Melbourne is likely to secure at least three marquee contests in the first six weeks of the 2022 season with the league open to the Demons playing a Round 1 premiership replay against the Western Bulldogs.

Playing on the Friday of Round 1 would also put the Demons in the box seat to play on the Thursday of Round 2 given the league could schedule them off a six-day break.

Given they play Richmond in Round 6, they could play the Tigers’ Round 1 opponent Carlton on the Thursday of Round 2.

Last year Collingwood played the Dogs on the Friday of Round 1 and then Carlton on the Thursday of Round 2.

 

i think we were generously reward 2nd half of last year as well. We played most of our games at night from memory. 

Still think we should get the privilege to kick start the season.

We'll have to find something else to do on Sunday afternoons.

It's not just that we're reigning Premiers, but there are two other reasons why Channel 7 is likley to want us on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Firstly, we play an attractive brand of football that people like to watch. Secondly (and related to the first), we're one of the highest goal scoring teams which allows for more ad breaks during play.

18 minutes ago, Emerald said:

We'll have to find something else to do on Sunday afternoons.

We will also get to spend Mothers day with the family.

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

We will also get to spend Mothers day with the family.

Even if we cop Mother’s Day next year I’m sure all the Mums out there will give their Demon tragics a leave pass given how much footy we’ve missed lately!

Can definitely handle a Friday and Thursday night to open the season. Also hoping for plenty of Saturday arvo games as you can’t beat going to the MCG during that time slot IMO.

Our sponsors will love it!

I think the clubs fortunes will now accelerate due to increased members, attendances and sponsorships but the must never forget the members who stood by the club through the period from 1964 to 2021.

Edited October 21, 20214 yr by durango

Win these early games on Prime Time and we will be Rocking 75,000 Members 

Sponsors will be ringing us

1 hour ago, Emerald said:

We'll have to find something else to do on Sunday afternoons.

Might have to watch cellar dwellers Hawks play Pies

Dare I get excited about not making the trip to Mordor in 2022?

*not that I think we wouldn’t win

It seems completely just and appropriate that after a 9 month wait for live football the season should kick off with a Thursday night blockbuster featuring….

12th vs 13th 🤷‍♂️

Why is this a thing? It also predetermines that those 2 clubs get prime time slots for weeks after that due to break requirements. It’s beyond boring.

We are playing Carlton in round 2. Thursday Night.

2 hours ago, Emerald said:

We'll have to find something else to do on Sunday afternoons.

What no more mid winter 3:15pm starts at a frigid MCG?

What will I do with myself?

Maybe watch the replay of our prime time game.

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

We will also get to spend Mothers day with the family.

Swings and roundabouts

1 hour ago, The heart beats true said:

Why is this a thing? It also predetermines that those 2 clubs get prime time slots for weeks after that due to break requirements. It’s beyond boring.

Can't believe they're persisting with this godawful matchup to start the season, year after year. When was the last time these two teams had a close match? When was the last time both were even contenders in the same year?

Compare that to proven rivalries like Geelong v Hawks, which have yielded some cracking matches regardless of ladder position.

The season should start on a Friday and the first game should always be the Grand Final rematch. Have a Friday double-header if you want to make an event of it, but this Thursday matchup is a proven dud.

Edited October 22, 20214 yr by SaberFang

I think I'll get in early and cancel the chalet booking

4 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

Can't believe they're persisting with this godawful matchup to start the season, year after year. When was the last time these two teams had a close match? When was the last time both were even contenders in the same year?

Compare that to proven rivalries like Geelong v Hawks, which have yielded some cracking matches regardless of ladder position.

The season should start on a Friday and the first game should always be the Grand Final rematch. Have a Friday double-header if you want to make an event of it, but this Thursday matchup is a proven dud.

As long as the AFL remains committed to Hawthorn v Geelong on Easter Monday and the two ANZAC Day/eve games, a Grand Final rematch can't always be the season opener. Those games mean it's impossible to commit to the Grand Final replay as the first game in case it's Hawthorn v Geelong, Essendon v Collingwood or Melbourne v Richmond because within weeks they'd be playing again.  In fact, Easter Monday can be as early as Round 1.

28 minutes ago, Sean Balor said:

We are playing Carlton in round 2. Thursday Night.

They get an armchair ride every year with the timeslots - this time every year people say "they'll be much better next year".

I loved how (due to covid) the prime time matches were selected as the season went on - rewards the clubs winning and playing an attractive game style.  Was hoping this was one of the covid changes that could continue

33 minutes ago, Sean Balor said:

We are playing Carlton in round 2. Thursday Night.

And at the end of it Carltank Supporters will be livid with the first two insipid loses and want to sack the board, coach, players and anything else in the way!!

3 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

It's not just that we're reigning Premiers, but there are two other reasons why Channel 7 is likley to want us on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Firstly, we play an attractive brand of football that people like to watch. Secondly (and related to the first), we're one of the highest goal scoring teams which allows for more ad breaks during play.

And more frustration for me.

50 minutes ago, binman said:

What no more mid winter 3:15pm starts at a frigid MCG?

Agree but I did like the 1:30pm starts in the winter sunshine with half a stand to myself

O well... progress

1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Agree but I did like the 1:30pm starts in the winter sunshine with half a stand to myself

O well... progress

With luck DJ we will be able to get to more Casey games.

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Dare I get excited about not making the trip to Mordor in 2022?

*not that I think we wouldn’t win

You can add a trip down to there to the established 2 certainties in life.

Just because we won a flag and Collingwood almost won the spoon, you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll be sent to Geelong before them.

5 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

You can add a trip down to there to the established 2 certainties in life.

Just because we won a flag and Collingwood almost won the spoon, you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll be sent to Geelong before them.

We have to give Geelong the chance to have a blockbuster.

Any team, anywhere anytime.