Wednesday night Dees-Dogs opener

The AFL is expected to release the first nine rounds of its men’s 2022 fixture next week with an opening round that features a grand final rematch between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs on the MCG as the season opener on the Wednesday night.

Now that it’s official - your thoughts?

It’s been the subject of conjecture for well over a month and the club asked for it in the first place.

 I’m in favour of it - we deserve the additional blockbuster match because of what we’ve lost in the past couple of years. As for having to play against the Bulldogs who will be hungry for a win to offset the humiliation of the grand final, I say bring it on. We’re now the hunted, not the hunter and we have to learn how to deal with that!

Carlton fans angry at losing the season opener.

 I like that 👍 

I don't like it. The club should want as many fans at the G as possible when we unfurl the flag. Playing on Wednesday night will deter some people and reduce crowd numbers i reckon. There'll be plenty of time for blockbusters during the rest of the season.

I'm going to look on the bright though. At least its not on a Monday night

55 minutes ago, BDA said:

I don't like it. The club should want as many fans at the G as possible when we unfurl the flag. Playing on Wednesday night will deter some people and reduce crowd numbers i reckon. There'll be plenty of time for blockbusters during the rest of the season.

I'm going to look on the bright though. At least its not on a Monday night

You don't think we'll get 80,000 MFC fans to this game to watch us unveil the flag for the first time in 57 years?

Sunday will be great for everyone who can make it, but I'd be going to this Rd 1. game if it was played underwater at Timbucktoo at 4:00am on a Monday morning.

Edited December 3, 20213 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

I'm actually not so sure about playing the dogs fist up, as I'd probably rather us both have at least 3 or 4 games under our belts Into the new season, to build both form and anticipation of the game, but I can also live with playing them first up in Rd 1.

It's a no loose situation for us really though.  We win the game and all MFC supporters will go home happy that we've unveiled the flag and got a win first up to maintain our dominance and kick off the new season on the right foot.  We loose and it's like 'meh, we won the one that counts and we're the premier's.  I'd much rather win mind you and should we subsequently loose games in the following rounds, a round one loss would be more consequential.

Still, a big pressure game for both teams first up to kick things off.

Edited December 3, 20213 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

9 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

You don't think we'll get 80,000 MFC fans to this game

I don't know for sure but i reckon it'll have an impact. There is a reason why games aren't played on a Wednesday night. People have to work on the following day. I'm an early riser and typically getting into the work day from 6.30am. I have to be pretty clear headed as well so no beers for me.

The thing i don;t get Balls, is why it has to be Wednesday night. Why aren't we in the Friday night slot? As premiers we should have dibs on that slot but instead it's given to Collingwood? Why can't they play on the Wednesday night? 

Edited December 3, 20213 yr by BDA

Friday night would have been my preference. Easier coming from country Victoria at the end of the week and I imagine the crowd would be a lot bigger. Footy fans in general will again be let down by the Carlton-Richmond snorefest and be ready for some real action! Perfect time to unfurl the flag!

 

I love it.  Our Club proposed the fixture on behalf of us members, and the AFL agreed.  We are starting to call some shots.  We are starting to be heard!

37 minutes ago, BDA said:

I don't know for sure but i reckon it'll have an impact. There is a reason why games aren't played on a Wednesday night. People have to work on the following day. I'm an early riser and typically getting into the work day from 6.30am. I have to be pretty clear headed as well so no beers for me.

The thing i don;t get Balls, is why it has to be Wednesday night. Why aren't we in the Friday night slot? As premiers we should have dibs on that slot but instead it's given to Collingwood? Why can't they play on the Wednesday night? 

Yeah, cool.  I get that perspective too.  Saturday afternoon would have been my preference, following that Friday night.

Guessing the AFL and the club also have their eye on the TV audience.  Not sure what the calculation is there Wednesday Vs Friday, but I'I'm guessing in their drive to Amercanize our sport and maximize cash, pretty much anything goes.  I'm just hoping that things will return to a Saturday afternoon GF at the MCG again from 2022 onwards.

Obviously Friday is easier on most people but I do really like the idea of kicking off the season. I’ve never understood why Carlton and Richmond get the season opener every year. Clearly that is an honour that should be given to the previous season premiers so that every year we start the season by unfurling the flag.

One thing I do like is starting the season against another side who has had the same shortened preseason as we have. I know Burgo thinks that preseason is too long but very often premiership playing sides start off a little slower than others due to the later start they have to the preseason.

Edited December 3, 20213 yr by FlashInThePan

I'll be going just to see a live game for the first time in about 2 years and ......of course... the historic unfurling of the flag.

However, to be honest, the midweek time frame just plain [censored] me !!!

It is a stinker.

Where is Equal Opportunity for Seniors and Young Families.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays just aren’t “footy days.” We should’ve got the coveted Friday night slot. 

1 hour ago, BDA said:

I don't know for sure but i reckon it'll have an impact. There is a reason why games aren't played on a Wednesday night. People have to work on the following day. I'm an early riser and typically getting into the work day from 6.30am. I have to be pretty clear headed as well so no beers for me.

The thing i don;t get Balls, is why it has to be Wednesday night. Why aren't we in the Friday night slot? As premiers we should have dibs on that slot but instead it's given to Collingwood? Why can't they play on the Wednesday night? 

Aren’t the pies playing at Marvel?

Jeezus first game of the season against the top two sides at the G, we asked for it we got it, we will be there to see the unfurling of our much sort after Premiership Flag after 57 years in the wilderness. We will be in the Spotlight and the Boys will be raring to go, can’t wait to sit in our seats again surrounded by happy familiar faces.!!!😀❤️💙

1 hour ago, Jontee said:

It is a stinker.

Where is Equal Opportunity for Seniors and Young Families.

They just need to have a good afternoon nap.

This is a big occation.  Any MFC parent that doesn't let their kids go to this arn't a real supporter.  My kids will be there with all their cousins.  One day they will tell their kids they were there when the MFC unveiled it's first flag in 57 years.

...and any boss that sacks their worker for not turning up the next day is a bum!! 😜

Edited December 4, 20213 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Better than a Sunday afternoon against Gold Coast in front of 17 people. 

Sorry not a fan of weeknights except for Fridays or Anzac Round. Saturday afternoon would have been ideal.

You’d think we would have the lions share of the crowd on a Wednesday night. I’m thinking the atmosphere would be like the Geelong Elim final in 2018. Once you’re surrounded by that, it won’t matter what day it is.

Thinking about the Club and not individuals:

* Opening match to the Season.  We get all the efforts of the AFL and Ch7 marketing and exposure to sponsors.

* Sole coverage on FTA that night.

* Get to raise the Premiership flag at the opening match of the season, not after it has started

* If we beat the 2nd best team again, other sides will be taking a collective breath after what we did to them previously.

* We will be positioned post this game for subsequent Thurs- Friday night games in Rounds 2 & 3.  More FTA coverage....= more sponsor interest and income.

 

 

The idea is definitely growing on me. Fancy having around four months to play the last time they met over and over again and then reliving the sequel in person?

7 hours ago, Phil C said:

Better than a Sunday afternoon against Gold Coast in front of 17 people. 

I don’t know - it would be good to watch it from your car parked around the boundary.

No chance for me to get there from Tamworth mid week - might have got there for a Saturday game

I don’t like it but I’ll be there with bells on.