Fixture 2020 (COVID Edition)

[DubDee 20,576]

1 hour ago, Demon Spofforth said:

Rumours up here in Qld that the Dees, Freo and Swans will be hubbed in Cairns to play Rds 15-16.

I strongly highlight the word 'rumours' until something official is announced as it's a mate of a mate of a mate situation.

Given our recent experience playing games in Darwin, it could be to our advantage compared to Freo/Swans.

But it would make it a fourth hub location since the team left Melbourne - Sydney, Maroochydore, Adelaide, Cairns - which isn't ideal.

That would be great. Much better than heading over to Perth! Freo are good at home

[kev martin 9,067]

1 hour ago, Demon Spofforth said:

Rumours up here in Qld that the Dees, Freo and Swans will be hubbed in Cairns to play Rds 15-16.

I strongly highlight the word 'rumours' until something official is announced as it's a mate of a mate of a mate situation.

Given our recent experience playing games in Darwin, it could be to our advantage compared to Freo/Swans.

But it would make it a fourth hub location since the team left Melbourne - Sydney, Maroochydore, Adelaide, Cairns - which isn't ideal.

I remember the West Coast Eagles whining about hubs.

Hopefully our club is complaining to AFL incorporated about our change of training areas.

We have to include Casey in that as well, given our home is Gosch's.

 

[Demonland 64,807]

 

[kev martin 9,067]

32 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

Alice Springs in Round 14 is against St Kilda. Saturday night.

We should have an advantage, we know the area and field.

The week before, we play the Bulldogs Saturday, (Metricon), St.Kilda play Brisbane Sunday (Gaba).

Edited August 11, 2020 by kev martin

[Pulp Fritschon 641]

On 8/10/2020 at 2:12 PM, Demonland said:

Melbourne vs Essendon in Alice Springs Round 14?

 

So its the Saints. Another strike for Tom......needs a new dart board 

[titan_uranus 22,351]

6 minutes ago, Pulp Fritschon said:

So its the Saints. Another strike for Tom......needs a new dart board 

Tom Browne is genuinely a terrible journalist, just terrible.

[spirit of norm smith 12,905]

9 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Tom Browne is genuinely a terrible journalist, just terrible.

He’s the master of rumour. He gets about 20% right or 80% wrong. In most jobs, that means you’re terminated !!! 

[titan_uranus 22,351]

So that will be our 8th home game.

In the final 4 rounds we'll have either one or no home games.

Those final four opponents will be GWS, Essendon, Fremantle and Sydney. Essendon has already played all of them, GWS will have played all of them by the time we get there (assuming they stay in Perth and play Fremantle in Round 14) too. So we may not end up in a hub with those clubs all in one city together.

We could therefore find ourselves moving around even more.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

33 minutes ago, Pulp Fritschon said:

So its the Saints. Another strike for Tom......needs a new dart board 

I can just see him squinting through the window at AFL HQ and seeing red and black against a white wall and assumed it was Essendon and not St Kilda.

[In Harmes Way 7,492]

I wonder if not knowing who your opponent is in 2-3 weeks time is causing planning issues for football departments.

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 2,930]

Alice Springs match...you beauty!

[DemonOX 8,530]

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

Tom Browne is genuinely a terrible journalist, just terrible.

If u throw enough darts u are bound to get something right eventually. 

Edited August 11, 2020 by DemonOX

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

2 hours ago, Clintosaurus said:

Alice Springs in Round 14 is against St Kilda. Saturday night.

Huh,.. thought we were playing Essendon in Round 14.

AFL probably saving that game for Round 18 as it might be the decider for a finals spot.

[spirit of norm smith 12,905]

40 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

Huh,.. thought we were playing Essendon in Round 14.

AFL probably saving that game for Round 18 as it might be the decider for a finals spot.

Agree. I think dons v Dees will be in round 18 as a floating round. Might play it as one of the final games of the year. It might decide 8th spot !!!

[Satan 2,728]

Playing in cairns as non bubble side

While Melbourne won't be one of the clubs living in the Cairns hub, sources close to the situation confirmed on Tuesday that the Dees will play at least one match at Cazaly's Stadium later this season.

