Anyone else that just can’t wait for the next AFL season to start?
The 2024 AFL Trade Period has come and gone and so all attention turns to the AFL Draft later next month.
But how will the 2025 AFL Fixture look? Will Opening Round return?
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BLUES WANT TO GIVE OPENING ROUND A MISS
Carlton wants to give Opening Round a miss next year, according to reports.
According to the Herald Sun’s Jay Clark, the Blues are hoping to avoid a road-heavy schedule in the early part of next year which is part of the reason why they have told the league they would prefer to start their 2025 season in the traditional season-opener against Richmond at the MCG.
Nine’s Tom Morris reports the Blues also want six MCG home games in 2025, not five.
The round one clash between the Tigers and Blues will be a Richmond home game in 2025, with the Tigers set to unleash a plethora of exciting youngsters as a new era under Adem Yze begins.
The Tigers currently hold a whopping eight draft picks within the top 24 selections after the departures of Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker and Jack Graham in the 2024 trade period.
Dubious 50m penalty decides U18 final | 00:59
WHO COULD REPLACE THE BLUES?
If the Blues want out of Opening Round, then which Victorian side could replace them?
According to Clark, Geelong is a chance to take on the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the first game of the 2025 season where the Lions will unfurl their premiership flag.
If that is the case, all eyes would be on a possible club debut for boom recruit Bailey Smith.
The ex-Dog arrived at the Cattery during this year’s trade period after requesting a trade out of Whitten Oval.
The star midfielder missed all of last season with an ACL injury, but the Cats will be hoping he can return to his best with a fresh start.
AFLW launches Indigenous Round 2024 | 01:55
PIES OPENING ROUND STANCE CHANGES
According to Morris, there has “been a shift” in Collingwood’s stance on Opening Round.
Morris reported that Collingwood’s position in July was that all 18 clubs should play across Opening Round to make it fair, but since missing out on this year’s finals campaign, the Pies have changed their tune.
The Pies would be fine with a similar arrangement to this year, if that’s how the AFL decided to do things.
Elsewhere, it looks as though Essendon and Hawthorn will commence their seasons against one another in round one, while St Kilda’s early season blockbuster against Collingwood is reportedly on thin ice, according to Clark.
Morris also reported that Adelaide requested to host an Opening Round game but the AFL said no. Opening Round is set to be played in New South Wales and Queensland again in 2025.
‘All want this’ Issues facing AFLW | 04:47
DOGS EYE BLOCKBUSTER
The Western Bulldogs are eyeing off a blockbuster time slot early in the season as they look to promote their 100th year anniversary celebrations.
The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark reported that it could potentially be against Collingwood at the MCG, as the Bulldogs look to make amends for this year’s early finals exit.
The Bulldogs added ex-Blue Matthew Kennedy to their midfield through the trade period, but lost Bailey Smith (Geelong), Jack Macrae (St Kilda) and Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne) to rival clubs.