The 2016 Fixture

[John Demonic 5,870]

wow, Geelong down at Geelong again.

Would love an explanation from the AFL for this [censored]

They want to see us have another "best win in a decade" ecstatic victory?

Edited October 29, 2015 by johndemons

[Demon Jack 6,931]

wow, Geelong down at Geelong again.

Would love an explanation from the AFL for this [censored]

There's probably be another chunk of Geelong veterans retiring at the end of next year (Enright, Mackie, Bartel, Lonergan). The AFL most likely just want them to get the "farewell they deserve" (shudder).

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,944]

Because they are home games that should be at the MCG.

And we will not win the following week coming back from the Northern Territory.

You can basically pencil in 4 losses right there.

Not sure I follow the logic. Hawthorn plays home games in Tassie. Doesn't seem to have caused them any problems.

[The Stigga 1,094]

You going to chip in the $600k that we get from it?

Seriously though, even if we had 22 home games at the MCG, all being played on a Friday night, there'd be a number of supporters complaining about our draw. FFS, quit your whinging.

Meanwhile, I'm excited about moving back to Victoria before the start of next season, and am already looking forward to the games I'll get to see, which includes being happy about a home game at Etihad (very easy public transport if you live on that side of the CBD).

I'm dreading playing Hawthorn twice, but it's dread, not shafted.

Don't we pay people at the club (well) to work out how to harness alternative income streams that are not to the detriment of the club.

I understand the rationale when there is an acceptance that we will finish near the bottom.

But at this point in time, they way I view it, is an automatic four games lost: the 2 actual games in NT and the games a week after, Hawthorn and St.Kilda off a 6 day break.

You know, when all four of these games could be played in Melbourne...

Could be the difference between 8 wins and 12 wins...

[The Stigga 1,094]

And the whole 'we win anywhere, anytime...it doesn't matter' stuff is garbage.

Of course it's an advantage to play at home.

And in relation to 'but Hawthorn in Tassie...'

It works for them, NT doesn't work for us.

We are accepting half a million a year for a guaranteed loss (as well as the week after)

I'm sure the players love a 5 hour plane ride to a terrible climate.

We cannot play finals while this deal is in place.

Edited October 29, 2015 by The Stigga

[Dr. Gonzo 24,358]

Another home game in Darwin and Alice Springs.

You can forget finals once again in 2016. So frustrating.

Haha ok mate

[Dr. Gonzo 24,358]

And the whole 'we win anywhere, anytime...it doesn't matter' stuff is garbage.

Of course it's an advantage to play at home.

And in relation to 'but Hawthorn in Tassie...'

It works for them, NT doesn't work for us.

We are accepting half a million a year for a guaranteed loss (as well as the week after)

I'm sure the players love a 5 hour plane ride to a terrible climate.

We cannot play finals while this deal is in place.

You realise one of the games is in Alice Springs, not Darwin yeah?

[What 18,810]

Not sure I follow the logic. Hawthorn plays home games in Tassie. Doesn't seem to have caused them any problems.

I think youll find theres just a little bit of a difference there

Firstly, Tassie is a little closer to Melbourne than the Northern territory

Secondly, the climate is just a little different between the two places

[The Chazz 4,077]

And the whole 'we win anywhere, anytime...it doesn't matter' stuff is garbage.

Of course it's an advantage to play at home.

And in relation to 'but Hawthorn in Tassie...'

It works for them, NT doesn't work for us.

We are accepting half a million a year for a guaranteed loss (as well as the week after)

I'm sure the players love a 5 hour plane ride to a terrible climate.

We cannot play finals while this deal is in place.

How the hell is it a "guaranteed loss"? Last I looked, there were two teams playing in the game, us and someone else.

Our history in the NT games has nothing to do with the venue, it has to do with our ability. WE need to change the mindset of "guaranteed loss" to "guaranteed win".

It's not venue related.

[monoccular 17,607]

WTF????

NO Friday nights

Twice at DS vs Saints including our home game

And they continue to refuse the most logical and fair bit of planning / fixturing - the Darwin game immediately before the bye....fair to both sides.

Yet again vs Druggists at OUR home ground as an away game.

[bandicoot 1,395]

How the hell is it a "guaranteed loss"? Last I looked, there were two teams playing in the game, us and someone else.

Our history in the NT games has nothing to do with the venue, it has to do with our ability. WE need to change the mindset of "guaranteed loss" to "guaranteed win".

It's not venue related.

The only issue I have with the NT is the Darwin game as it saps our energy for the next week.

Ideally, we should schedule the game before the bye.

The Alice game is fine.

Only a 2.5 hour flight with dry weather in the low 20's.

[McQueen 17,867]

What an ordinary fixture.

We'll make finals because of that.

[The Stigga 1,094]

You realise one of the games is in Alice Springs, not Darwin yeah?

Yes I do, just pointing out that I don't think any player would look forward to a 5 hour plane ride to play a footy match in Darwin.

[monoccular 17,607]

And the whole 'we win anywhere, anytime...it doesn't matter' stuff is garbage.

Of course it's an advantage to play at home.

And in relation to 'but Hawthorn in Tassie...'

It works for them, NT doesn't work for us.

