Fixture 2020 (COVID Edition)

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

Wow we are doing some serious traveling...     same for other clubs or are we shafted again?

[deelusions from afar 1,810]

Tough for everyone.  Annoyed to play North in Tassie - they're not in good form but tend to play that ground much better than others.

Will be interesting in terms of selection - I think we'd really want to win one of Bris / Port but surely we don't play the same side in both with such a short break and travel between them.  TMac, Jones, Tomlinson, Sparrow, Jordan, Spargo, Smith all a chance?

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

6 minutes ago, Pates said:

We can't really say the fixture has been particularly kind to us this year, I feel like we've been a bit more mucked around than most (with the Essendon debacle). But it actually does appear that most clubs fixtures are a mess. I knew we were going to be sent to Tassie against North, just a feeling in my gut. Of course they would never send Richmond, Geelong, Collingwood, or Essendon.

On a positive side it actually appears that the GABBA has almost become our defacto "home" which is good for a couple of reasons. Firstly it's close to our base in Maroochydore so we aren't going to be traveling a couple of hours to GC on a bus. Secondly if (as it appears) the finals could be based up in QLD then this is giving us experience on the home ground of potentially one of the main finals contenders.

Round 10 and 11 are simply must wins. Work your magic Darren!

He could be a real weapon for us this 4 weeks.

Having spent a few years at Arsenal he will be more than well equipped to get a team ready off a 4 day break which is very common in ⚽ ! 

[Spud 288]

biggest concern is the times suggest very little free to air exposure. Possibly the Port game,   but all others have the foxtel time set up, which is disappointing when we have a game v Collingwood at 5.10pm on a Saturday and the later game looks pretty ordinary between Freo & Carlton likely on FTA. Sponsors may be a bit peeved with that one.

[Satan 2,872]

And we play essendon down the track when the season might be on the line

[Swooper1987 3,322]

Tassie shouldn't bother us.  The games we have lost there have been less than a kick when Nth have been a better side than us.  Shouldn't hold any fears at all. Our breaks and travel are actually better than a few others.  Happy with it overall.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

One positive is that we get a primetime Thursday night game vs Port Adelaide on FTA, starting at 8.10pm (a bit late but better than not at all).

Otherwise on my preliminary glance, we've been shafted compared to other Victorian clubs.

We get two games at the Gabba but they're bookends. In between, we go from Queensland to SA, then to Tassie, then back to Queensland.

By comparison with other Victorian clubs:

• Richmond and the Dogs play three games in Queensland (two at Metricon, one at the Gabba)
• Essendon plays three straight games at Metricon and then its fourth at the Gabba
• St Kilda plays three games at the Gabba and one at Metricon
• Carlton and Hawthorn don't leave Perth (obvious downside being they're playing Fremantle and West Coast in Perth with a crowd)
• North plays in Queensland twice in a row before playing in Hobart twice in a row
• after leaving Perth Geelong plays three straight games at the Gabba
• after leaving Perth Collingwood plays at the Gabba twice but sandwiched between those is a trip to Adelaide

So as far as I can tell, Collingwood is the only other Victorian side to play in three states during these four rounds. But one of those is Perth, where it will have been set up for a month. For us, we've been in Sydney for two weeks. Now we're off to Queensland for one week, then to Adelaide, then Tassie, then Queensland. No stability at all. Literally every other Victorian club at least gets to stay in the same state for at least two games straight.

I'd like to think we'll get moved somewhere for Rounds 13-16, at least, for some stability in the lead up to the final two games (which will be spaced out properly before finals).

[Demons11 7,024]

It’s interesting that the game in Tassie says subject to government approval 

[Mel Bourne 4,515]

I’m pretty stoked about having the option of watching a game every night. 

[Lucifers Hero 39,818]

? Look at Ess:

• Round 9 - Friday, Gabba
• Round 10 - Friday, Metricon
• Round 11 - Wednesday, Metricon
• Round 12 - Sunday, Gabba

Nice spread of dates and don't leave Qld where they have been based for about a month (and travelled once in round 8 to SA).

How on earth do they get special treatment like that!!!!

This is where the postponed game will hurt us.  Freo, WCE, Hawthorn and Carlton have a bye after round 10.  GWS and Sydney get a bye in Round 11.  Other teams will get byes between Rounds 13 - 16. 

We don't get a bye nor do Essendon but look at the advantage they have in well spaced games and no travel.

I'm not usually someone to complain about the fixture but we have been dealt a poor hand especially if we end up playing in Alice and have a catch up game without a bye.

With the amount of travel we have basing in Maroochydore may not be such a good idea for total travel time to/from airports etc.  Lets hope there are flights from there directly to Adelaide and Hobart otherwise it will be quite painful, especially if we have to adopt FIFO travel.

Can only hope the AFL even it up in rounds 13 - 16!