The AFL is set to release its round 14 fixture in the coming days. The league confirmed on Tuesday that the Demons would play their annual home match in Alice Springs, with Melbourne set to face St Kilda on the night of Saturday, August 29, following on from two matches (Essendon v Richmond and Gold Coast v Carlton) in Darwin the 

[Pates 9,536]

Given the tough financial situation the clubs faced with COVID I wonder whether they tried to push for a second game in Alice. I was very strong on the idea that we play two matches back to back there and that one of the opponents be the bombers. 

Still I’m just really glad it will be happening (touch wood), with it entirely possibly neither Hawks or Roos could get to Tassie this is definitely as much of an advantage we could hope for. 

The next few matches will make or break our season. 

Edited August 11, 2020 by Pates

[titan_uranus 22,351]

We played at 7 different venues in our first 9 games, and with Cairns on the list, we will have played at 9 different venues, at least, in our 17 matches this season.

St Kilda, by comparison? 5 venues so far, a 6th to come.

Adelaide? 3 venues.

[Chelly 740]

7 hours ago, Demon Spofforth said:

Rumours up here in Qld that the Dees, Freo and Swans will be hubbed in Cairns to play Rds 15-16.

I strongly highlight the word 'rumours' until something official is announced as it's a mate of a mate of a mate situation.

Given our recent experience playing games in Darwin, it could be to our advantage compared to Freo/Swans.

But it would make it a fourth hub location since the team left Melbourne - Sydney, Maroochydore, Adelaide, Cairns - which isn't ideal.

Makes sense as we have yet to play either Freo or the Swans. If it turns out that we’re still in the hunt for the finals then playing teams that are close to the bottom and not much to play for can be an advantage.

[Kent 2,581]

So we have Pies Bulldogs and  Saints ahead

Who is left to play?

Swans Essendon Freo  GWS

Surely we can almost win all of these  we are playing good footy and have few injuries and we seem to be a very fit side

12 wins and a couple of finals 

the end to a difficult year Go Dees

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

It's official. We're playing two games in Cairns:   JOINT STATEMENT Premier and Minister for Trade The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation The Honourable Kate Jones Qld Government locks in deal to relocate AFL clubs to Cairns The Palaszczuk Government has locked in a deal with the AFL that will see two clubs relocate to Cairns for a three week period. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans would temporarily relocate their players and staff to Cairns, in a move that will see a number games played at Cazaly stadium during rounds 15-18 of the AFL season. Matches will include both Fremantle and Sydney as well as a number of opponents flying into Cairns, including Melbourne who will themselves play two matches at Cazaly stadium during this period. The Premier said it’s good news for Cairns and the AFL. “We know the Cairns economy has been hit particularly hard by the global pandemic,” the Premier said. “Having two teams plus officials and support staff based in the city provides an obvious economic benefit. “I hope Queenslanders will travel to Cairns to see the teams play and that fans will enjoy seeing the game played in the Tropical North.” Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the deal inked this week would pump millions of dollars into the city’s economy. “This is a first for Cairns. We’ve never seen so many AFL Premiership games here in one season. The eyes of sports fans across Australia and around the world will be on Cairns. This is a huge boost for the local community,” Ms Jones said. “These teams have huge appeal in three of our most important domestic tourism markets. “Having the Dockers and Swans based in Cairns will provide vital publicity for the Far North in the weeks and months to come. “This exposure is vital when it comes to rebuilding our economy and supporting local jobs.” Member for Cairns Michael Healy said today’s announcement would provide a great boost for the region’s economy. “Having these teams relocate to Cairns for three weeks will pump millions of dollars into the local economy and support jobs,” he said. “Setting up Cairns as a hub for Australia’s sports teams will undoubtedly help us in our economic recovery efforts. “Cairns is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit and is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. “The natural beauty of our region will be on show to thousands of footy fans across the country. “We want to ensure that as soon as these people are safe to travel, that they come to our region and spend money locally. Today’s announcement helps us to ensure Cairns remains top-of-mind for domestic tourists.” AFL General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said it was fantastic to return football to Cairns, as well as basing two clubs in the community for a period of time. “We are delighted to be again playing games at Cazaly’s and to have Fremantle and the Sydney Swans staying in Cairns which has such a passionate AFL support base,” he said. “We are really grateful to the support of the Queensland Government for their ongoing support of AFL and their support for ensuring our season has been able to continue as well as the wonderful support of Tourism and Events Queensland and Cairns Regional Council. “We are always excited to bring our games to the north of Queensland, and now for a period of time having teams in the community and contributing to the local economy.” Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the hub would be provide many benefits for the region. “To have these teams based here as part of a Queensland hub has of course immense economic benefits. “Players and club officials will be staying at our hotels and making the use of our facilities – all of which will provide a welcome boost for businesses and also lift community spirits. “It also gives our region increased exposure, not only reaching out to millions of viewers through television screens, but also through the first-hand experiences of these players, which I am sure they will take back home and share with family and friends and supporters back home. “Having the calibre of these sporting teams in our region is a rare opportunity. For youngsters, this will be an inspirational chance to see some of our country’s elite sportspeople in action, and I have no doubt it will entice new fans. “Cairns has an enduring relationship with Tourism and Events Queensland and we are absolutely thrilled to play a part in the spread of AFL teams and games across Queensland this season – especially the Tropical North. There is no better time in the year to be in Cairns and certainly there is no better place outside a metropolitan centre to play elite football.” Between 2011 and 2018 the Gold Coast Suns played one regular season game a year at Cazaly’s Stadium, facing off against the Tigers, the Bulldogs and the Kangaroos in that time. [ENDS]

