The start time for this year's traditional Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood has been pushed back five minutes to ensure any overlap with the Hawthorn and Gold Coast match in Tasmania is minimised.
The Tasmanian Government's Anzac Day Observance Act 1929 states no sport, "where a fee or charge is made for admission", is to start before 12.30pm on April 25.
The Hawks and Suns were set to kick off at 12:15pm (AEST) at UTAS Stadium, but under the Tasmania law, it has been pushed to a centre ball-up at 12:32pm (AEST).
As a result, the Pies and Bombers will also begin slightly later than initially anticipated to ensure no there are no broadcasting issues, as the AFL aligns itself with the Anzac Day rule.
Collingwood and Essendon will get underway at 3:20pm (AEST) at the MCG.
"Due to legislative requirements in Tasmania on ANZAC Day we have adjusted the start time of the Hawthorn v Gold Coast SUNS match," AFL Head of Scheduling, Josh Bowler said.
"Subsequently as a result of this change, to minimise the overlap between that match and the MCG match, we've further adjusted the start time to 3.20pm, previously 3.15pm."
The Tasmania law also applies to shops, with no retailer or stores to open before 12:30pm.
The AFL 2026 fixture was released in November last year, and this latest slip-up isn't the only issue that has emerged this season.
On Friday, the league scheduled a double-header, preventing Geelong and the Western Bulldogs free air (7:20pm AEST), with the Sydney Derby between the Swans and GWS beginning 30 minutes later.
The same will occur in Round 8, when the Showdown will clash with the Bulldogs hosting Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Friday, May 1.