Edited July 21, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[Demon_spurs 1,853]

7 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

? Look at Ess:

• Round 9 - Friday, Gabba
• Round 10 - Friday, Metricon
• Round 11 - Wednesday, Metricon
• Round 12 - Sunday, Gabba

Nice spread of dates and don't leave Qld where they have been based for about a month (and travelled once in round 8 to SA).

How on earth do they get special treatment like that!!!!

This is where the postponed game will hurt us.  Freo, WCE, Hawthorn and Carlton have a bye after round 10.  GWS and Sydney get a bye in Round 11.  Other teams will get byes between Rounds 13 - 16. 

We don't get a bye nor do Essendon but look at the advantage they have in well spaced games and no travel.

I'm not usually someone to complain about the fixture but we have been dealt a poor hand especially if we end up playing in Alice and have a catch up game without a bye.

With the amount of travel we have basing in Maroochydore may not be such a good idea for total travel time to/from airports etc.  Lets hope there are flights from there directly to Adelaide and Hobart otherwise it will be quite painful, especially if we have to adopt FIFO travel.

Can only hope the AFL even it up in rounds 13 - 16!

I'm reserving my whinge until I see their Round 13 to 17

[Demonland 72,212]

7 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

? Look at Ess:

• Round 9 - Friday, Gabba
• Round 10 - Friday, Metricon
• Round 11 - Wednesday, Metricon
• Round 12 - Sunday, Gabba

Nice spread of dates and don't leave Qld where they have been based for about a month (and travelled once in round 8 to SA).

How on earth do they get special treatment like that!!!!

This is where the postponed game will hurt us.  Freo, WCE, Hawthorn and Carlton have a bye after round 10.  GWS and Sydney get a bye in Round 11.  Other teams will get byes between Rounds 13 - 16. 

We don't get a bye nor do Essendon but look at the advantage they have in well spaced games and no travel.

I'm not usually someone to complain about the fixture but we have been dealt a poor hand especially if we end up playing in Alice and have a catch up game without a bye.

With the amount of travel we have basing in Maroochydore may not be such a good idea for total travel time to/from airports etc.  Lets hope there are flights from there directly to Adelaide and Hobart otherwise it will be quite painful, especially if we have to adopt FIFO travel.

Can only hope the AFL even it up in rounds 13 - 16!

We'll 100% have to travel to NT and you can bet we'll play Sydney in Sydney. Hopefully the rest of our games are in QLD.

[Pates 9,660]

9 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

? Look at Ess:

How on earth do they get special treatment like that!!!!

It's a damn good question, maybe by being arrogant cheats?

But on the subject of them, I think we should apply to the AFL to play Essendon in Alice Springs as THEIR home game and then have our home game vs Freo in Alice afterwards and there are a couple of reasons why this would actually work and make logical sense.

There is word that they want to do their fabled "Dreamtime Match" in Darwin. So how about this:

* Richmond vs Essendon - Darwin Dreamtime match (Try to arrange a decent break for both teams, not that the AFL ever did that for us!)
* Essendon vs Melbourne - Alice Springs, do the make up match in a way that Essendon don't have to do a huge amount of travel onto their next game. They can do clinics to build back their shattered reputation, I'm sure they could find somewhere to base themselves.
* Melbourne vs (Unknown) - I say Freo because that's been a common opponent but it could be anybody, we don't have to travel for a week and we get a good chance to stay up there

Edited July 21, 2020 by Pates

[Lucifers Hero 39,818]

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

We'll 100% have to travel to NT and you can bet we'll play Sydney in Sydney. Hopefully the rest of our games are in QLD.

You mean the 3 that are left after those!!! 

[Lucifers Hero 39,818]

2 minutes ago, Pates said:

It's a damn good question, maybe by being arrogant cheats?

But on the subject of them, I think we should apply to the AFL to play Essendon in Alice Springs as THEIR home game and then have our home game vs Freo in Alice afterwards and there are a couple of reasons why this would actually work and make logical sense.

There is word that they want to do their fabled "Dreamtime Match" in Darwin. So how about this:

* Richmond vs Essendon - Darwin Dreamtime match (Try to arrange a decent break for both teams, not that the AFL ever did that for us!)
* Essendon vs Melbourne - Alice Springs, do the make up match in a way that Essendon don't have to do a huge amount of travel onto their next game. They can do clinics to build back their shattered reputation, I'm sure they could find somewhere to base themselves.
* Melbourne vs (Unknown) - I say Freo because that's been a common opponent but it could be anybody, we don't have to travel for a week and we get a good chance to stay up there

I want Ess to suffer as much as possible!!!  Make them go from Darwin/Alice to Tassie!!!!

If we play Ess in NT you can bet we will be travelling to Darwin!!

Sorry 'Pates', I don't mean to vent, but I'm angry!!

[Bates Mate 4,487]

Our Bye was inflicted by Essendon at a time we didn't need it and we get two road trips in the next block while Essendon get none. Shafted big time. I hated that club

[Rab D Nesbitt 8,367]

5 minutes ago, Pates said:

It's a damn good question, maybe by being arrogant cheats?

