‘They’ll be happy’: AFL boss defends controversial finals fixture amid club frustration

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has shone a light on the AFL’s finals fixturing decisions after recent reports suggested a pair of clubs were disappointed.

According to various reports, the Western Bulldogs were disappointed to have their elimination final scheduled on the same evening that their AFLW side returns to their spiritual home at the revamped Mission Whitten Oval.

Dogs fans will have to choose between attending the club’s blockbuster elimination final or supporting their AFLW side, which has understandably frustrated the club and its supporters.

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But Dillon defended the fixturing decisions on Monday night, that reportedly frustrated the Dogs and Swans.

“I’ve spoken to most of the clubs today and I don’t think anyone’s disappointed to be in finals,” Dillon told AFL360 on Monday night.

“Our fixturing team do an incredible job and the way that round 24 landed, you couldn’t have scripted it. The team take into account attendance, broadcast, days breaks, what weeks two and three are going to look like and ultimately, we consult with the clubs and the venues.

“Clubs have a view of what’s best but when it’s all said and done, they’re really happy to be there.”

The AFL have scheduled the elimination final between the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn for Friday night in what promises to be a spectacular event.

The two sides are arguably the two most in-form teams of the competition as we embark on the finals series, which will be Hawthorn’s first since 2018.

“When we get to Friday week and we have close to 90,000 people at the MCG we’ll know that that was the right fit,” Dillon said.

“Those are the sides who came sixth and seventh and will play either two or three, so days breaks were important.

“If you’ve played finals before you know how important the days break are.”

AFL360 co-host Gerard Whateley questioned why the Sydney Derby, featuring minor premiers Sydney, was not scheduled for the Friday night time slot.

“They’re all in for Saturday afternoon, it’s going to be a cracking game with GWS… there’s a bit of a storied finals history between those two teams,” Dillon said.

The Swans get a home final at the SCG and a double chance as their reward for a spectacular season and Dillon said they would also benefit in the long run, should they win their qualifying final.

“The way we’ve structured it, if you win that first final you do get the Friday prelim going into the grand final and get an extra days break,” he said.

“At the end of a gruelling season and a tough finals campaign, that’s how it sits for the minor premier.”