2018 Fixture

[madbluboy]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ga...d71ddf07e8

  FORMER Melbourne skipper Garry Lyon is the latest to vent his anger over the bizarre scheduling confirmed yesterday when the AFL released the 2018 Fixture.

Carlton will play four Friday night games next season — the second most in the league. Grand finalists Adelaide and Richmond have five occasions to shine during primetime, as do the Sydney Swans.

Friday nights are normally blockbusters reserved for the best teams in the league, so gifting the Blues — who finished 16th in 2017 — four chances on the big stage is difficult for many to comprehend. That’s especially so when you consider four of the other bottom five teams from last year don’t feature in Friday night footy at all.

Lyon took a swipe at the AFL, saying Carlton supporters will be “embarrassed” their developing side will play under the AFL’s brightest regular season lights so often.

“If you’re a Carlton supporter, you’d be feeling a bit embarrassed about the fact that your side, on the back of a developing year, is going to appear on four of the marquee Friday night games, as well as the season opener,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“It is a staggering situation that has unfolded here. They averaged 10.5 goals last year the Blues, we all think they could potentially get there in maybe two-to-three years time. Only a few years ago they had six Friday night games and they lost by 69, 75, 77, 60, 30 and 138 points.

“They haven’t improved anywhere near enough to be on the big stage on four occasions. It is the massive blue out of this.

“I know it’s hard, I’m not suggesting for a second that it is easy. I know there are permutations and five-day breaks, six-day breaks and marquee games. I know all of that, but you’ve ended up with Carlton on Friday night footy on four occasions, and that isn’t right.” 
Hawthorn and Melbourne play one Friday night game each and Lyon said the mixed messaging coming out of AFL headquarters was a blight on the game. He rued the fact AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has been consistent in telling teams they need to earn the right to play Friday night footy, only to turn around and hand a struggling Blues outfit four marquee matches.

“The CEO of the AFL has consistently told us over the past two-to-three years you must earn the right to play on Friday night,” Lyon said.

“That has been his message and I agree with it. It has been strong. It means my side (Melbourne) hasn’t deserved to play on Friday night for however many years and you’ve got to accept that. You must earn the right.

“Then I heard him come out and say, potentially, they have a good coach and have shown potential Carlton, therefore they’re on Friday night four times.”

Adding to that hypocrisy was AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld’s reflection on why Richmond was given three Thursday night games in addition to five Friday night clashes after having zero Friday games in 2017.

“We’ve seen it over the last few years where the teams that perform get put into the Thursday/Friday night slots and that changes from year to year,” Travis Auld said.

“So Richmond is the big beneficiary (this year).

“They weren’t exactly rapt when they got dropped off to zero this year ... but the best way to get back into those slots is to start winning.”

Carlton hasn’t been winning much recently, but still finds itself in the prized timeslot.

Auld admitted on Tuesday afternoon four Friday night clashes was too many for the Blues, but said extenuating circumstances had contributed to the scheduling.

“It’s probably one, potentially two, too many but they are early in the season,” he told SEN’s The Run Home.

“Carlton plays those Friday nights in and around the time Richmond, Melbourne, Essendon and Collingwood are playing Anzac Day and Anzac Day eve, so those teams are unavailable for Friday night.

“Therefore it’s fallen Carlton’s way a few times during the period.

“I’m confident they’ll put in a good showing.”

Former St Kilda boss Brian Waldron on Tuesday said Carlton’s four-match gift was “extraordinary”.