[Cards13 9,117]

The AFL is lucky it has access to so many grounds while in hubs. The NHL (Ice Hockey) have gone into 2 hubs, 1 venue in each hub, to finish off there season. 6 games a day, 3 in each hub at the same venue. Zero positive teams in the hubs. Has been great so far,  with a "play in round" for some teams to get into the playoffs. A great new concept. 

Big wrinkle today, Blue Jackets vs Lightning in game 1 of there first playoff series. (its best of 7 games series). During the regular season if it is tied at the end of regulation it goes into a 3 on 3 OT, first goal wins for 5 mins each way, then into a 5 person shootout if still no winner.

In the play offs it goes back to Overtime with the first goal wins.... today's first game in the Toronto hub finished 2-2 after regulation and has gone into the 4th overtime period.... its a disaster for the other 2 games to be played after it. Between each game they need 88 mins to fix the ice. The last game won't start until after midnight lol!!!

[old55 21,297]

8 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

The AFL is lucky it has access to so many grounds while in hubs. The NHL (Ice Hockey) have gone into 2 hubs, 1 venue in each hub, to finish off there season. 6 games a day, 3 in each hub at the same venue. Zero positive teams in the hubs. Has been great so far,  with a "play in round" for some teams to get into the playoffs. A great new concept. 

Big wrinkle today, Blue Jackets vs Lightning in game 1 of there first playoff series. (its best of 7 games series). During the regular season if it is tied at the end of regulation it goes into a 3 on 3 OT, first goal wins for 5 mins each way, then into a 5 person shootout if still no winner.

In the play offs it goes back to Overtime with the first goal wins.... today's first game in the Toronto hub finished 2-2 after regulation and has gone into the 4th overtime period.... its a disaster for the other 2 games to be played after it. Between each game they need 88 mins to fix the ice. The last game won't start until after midnight lol!!!

Hope the Zamboni doesn't break down.

[Cards13 9,117]

2 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

Hope the Zamboni doesn't break down.

It would be more exciting that the game, the players are just gassed and can hardly move, Ice is really rough so skills are down.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,089]

Am I right in thinking we are flying in and out of Cairns for both matches? We are not hubbing there.

If so,  that is a big ask along with a trip to Alice. 

[Clintosaurus 6,432]

3 minutes ago, Hell Bent said:

Am I right in thinking we are flying in and out of Cairns for both matches? We are not hubbing there.

If so,  that is a big ask along with a trip to Alice. 

Surely we would play Freo one week, stay in town and play Sydney the week after?

That or play there in Round 15, in Brisbane or Gold Coast Round 16 and Cairns in Round 17.