Richmond disappointed as Carlton clash moves to Saturday afternoon
The MCG’s availability has forced a Round 1 reshuffle, with Richmond and Carlton scheduled for 12.35pm AEDT on 20 March.
Richmond has expressed disappointment over its Round 1 match against Carlton being scheduled for Saturday afternoon rather than Thursday night. The AFL fixture puts the MCG game at 12.35pm AEDT on 20 March, allowing another match at the ground that evening.
The scheduling change follows the MCG’s use for the 150th anniversary Test between Australia and England. The ground will not become available for AFL matches until Friday night of the opening week, when Hawthorn play Brisbane.
Richmond chief executive Shane Dunne said the club understood the switch was limited to one season because of the venue’s availability. He said Richmond expected the Carlton fixture to return to Thursday night the following season.
Dunne said the early Saturday start would make attending harder for some supporters. He said the traditional fixture, which dates to 2008, had drawn average crowds above 80,000 as well as substantial television audiences.
Sydney will host Geelong at the SCG on 17 March to begin the season, followed by Fremantle against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on Thursday. St Kilda will host Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night after the Richmond-Carlton match.
