's various indiscretions. But it's the fan discontent which could in the long run do the game more damage, and there's no doubt that is being fanned not only by the incessant reporting of mistakes and cock-ups, but that of the increasing frustration and dissatisfaction of AFL clubs with the administration, simply increasing the sense of "us versus them" in virtually any debate about the code. And what amplifies that further is when the regular punters are themselves directly exposed to the sort of arrogant, high-handed lack of consideration that the clubs are now complaining about. Fans are far more used to that, of course, a point of which I was reminded last Saturday at the Collingwood-Adelaide game as I, along with scores of other bedraggled, wet, rain-soaked spectators, briefly got out of the drizzle at half-time for some desperately needed hot food, only to queue for an inordinate amount of time at a food stall inadequately staffed, and as usual, exorbitantly-priced. Saturday in Melbourne was pretty dismal weather-wise, and given that backdrop, and the fact a non-Victorian team was playing, the turnout of 67,697, the most for a Pies-Crows home-and-away game and second overall only to the 2002 preliminary final, was quite remarkable. Does the fact crowds continue to rise, though, give the AFL a false sense of security about how in love with the product the fan base really is? Or does every new insult or indifference to the football lover act as just another little straw added to the weight on the camel's back, perhaps set to break when least expected after just one too many impositions on supporter patience? Another one of those issues causing a creeping sense of anger among diehard football fans is the fact Saturdays in Victoria are now the exclusive domain of Fox Footy, Channel 7 having shifted its live broadcasting commitment to Thursday night along with Friday night and Sunday afternoon. MORE AFL NEWS We've had some cracking Saturday football already this season, but they are games which for those unable to afford a Fox Footy or Kayo subscription, remain inaccessible, and now thanks to the latest broadcasting rights agreement, will be so for at least the next seven years. That was a hugely significant line in the sand in terms of a game which has always prided itself on its egalitarianism and availability to everyone. And yet it was snuck through almost by stealth, the fact not dawning on most until we arrived at the actual start of this season. The AFL could have argued a case, it could have explained its reasoning, it could have helped prepare the fan base for the change, but it did none of that. Instead, the lack of Saturday free-to-air coverage has become just another of those festering wounds with football fans, talked about in the outer at games and in pub bars, but seldom given a moment's thought or discussion by mainstream media, because those in that sphere are themselves unaffected. Then throw in the usual grumbles about the standard of umpiring, the inconsistency of Match Review Officer and AF Tribunal decisions, and the inadequacy of technology in decision-making more than a decade after its introduction, and you have what feels like an entire constituency at times following the game almost with an air of resentment more than excitement. Will the AFL at some stage stick its collective head out from the bunker and take note? On current trends you'd think it was unlikely. But it is a growing tide it will ignore at its own peril. Because when that anger turns instead to battle-weary apathy, not only will those impressive crowds potentially dwindle in the blink of an eye, as has happened in other Australian sporting leagues, but the game will have kick-started an exodus which might not ever be stemmed.
The Advertiser
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
New AFL fixture gives Bulldogs chance to shine
The Western Bulldogs will feature prominently on the big stage late in the AFL home and away season, given a strong hand of prime-time fixtures. The Bulldogs, who sit sixth after nine rounds, have been rewarded for their impressive start to the year in the fixture for rounds 16-23, which was released by the AFL on Thursday. Luke Beveridge's side have been dealt two Thursday and three Friday night matches across the eight rounds. Carlton, Essendon and GWS - all firmly in the finals mix at this stage - each have four fixtures in the marquee slots. Brisbane, Collingwood and Hawthorn have three each, while Melbourne and Richmond are the only clubs who have none. There are three Friday night double-headers scheduled across the eight weeks; in rounds 17, 20 and 23. "This back end of the season fixture is aimed at maximising momentum into the finals which is shaping up to be one of the tightest races in recent history," AFL scheduling boss Josh Bowler said. "We are excited to schedule a number of Friday night double headers aimed at maximising prime-time audience whilst also managing team travel and breaks between games." Thursday night football will be played every week across the eight rounds except for round 23, with August 14 left alone as clear air for the AFLW season opener. Round 20 is littered with derbies as all non-Victorian clubs face off against their local rivals, starting with Sydney's Giants-Swans clash on a Friday night. The schedule for round 24 will