We are accepting half a million a year for a guaranteed loss (as well as the week after)

I'm sure the players love a 5 hour plane ride to a terrible climate.

We cannot play finals while this deal is in place.

Alice Springs is no hotter than Brisbane or Perth in winter - great climate. And it a 2.5-3 hour flight, less than Perth, not 5.

But I agree that the Darwin game should always preceded the bye. Only fair to both teams involved. But fairness has never been part of AFL thinking.

[The Stigga 1,094]

How the hell is it a "guaranteed loss"? Last I looked, there were two teams playing in the game, us and someone else.

Our history in the NT games has nothing to do with the venue, it has to do with our ability. WE need to change the mindset of "guaranteed loss" to "guaranteed win".

It's not venue related.

Well by golly we should sell every home game, make a fortune, and win every game no matter where it is!

[The Chazz 4,077]

Well by golly we should sell every home game, make a fortune, and win every game no matter where it is!

Oh dear...

[The Chazz 4,077]

Well by golly we should sell every home game, make a fortune, and win every game no matter where it is!

Just for you...

The teams we played against, and their result the following week;

2015 - vs Port at Alice. They defeated the Dogs the following week

2015 - vs WCE at Darwin. they defeated the Crows the following week

2014 - vs Port at Alice. They defeated St Kilda the following week

2014 - vs Freo at Darwin. They defeated GWS the following week

2013 - vs Brisbane at Darwin. They lost to Port the following week (a game played at Port, and they lost by 9 points)

2012 - vs Port at Darwin. They lost the following week to Fremantle (who played finals, and Port finished 14th)

2011 - vs Port at Darwin. They had the bye the following week.

Sure, some teams had "easy beats" the following week. This year, we played Essendon after the Darwin game (we lost), and played Collingwood after a 9 day break from our Alice game (we lost).

Your argument has zero substance. Good day.

[Grand New Flag 3,227]

Stop whinging people. Our fixture is reasonable and fair for a team that finished 13th with 7 wins and has won just just a handful of games in the last few season.

We have a soft draw for the first half of the season, played mostly at the MCG and thus a massive opportunity to build some confidence and excitement. We should be in the 8 at the break. We need to earn a better draw. I have no problems with this.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Stop whinging people. Our fixture is reasonable and fair for a team that finished 13th with 7 wins and has won just just a handful of games in the last few season.

We have a soft draw for the first half of the season, played mostly at the MCG and thus a massive opportunity to build some confidence and excitement. We should be in the 8 at the break. We need to earn a better draw. I have no problems with this.

Who we play isn't the issue, where and when is.

[The Stigga 1,094]

Just for you...

The teams we played against, and their result the following week;

2015 - vs Port at Alice. They defeated the Dogs the following week

2015 - vs WCE at Darwin. they defeated the Crows the following week

2014 - vs Port at Alice. They defeated St Kilda the following week

2014 - vs Freo at Darwin. They defeated GWS the following week

2013 - vs Brisbane at Darwin. They lost to Port the following week (a game played at Port, and they lost by 9 points)

2012 - vs Port at Darwin. They lost the following week to Fremantle (who played finals, and Port finished 14th)

2011 - vs Port at Darwin. They had the bye the following week.

Sure, some teams had "easy beats" the following week. This year, we played Essendon after the Darwin game (we lost), and played Collingwood after a 9 day break from our Alice game (we lost).

Your argument has zero substance. Good day.

Again, those clubs have nothing to do with us.

Besides the money, name a single other positive about this arrangement?

We should have 14 games at the MCG, not 12.

[DubDee 26,191]

I reckon our double ups aren't bad outside of Hawthorn. Collingwood and Saints won't be that good (though playing Saints twice at Docklands hurts - although we did play better against them there than at the G this year...), we usually match up well against Port and Gold Coast will only be thereabouts. At least we don't play Freo or West Coast twice and I'd rather Collingwood than Geelong or the Dogs I think.

guess we wait and see but I reckon Pies are locks for the 8 after their recruiting. and port are due for a big year

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Meh, it is what it is, at least there is a live game in nearly every state/territory for those Dee fans not able to come to Melbourne.

Edited October 29, 2015 by AzzKikA

[The Stigga 1,094]

We need to earn a better draw.

No arguments there.

However as a whole the fixture should be more equitable.

Playing home games in god forsaken places doesn't help.

[beelzebub 23,384]

No arguments there.

However as a whole the fixture should be more equitable.

Playing home games in god forsaken places doesn't help.

yes...Im not a fan of Etihad !!

[PaulRB 6,422]

I like the draw, we've been given every opportunity to win 6 before the bye, and twice against the old enemy, tigers, Dons... should be something to savour there.

If we can win consecutive and even get on a roll early on... the confidence will build quick in a young team.

First nine games should hold few fears with

1. GWS GIANTS (11th)
2. Essendon (15th)
3. North Melbourne (8th)
4. Collingwood (12th)
5. Richmond (5th)
6. St Kilda (14th)
7. Gold Coast (16th)
8. Western Bulldogs (6th)
9. Brisbane Lions (17th)

All winnable.

Edited October 29, 2015 by PaulRB