The 2027 AFL fixture has thrown up some unusual twists, with Round 1 featuring a series of quirks that could easily go unnoticed at first glance.
Much has already been made of the Richmond-Carlton shunting from the traditional Thursday night primetime slot, with the pair of Victorian powerhouses moved to Saturday afternoon on the opening weekend of the season.
The Tigers were adamant in their statement that the unusual scheduling, which is a first since 2007, was signed under a "one-year arrangement", and they'll push to return to Thursday night in 2028.
But when Sydney and Geelong were announced as the first game of the new season on Wednesday, it certainly raised eyebrows. However, the Wednesday night fixture has been seen before. In fact, twice this century.
In 2000, to open the AFL season into the new millennium, Melbourne and Richmond faced off at the MCG on Wednesday, March 8, in front of 41,648 supporters.
The Demons were once again involved in the Wednesday fixture 22 years after their drought-breaking premiership in 2021. The proud Victorian club battled with fellow grand finalist, the Western Bulldogs, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
The Swans' opener against the Cats makes it four consecutive years the Bloods have started an AFL season, largely due to the Opening Round concept.
Geelong's trip to the SCG for the Wednesday night opener means the club is set to enjoy a 12-day break before the annual Easter Monday clash against Hawthorn the following round.
The non-Victorian start to the 2027 season, beginning at the SCG on Wednesday and then Optus Stadium (Western Australia) on Thursday, was due to the MCG's unavailability because of the 150th Anniversary cricket Test between Australia and England on March 11-15.
However, the AFL has slotted in four games at the hallowed turf within 48 hours, including a Saturday double-header. Friday night will showcase Hawthorn and Brisbane in a preliminary final match before the mooted Blues-Tigers Saturday afternoon clash.
Collingwood and St Kilda supporters will filter into the MCG once Carlton and Richmond fans have exited for a night clash before Melbourne and Essendon return to the stadium for a Sunday clash.
The Saints and Pies welcomed their 2026 campaign against each other in Opening Round, and will do so again, albeit in the favoured Round 1.
The MCG hosted two games on the same day in round 23 last August and will do so again for just the second time since 1986 (barring COVID-19 implications).
Gold Coast and West Coast will renew pleasantries for the third consecutive year in Round 1. The pair of clubs make the long-winded airborne trip to begin the season, with the Suns heading west this time around.
North Melbourne and Port Adelaide will clash to kick-start their seasons, which is what they did in 2026 at Marvel Stadium, ironically in the same Sunday early afternoon time slot.