not be confirmed until later in the year. One of the Bulldogs' Thursday night fixtures is North Melbourne's AFL/VFL centenary match at Marvel Stadium in round 17. The celebration was originally scheduled for round 20 - when the Kangaroos host their first-ever VFL opponents Geelong - but was moved to allow it to be a standalone fixture. The Bulldogs-Adelaide fixture in round 18 has been moved from Ballarat's Mars Stadium to the league-owned Marvel Stadium to allow for a bigger attendance. Ongoing construction works at Mars Stadium have lowered the venue's capacity to about half the usual 11,000. Only 4814 fans were inside the ground to see the Bulldogs' 90-point thrashing of Port Adelaide earlier this month. Another Bulldogs match will be moved to Mars Stadium once the redevelopment is complete. The Western Bulldogs will feature prominently on the big stage late in the AFL home and away season, given a strong hand of prime-time fixtures. The Bulldogs, who sit sixth after nine rounds, have been rewarded for their impressive start to the year in the fixture for rounds 16-23, which was released by the AFL on Thursday. Luke Beveridge's side have been dealt two Thursday and three Friday night matches across the eight rounds. Carlton, Essendon and GWS - all firmly in the finals mix at this stage - each have four fixtures in the marquee slots. Brisbane, Collingwood and Hawthorn have three each, while Melbourne and Richmond are the only clubs who have none. There are three Friday night double-headers scheduled across the eight weeks; in rounds 17, 20 and 23. "This back end of the season fixture is aimed at maximising momentum into the finals which is shaping up to be one of the tightest races in recent history," AFL scheduling boss Josh Bowler said. "We are excited to schedule a number of Friday night double headers aimed at maximising prime-time audience whilst also managing team travel and breaks between games." Thursday night football will be played every week across the eight rounds except for round 23, with August 14 left alone as clear air for the AFLW season opener. Round 20 is littered with derbies as all non-Victorian clubs face off against their local rivals, starting with Sydney's Giants-Swans clash on a Friday night. The schedule for round 24 will not be confirmed until later in the year. One of the Bulldogs' Thursday night fixtures is North Melbourne's AFL/VFL centenary match at Marvel Stadium in round 17. The celebration was originally scheduled for round 20 - when the Kangaroos host their first-ever VFL opponents Geelong - but was moved to allow it to be a standalone fixture. The Bulldogs-Adelaide fixture in round 18 has been moved from Ballarat's Mars Stadium to the league-owned Marvel Stadium to allow for a bigger attendance. Ongoing construction works at Mars Stadium have lowered the venue's capacity to about half the usual 11,000. Only 4814 fans were inside the ground to see the Bulldogs' 90-point thrashing of Port Adelaide earlier this month. Another Bulldogs match will be moved to Mars Stadium once the redevelopment is complete. The Western Bulldogs will feature prominently on the big stage late in the AFL home and away season, given a strong hand of prime-time fixtures. The Bulldogs, who sit sixth after nine rounds, have been rewarded for their impressive start to the year in the fixture for rounds 16-23, which was released by the AFL on Thursday. Luke Beveridge's side have been dealt two Thursday and three Friday night matches across the eight rounds. Carlton, Essendon and GWS - all firmly in the finals mix at this stage - each have four fixtures in the marquee slots. Brisbane, Collingwood and Hawthorn have three each, while Melbourne and Richmond are the only clubs who have none. There are three Friday night double-headers scheduled across the eight weeks; in rounds 17, 20 and 23. "This back end of the season fixture is aimed at maximising momentum into the finals which is shaping up to be one of the tightest races in recent history," AFL scheduling boss Josh Bowler said. "We are excited to schedule a number of Friday night double headers aimed at maximising prime-time audience whilst also managing team travel and breaks between games." Thursday night football will be played every week across the eight rounds except for round 23, with August 14 left alone as clear air for the AFLW season opener. Round 20 is littered with derbies as all non-Victorian clubs face off against their local rivals, starting with Sydney's Giants-Swans clash on a Friday night. The schedule for round 24 will not be confirmed until later in the year. One of the Bulldogs' Thursday night fixtures is North Melbourne's AFL/VFL centenary match at Marvel Stadium in round 17. The celebration was originally scheduled for round 20 - when the Kangaroos host their first-ever VFL opponents Geelong - but was moved to allow it to be a standalone fixture. The Bulldogs-Adelaide fixture in round 18 has been moved from Ballarat's Mars Stadium to the league-owned Marvel Stadium to allow for a bigger attendance. Ongoing construction works at Mars Stadium have lowered the venue's capacity to about half the usual 11,000. Only 4814 fans were inside the ground to see the Bulldogs' 90-point thrashing of Port Adelaide earlier this month. Another Bulldogs match will be moved to Mars Stadium once the redevelopment is complete.
