Last weekend, footy fans saw the Western Bulldogs attempt a Retro Round, bringing back their one-off 2003 guernsey inspired by their traditional 1935 vertical-striped design.
However, it got me thinking that the AFL needs to introduce a true Heritage or Retro Round, with every club wearing specially designed heritage guernseys and, most importantly, playing games at their traditional home grounds.
One thing every AFL fan can't deny is that the best of the best play at venues such as Norwood Oval during Gather Round are a fantastic spectacle. As someone who has attended Gather Round, there is something special about standing beside a small tuck-shop van while watching Jeremy Cameron kick goals.
This is why I believe that, for one weekend each year, every metropolitan Melbourne club should host a game at its traditional home ground as part of a Gather Round-style festival of football in Melbourne.
This round would see games that typically struggle to draw large crowds at the MCG or Marvel Stadium played at the spiritual homes of their respective clubs. It would be a form of fan service that would no doubt generate significant merchandise sales if the AFL fully embraced the retro theme.
The biggest concern surrounding a round like this would be the potential financial losses from reduced attendances. However, given that all of the proposed matchups attract crowds around roughly 20 thousand ordinarily it seems like a no-brainer to find a way to make otherwise forgettable fixtures far more exciting by hosting them at these venues.
There are also countless marketing and merchandising opportunities associated with a Heritage Round. Because of this, I find it hard to believe the AFL would suffer any significant financial loss if the concept were implemented.
Granted, some investment would be required to bring these venues up to AFL standards, as many are not currently equipped to host large crowds. However, these grounds are already being used for AFLW matches, and if the AFL is serious about growing the women's game, improvements to crowd capacity and facilities will eventually be required regardless.
A Heritage Round would be an incredible opportunity for both the AFL and its supporters. It would celebrate the history of the game, reconnect clubs with their traditional homes, create unique merchandise and marketing opportunities, and provide fans with another festival of football alongside Gather Round for games that if hosted at regular venues would feel flat.
Most importantly, it would bring AFL football back to the heartland of the sport, allowing supporters to experience the game in the places where so much of its incredible history was made.
Sunday
Sunday would begin at Arden Street, where North Melbourne would host Brisbane in the early afternoon. Arden Street is already in need of redevelopment, particularly given the success of North Melbourne's AFLW program, which regularly attracts strong crowds. Future upgrades would make the venue suitable for an AFL match as part of this round.
The action would then move north to Windy Hill. Already capable of hosting more than 10,000 spectators, the venue witness Essendon take on Fremantle in the Sunday blockbuster.
Windy Hill remains one of the most historic grounds in AFL history, and Bombers supporters consistently turn out in large numbers for AFLW and VFL matches there. Seeing the senior side return would be a welcome gift for Essendon fans.
Finally, we come to the most difficult fixture to accommodate: Hawthorn versus Greater Western Sydney. While Hawthorn's current facilities are located at the Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley, a true heritage round would demand a return to Glenferrie Oval.
The only realistic way to make this happen would be through the use of temporary grandstands, similar to those used recently in Bunbury for North Melbourne's match against Fremantle.
Temporary seating could be installed around Glenferrie Oval, incorporating the still-standing Michael Tuck Stand and allowing thousands of fans to experience AFL football at one of the sport's most historic venues once again.