But on the subject of them, I think we should apply to the AFL to play Essendon in Alice Springs as THEIR home game and then have our home game vs Freo in Alice afterwards and there are a couple of reasons why this would actually work and make logical sense.

There is word that they want to do their fabled "Dreamtime Match" in Darwin. So how about this:

Richmond vs Essendon - Darwin Dreamtime match (Try to arrange a decent break for both teams, not that the AFL ever did that for us!)
Essendon vs Melbourne - Alice Springs, do the make up match in a way that Essendon don't have to do a huge amount of travel onto their next game. They can do clinics to build back their shattered reputation, I'm sure they could find somewhere to base themselves.
Melbourne vs (Unkown) - I say Freo because that's been a common opponent but it could be anybody, we don't have to travel for a week and we get a good chance to stay up there

As long as there are good enough gym facilities up there for us that could be a winner Pates. With the draw being turned on it's head anyway who's to say they couldn't both now be our home games. 

[Pates 9,660]

2 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I want Ess to suffer as much as possible!!!  Make them go from Darwin/Alice to Tassie!!!!

If we play Ess in NT you can bet we will be travelling to Darwin!!

Sorry 'Pates', I don't mean to vent, but I'm angry!!

Haha I want them to suffer as well, but we know the AFL won't be doing that to them so we need to make it at least somewhat appealing to all parties.

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

6 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

If we play Ess in NT you can bet we will be travelling to Darwin!!

I'd love to play Ess in Darwin, They have no experience playing in those conditions 

[Deeko2 812]

Tough on the travel for us but harder for our opponents.

Rd 9 vs Port Adelaide sees us not travelling coming off a 4 day break.  Port get a 5 day break but travelling from Adelaide.  I'd say this is about even.

Rd 10 vs Adelaide see us travelling to Adelaide off a 6 day break.  Adelaide are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane.  Win for us.

Rd 11 vs North sees us travelling to Tasmania off a 4 day break.  North are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane.  I'd say this is par noting the flight is fairly similar.

Rd 12 vs Pies sees us travelling to Brisbane off a 6 day break.  Pies are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Adelaide.  Win for us.

 

So two pars and a coupla birdies.  We definitely can't whinge at this fixture imo.

[Bates Mate 4,487]

2 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

Tough on the travel for us but harder for our opponents.

Rd 9 vs Port Adelaide sees us not travelling coming off a 4 day break.  Port get a 5 day break but travelling from Adelaide.  I'd say this is about even.

Rd 10 vs Adelaide see us travelling to Adelaide off a 6 day break.  Adelaide are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane.  Win for us.

Rd 11 vs North sees us travelling to Tasmania off a 4 day break.  North are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane.  I'd say this is par noting the flight is fairly similar.

Rd 12 vs Pies sees us travelling to Brisbane off a 6 day break.  Pies are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Adelaide.  Win for us.

 

So two pars and a coupla birdies.  We definitely can't whinge at this fixture imo.

Made me feel better

[dl4e 5,851]

On the short term of notice we play the 2 top teams in the next 2 rounds. Have to win one coz if we lose both then whinging about the draw will be superflouus.

[deelusions from afar 1,810]

3 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

Tough on the travel for us but harder for our opponents.

Rd 9 vs Port Adelaide sees us not travelling coming off a 4 day break.  Port get a 5 day break but travelling from Adelaide.  I'd say this is about even.

Rd 10 vs Adelaide see us travelling to Adelaide off a 6 day break.  Adelaide are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane.  Win for us.

Rd 11 vs North sees us travelling to Tasmania off a 4 day break.  North are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane.  I'd say this is par noting the flight is fairly similar.

Rd 12 vs Pies sees us travelling to Brisbane off a 6 day break.  Pies are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Adelaide.  Win for us.

 

So two pars and a coupla birdies.  We definitely can't whinge at this fixture imo.

Also re Port - they have a 4 day break after our match v the Bulldogs (i think ours is 6? playing the Crows) so you would think they won't be playing a full strength side.  Will be interesting how all teams cope with this

[Lucifers Hero 39,818]

1 minute ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

I'd love to play Ess in Darwin, They have no experience playing in those conditions 

Fair point. 

But my rant is about fairness.  And the forthcoming fixture just isn't fair.  We have the absolute worst package of breaks, travel, no-bye!

One would think we would get some prime times as 'compensation'.  But no, of the 4 games 2 are at crap times to go with the crap times we have had all year. 

End of my rants

[Deeko2 812]

1 minute ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Fair point. 

But my rant is about fairness.  And the forthcoming fixture just isn't fair.  We have the absolute worst package of breaks, travel, no-bye!

One would think we would get some prime times as 'compensation'.  But no, of the 4 games 2 are at crap times to go with the crap times we have had all year. 

End of my rants

It's crap in regards to travel and turn around times LH but have a read of my post above.  The teams we play over the 4 rounds have either equally bad travel/turn around times or worse.  Really, we have no excuses.

Lets just bank the next 5 wins and look for some prime time when we're sitting 8 and 3