Final round fizzer? Blues, Dons to play another Thursday night
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
14 minutes ago
- The Age
Perfect 10: Demon recovers from brink of defeat to win title
When the going gets tough, Alex de Minaur gets tougher. The Australian became a 10-time champion on the ATP Tour on Monday (AEST), recovering from 5-2 down in the final set of the Washington Open final to outlast childhood rival Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in another performance packed with mental resilience. De Minaur saved three separate championship points in a nerve-jangling, 14-minute service game at 4-5, including a defensive backhand lob that barely touched the sideline on the third of them. He never trailed in the tie-break – but twice handed back mini-break leads – before sealing victory after three hours and two minutes of tense and absorbing tennis that owed to repeatedly brave shot-making in the toughest moments. Loading De Minaur is now only one career title behind Australian greats Patrick Rafter and Mark Philippoussis. He is the fifth Australian to win in Washington, with Nick Kyrgios the most recent in 2019 and 2022. 'I don't know [how I did that]. It's something about this court. I did it in 2018 against [Andrey] Rublev, and honestly, I just kind of knew I could do it,' de Minaur said. 'I just backed myself and told myself to commit, no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms, and today went my way. I've had a couple of brutal ones not go my way, so I'm glad this one [did]. 'I'm very happy with where I am at the moment, [and] how I'm dealing with things on and off the court. I had the mindset that even if today didn't go my way, it was a very positive week, so I was proud of my efforts, no matter what, but, geez, it feels good to hold my 10th title.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Perfect 10: Demon recovers from brink of defeat to win title
When the going gets tough, Alex de Minaur gets tougher. The Australian became a 10-time champion on the ATP Tour on Monday (AEST), recovering from 5-2 down in the final set of the Washington Open final to outlast childhood rival Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in another performance packed with mental resilience. De Minaur saved three separate championship points in a nerve-jangling, 14-minute service game at 4-5, including a defensive backhand lob that barely touched the sideline on the third of them. He never trailed in the tie-break – but twice handed back mini-break leads – before sealing victory after three hours and two minutes of tense and absorbing tennis that owed to repeatedly brave shot-making in the toughest moments. Loading De Minaur is now only one career title behind Australian greats Patrick Rafter and Mark Philippoussis. He is the fifth Australian to win in Washington, with Nick Kyrgios the most recent in 2019 and 2022. 'I don't know [how I did that]. It's something about this court. I did it in 2018 against [Andrey] Rublev, and honestly, I just kind of knew I could do it,' de Minaur said. 'I just backed myself and told myself to commit, no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms, and today went my way. I've had a couple of brutal ones not go my way, so I'm glad this one [did]. 'I'm very happy with where I am at the moment, [and] how I'm dealing with things on and off the court. I had the mindset that even if today didn't go my way, it was a very positive week, so I was proud of my efforts, no matter what, but, geez, it feels good to hold my 10th title.'
7NEWS
14 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Alex de Minaur hailed for classy act immediately after winning epic Washington Open final
Australian Alex de Minaur has been hailed for a classy gesture immediately after winning the Washington Open final in extraordinary circumstances. De Minaur miraculously saved three championship points before defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7 6-1 7-6(3) to capture one of the biggest titles of his career. The seventh seed came back from 2-5 down in the deciding set and saved match points on his own serve at 4-5. Davidovich Fokina was in tears after the match as he struggled to comprehend how he failed to win. As the shattered Spaniard sat on his bench, De Minaur came over and consoled his beaten opponent. He can be seen saying words of encouragement to his rival and putting his arm around his shoulder. Fans quickly praised De Minaur for the move. 'Not sure what you can even say in this moment if you're Alex, but consoling him like this literally makes my heart happy,' one fan said. 'What a guy! Alex,' another said. 'Demon is a class act,' another said. 'All class from Demon. Heartbreaking for ADF for another finals loss. Positive takeaway for ADF is it's only a matter of time till he wins his first career title!' another said. Davidovich Fokina looked set to win the match earlier in the third set, but de Minaur produced his trademark scrambling with an incredible passing shot that came after a miraculous lob that landed right on the line. Seventh seed de Minaur, who lost in straight sets to Germany's Alexander Zverev in the 2018 Washington final, improved to a tour-leading 21 hard-court wins for the season by beating Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the semis. On Monday (AEST), Davidovich Fokina, the Spanish 12th seed, was broken early in the opening set but responded immediately for 2-2. He gained the advantage again in the 11th game before serving it out in 66 minutes. It lit a fire under the Aussie, who went up 3-0 in the second and broke again to take it to a third set. But he dropped serve for 3-1 in the decider, before breaking back when Davidovich Fokina was serving for the championship at 5-3. The 'Demon' went on to claim a breaker littered with unforced errors by his opponent. De Minaur will return to the top 10 in the rankings after reaching the decider. His 42 wins at ATP 500 level since the start of the 2023 season is the most by any player on tour.
