The AFL has confirmed the inaugural ‘Opening Round’ fixture, with four games to be played across Queensland and New South Wales prior to the traditional Round 1.
The season will kick off on the weekend of March 7 to 9 with four huge showdowns north of the border – two matches to be played at each aforementioned state – before all 18 clubs will feature the following weekend including the customary Carlton-Richmond Thursday night MCG blockbuster.
Brodie Grundy will make his first appearance for the Sydney Swans against his old side Melbourne at the SCG in the AFL’s season opener on Thursday March 7. It’ll be followed by a preliminary final rematch between Brisbane and Carlton at the Gabba on Friday March 8.
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On the Saturday afternoon, Damien Hardwick will coach his first game for the Gold Coast Suns against his former side Richmond from Heritage Bank Stadium. Later that night Collingwood will begin its premiership defence against GWS at Giants Stadium in another exciting preliminary final rematch to cap off ‘Opening Round’.
The above eight sides will have a bye at some stage between Rounds 2 and 6 to ensure all clubs will have played the same amount of games by the start of Round 7.
It comes as the AFL looks to boost the game in the northern states as part of the Labour Day (Monday March 11) long weekend and follows the league’s confirmation of the second Gather Round fixture.
“We were fortunate to be in a position where we were able to have access to our major venues in Queensland and New South Wales a weekend earlier than usual which gave us a unique opportunity to play these four games in key markets where footy continues to grow in popularity,” new AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.
“The four match-ups are big, with four of our biggest supported Victorian clubs travelling north, and we look forward to starting our season with real momentum before we head into a blockbuster round of matches in Round 1.
“We continue to find opportunities to build marquee games and events across the season, with recent examples being King’s Birthday Eve, ANZAC Day Eve and Gather Round and our four matches in the Opening Round build on this approach.
“Given this weekend also falls on the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria it presents a terrific opportunity for fans to travel north to support their club and enjoy an extended interstate break.
“We are driven to have footy in every home around the country, whether that be playing, coaching, umpiring, supporting or volunteering and starting the season across Queensland and NSW will only amplify this desire.
“There’s a lot of people behind the scenes who helped bring this concept to life and I would like to thank our venues and the clubs for sharing in our Opening Round vision.”
The remainder of the 2024 AFL fixture is set to be released on Thursday.
AFL OPENING ROUND FIXTURE
Thursday March 7
7:20pm Sydney v Melbourne at the SCG
Friday March 8
6.50pm (7.50pm AEDT) Brisbane v Carlton at the Gabba at the Gabba
Saturday March 9
3.20pm (4.20pm AEDT) Gold Coast v Richmond at Heritage Bank Stadium
7.30pm GWS v Collingwood at Giants Stadium
