Source : ABC NEWS
AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley insists the league’s polarising Opening Round is here to stay, declaring it crucial to the competition’s growth in northern markets.
Sydney will host the season opener for the third-straight year, entertaining Carlton at the SCG on March 5.
Gold Coast, GWS and the Brisbane Lions will also host matches in week one for the third successive season, while a St Kilda-Collingwood clash has been added on the Sunday night.
The former Swans chief executive, who started his new role at the AFL in October, backed the concept despite its detractors calling for a regular full round of fixtures to open the season.
“I think it’s unbelievably important, and I’m looking forward to the day when we don’t talk about traditional states and non-footy states,” Harley said.
“The two games they (Sydney) have had to open the season have been enormous, which then leads into really strong membership and attendance, and that’s just the one club.
“I see it as your classic win-win. It’s a week that wasn’t there. The reality is a lot of the grounds aren’t available at that time of year, and it does provide enormous momentum for, let’s call it, 58 per cent of the population that lives north of the Murray [River].
“If we truly want to be Australia’s game, I think it’s a fantastic initiative.”
The Saints-Magpies clash at the MCG falls on the same day as the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park.
Harley denied having a fixture in Melbourne during Opening Round defeated the purpose by taking focus away from the northern markets.
“I don’t think so at all,” he said.
“Everyone whetted their appetite clearly on the weekend with the [State of Origin] game in Perth.
“The game on Thursday night up in Sydney, followed by the Suns and Cats on the Friday night, they are big games with big clubs.
“I’m sure everyone will be excited by them.”
Harley said the league will continue to experiment with the fixture in coming seasons, with the planned introduction of the Tasmania Devils in 2028.
“We’re keen to look at events, whether they be singular games or whole rounds like Gather Round, to help grow the game and bring new fans to the game,” he said.
Harley also believes State of Origin has a “really exciting future” after the Western Australia-Victoria clash attracted a sell-out crowd at Optus Stadium and a healthy television audience.
“There’s clearly an appetite. In terms of what it looks like [in future], let’s breathe out and assess,” he said.
“What I think we can confidently say is there’s a place for it.”
AAP
