Richmond great Matthew Richardson and journalist Sam McClure have butted heads over the AFL’s approach to scheduling matches.
The AFL releases its schedule in batches with the fixtures for rounds 16-23 to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
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That led to a debate between Richardson and McClure on 3AW radio show Wide World of Sports, with the pair holding quite differing views on when draws should be released.
McClure believes knowing a draw four weeks in advance is enough time for people to plan trips to watch their team, a suggestion that was ridiculed by Richardson and subsequently plenty of people on social media.
“So the fixtures for rounds 16 to 23 are set to be released next Tuesday,” McClure began in a debate you can see in the video below.
“I still don’t know why we have to give 15 weeks’ notice at the start of the season.”
“Why?” Richardson replied.
“It makes no sense. We only need to give, I would give eight weeks, I’m happy to take 10,” The Age and Nine Network reporter replied.
“I understand why,” Richardson said. “You need a bit of time, supporters want to go and support their team.”
“They don’t need three months,” McClure stated.
“A lot of people plan further ahead Sam,” Richardson shot back.
“Richo, people are going to have to adapt unfortunately, because this is the way that sport is going,” McClure insisted.
“People need more time Sam with families to run.”
“You can have a month,” the journo replied. “You can have a month.”
“Come off it Sam. You need more than four weeks.”
The debate appeared to be bothering McClure, whose voice rose a few octaves when he asked: “How long do you want?”
“I reckon eight weeks is minimum,” Richo said. “To plan your life and to sort out a few days off work.”
Fans commenting on social media all seemed to agree with Richardson’s take.
“100% Richo. Planning flights, work, kids … only one person making sense here,” was one comment.
“With the cost of living for most families, a trip from interstate to Melbourne to watch footy may be their big family holiday for the year. It definitely was when I was growing up,” wrote another.
“I’m required to put in a request for annual leave at least 8 weeks prior. And longer if it’s during peak times,” added a third.
Other fans were keen to point out the difficulties in finding flights, which often need to be booked well in advance to get to interstate matches.
“Fans need months in advance to organise time off and get cheap flights/accommodation,” wrote one fan.
“Makes no sense? To you? Oh how lucky your football games don’t need to be planned. Lucky you don’t have an 8hr round trip which generally means time booked off work. At least Richo is in touch with the real world,” was another comment.
“Try booking a flight to anywhere at 4 weeks notice. Probably won’t get a seat at the day (or) time you want to fly and then get ripped off because of the dynamic pricing,” suggested another.
The AFL typically releases the match-ups in advance, doing so in November last year for the 2024 season, but only confirmed dates and times up to round 15.
It then tweaks games to get the best performing teams into the blockbuster timeslots, including Friday night.
Round 16 this year is due to fall on the weekend commencing June 24, while this year the last week of games, in Round 24, are being held as a floating fixture.
It’s a fairly unique approach as many professional leagues around the world release full fixtures prior to the start of each season.