Final round fizzer? Blues, Dons to play another Thursday night

Essendon and Carlton will be handed one final match in the coveted, prime-time Thursday-night slot in round 24 when the AFL finalises its contentious floating fixture.

The league is strongly considering pairing the clash between Port Adelaide versus Gold Coast on the same night. It will be Ken Hinkley’s final game as Power coach.

The Bombers and Blues have played a string of matches on Thursday and Friday nights in the second half of the season as they both spiralled out of finals contention, leaving their fans disappointed and creating a number of one-sided contests in the marquee free-to-air TV timeslot.

There have been some Friday-night double-headers this season, and it will happen again this week when Essendon play the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney take on Sydney. But the round 24 proposal on August 21 would be the first instance of a Thursday double-up.

Why more of both Essendon and Carlton in a prime Thursday or Friday slot, given their underwhelming form, absence from finals contention and the Bombers’ casualty ward of injured players?

On this occasion, the AFL has arguably little choice, due to the postponed game between Gold Coast and Essendon, which is expected to be played the week after, on the Wednesday of the pre-finals bye week. That week is also earmarked for a series of league-wide functions, including the announcement of the All-Australian team, players’ MVP and coaches’ award.

AFL officials confirmed to this masthead that the scheduling of Gold Coast v Essendon – the game postponed from opening round, due to the cyclone that struck Queensland in March – created the need to give both teams the maximum break possible before the postponed game on the Gold Coast.

If Essendon are to play Carlton on the Thursday, the Bombers will have a six-day break before their game against the Suns.