AFL Schedule

[alex]

Having a look at the AFL schedule, for the first 2 rounds there are no Friday night games, rather they're on Thursday night instead.

Does anyone know why?

 

[Jazza]

Having a look at the AFL schedule, for the first 2 rounds there are no Friday night games, rather they're on Thursday night instead.

Does anyone know why?

Now that is a strange one, I can only think by playing matches on Friday Night, more people are out or going away for the weekend which means ratings are lower.
By playing on a Thursday Night, more people are home. I think this is a ploy by the AFL with the new broadcasting rights coming up to boost tv ratings, especially with all this talk about the NRL ratings at an all time high. I'd assume more people would be home on a Thursday night to watch it then there would be on a Friday night.

 

[alex]

but it's only for the first two rounds … :/

is it school holidays in melbourne?

 

[Juro]

Do they normally not play on Good Friday? I saw an article complaining about channel 9 not showing the Storm game on Friday in Melbourne so it may be something to do with that.

But that doesn't explain last week…

 

[Tigerpete]

I thought there was a game last friday night?

Anyways, Good Friday will be the reason for their not being a game this week. As for last week, no idea really? Perhaps there's contractual obligations to show games on certain days depending on the network?

 

[Yossarian]

Pretty sure Geelong and Essendon were on last Friday

 

[Peaches]

Rd 1 started on a Thursday because the AFL are looking at when they can play the extra match come the time when the 2 new sides are playing (hence an extra game a round). They already have a full weekend schedule and don't like the idea of 2 Friday games. Thats why they are trialling Monday night, Thursday arvo and Sunday twilight possibly too.

Rd 2 is because the AFL don't play on Good Friday though I think that may change next year.