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Bombers, Pies game possibility for Tasmania
VICTORIAN powerhouses Collingwood and Essendon look likely to play in Geelong in 2020 and might even head to Tasmania if football returns this season in the state.
The Bombers’ last game in Tasmania was in 1992 against Fitzroy at North Hobart Oval.
Collingwood have never played for premiership points
ANNA HARRINGTON (AAP)
in the state. The Magpies also haven’t contested an AFL match at GMHBA Stadium since 1999, with Essendon last making the trip down the highway in 1993.
But as there will be no crowds early in the season — and possibly limited crowd numbers later in the year — the AFL is willing to have clubs with bigger membership bases play at smaller grounds.
“It certainly will allow for (Essendon and Collingwood to play in Geelong) in the fixture,” AFL fixtures boss Travis Auld said.
“Historically, we put constraints in the fixture process so those things can’t occur because the crowds just don’t fit into that venue and too many supporters get locked out.
“Those constraints have been removed and so you might find that you’ll see teams like Essendon and Collingwood play down at GMHBA.
“You may even see — if we’re able to get some games away in Tasmania — that those sort of teams will travel to Tasmania, which we haven’t seen for some time, too.”
Tasmania isn’t hosting any
AFL games this season but the league remains hopeful of playing matches in the state.
North Melbourne and Hawthorn usually play four games apiece in Hobart and Launceston respectively, although against interstate clubs or smaller Victorian clubs. The Kangaroos and Hawks have stated their intentions to play games this season here.
THE AFL says it is openminded about expanding its Sunday night football trial after introducing a new 6.05pm slot designed purely for TV ratings.
The league has created a Super Sunday of football featuring nearly eight hours of consecutive football in 1.05pm, 3.35pm and 6.05pm slots.
AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld admitted yesterday the slot would not work for every market when crowds returned given the league’s determination to maximise attendances.
But the league has committed to that fixture at least until crowds return, starting with a clash between winless St Kilda and Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on June 14.
Fremantle and Port Adelaide play in that in Round 3, followed by Hawthorn and North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium, Round 5) and then GWS v Hawthorn (Giants Stadium,
Round 6). As revealed by News Corp on Friday, the slot will allow the league to run three games that do not overlap on Sundays in a new triple-header format.
“It works. We have had one example in Round 1. This is really an opportunity to trial some things,” Auld said.
“It has worked in Round 1 without crowds. The question is if we do have a crowd coming back this year or next year does it still work in every market? I am not sure.
“I can see us having more Thursday nights this year, so we will take advantage of those opportunities.
“That will need to be reassessed going forward as the fans have the opportunity to attend games.”
All games in the Sunday timeslot so far are fixtured at three times, which allows Seven’s 3.35pm free-to-air game to flow perfectly into its 6pm news. Broadcast bosses have long complained overlapping games only reduce ratings, with only the Saturday night timeslot featuring games opposed to each other in this fixture.
The league believes it has secured permission from the state government to close the roof at Marvel Stadium during winter despite it then becoming an indoor venue.
“My understanding is the Victorian government is prepared to look at us closing the roof at Marvel. It’s a big win if it becomes the case,” Auld said.
“Throughout the winter it just provides us with better conditions for our players. I am not sure if it is finalised but my understanding it is is looking very likely.”
The league would be hopeful closing the roof would not change the amount of people allowed at a mass gathering as restrictions ease despite outdoor events being less likely to spread coronavirus.