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AFL Considers Fixture Changes for 2028 Expansion, Confirms Opening Round and State of Origin

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AFL Charts Future with 19th Team, Confirms Key Initiatives

The Australian Football League (AFL) is planning for a significant shift in its season structure ahead of the entry of the Tasmania Devils as the 19th team in 2028. Alongside this, the league has confirmed the continuation of its Opening Round and State of Origin concepts, citing their importance for market growth and player engagement.

Future Fixture Models for a 19-Team Competition

With the addition of a 19th team, the current 23-game home-and-away season format becomes mathematically unworkable, requiring at least one team to have a bye each week. The AFL is exploring several fixture models for this new era.

A move to a 24-game season in 2028 is reportedly under consideration, while a return to 22 games is described as "much less likely."

  • Proposed 24-game formats could involve teams playing each other once (18 games), followed by a reset for the remaining six games, which might be determined by ladder position.
  • An alternative proposal suggests maintaining a 23-game structure and playing the 24th game overseas, in non-traditional markets, or in states willing to pay hosting rights.
  • Industry views suggest the introduction of a 20th club after Tasmania is likely, which could eventually lead to a fixture where each team plays the other 19 once, plus Gather Round and four double-up games.

International Game Proposals and Precedents

The concept of playing premiership matches overseas has been discussed by several league figures.

  • Outgoing GWS CEO Dave Matthews argued for converting pre-season matches into games for premiership points to accommodate a 24th game, suggesting a match in California could be valuable for global promotion.
  • Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy has called for games to be played in India or the USA.
  • GWS held preliminary talks in 2020 about playing Essendon in Los Angeles or San Francisco, but plans were cancelled due to the pandemic.
  • The last home-and-away match played abroad was Port Adelaide versus St Kilda in Shanghai in 2019. St Kilda previously hosted three games in Wellington, New Zealand, in the mid-2010s.

Confirmation of Opening Round and Northern Market Strategy

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and Chief Operating Officer Tom Harley have confirmed the Opening Round concept will continue, emphasizing its role in growing the competition in northern markets.

  • The 2024 season marked the third consecutive year Sydney hosted the season-opener, with Gold Coast, GWS, and Brisbane Lions also hosting matches in the first week.
  • For the first time, a match was also held in Melbourne during Opening Round, featuring St Kilda and Collingwood.

League officials state that the previous two Opening Rounds contributed to record Round One attendances exceeding 400,000 people on each occasion, including 451,000 last year.

They also cite record membership and crowds for the Swans, Giants, Lions, and Suns following these events. Tom Harley stated the initiative supports the goal of making AFL "Australia's game," particularly for the population north of the Murray River.

The AFL views Opening Round as an evolving concept, with discussions about potential expansion to involve all 18 clubs within the next two years, subject to stadium availability.

Reported Club Concerns: Multiple clubs have expressed concerns to league leadership about the Opening Round format, with some raising issues about competitive fairness. For example, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has noted a perceived advantage for participating clubs, and Hawthorn's 18-day break early in the 2024 campaign sparked debate.

State of Origin and Olympic Ambitions

The AFL has confirmed the State of Origin concept will remain part of the calendar and is expected to evolve over the next three to five years.

  • Following a recent match between Western Australia and Victoria, player feedback was reported as positive, with players expressing a preference for extended camp times.
  • CEO Andrew Dillon views pre-season events like the All Stars and State of Origin as effective.

Regarding the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Dillon indicated high-level discussions have taken place about Australian rules football featuring as an exhibition sport, citing the 1956 Melbourne Olympics as a precedent.

Global Engagement and Rule Changes

  • Following a visit to India in January, CEO Andrew Dillon observed significant potential for the sport there, noting close to 10,000 boys and girls participating and 10 states involved in national championships. He did not confirm plans for AFL games to be played internationally.
  • Dillon expressed a positive outlook on recent rule changes designed to increase game speed and keep the ball in motion longer, stating they align with fan preferences. Some players, including Melbourne's Max Gawn, have voiced concerns about these changes.

Tasmania Developments and Player Speculation

The Tasmanian Devils' VFL debut against Coburg in North Hobart was a sellout, with approximately 11,000 attendees.

Reports indicate the Daicos family, including Collingwood players Nick and Josh Daicos, visited Tasmania around the time of this match.

This visit occurs amid ongoing speculation linking Nick Daicos to the Tasmanian club ahead of its 2028 entry. Daicos is currently contracted to Collingwood until 2029. Sources suggest he prioritizes team success and may not be exclusively committed to Collingwood for the entirety of his career. The timing of the family's trip was described as a coincidence.