AFL urged to adopt regular Thursday night fixtures

BROWNLOW medallist Gerard Healy has said he believes Thursday night footy must become a permanent fixture.

After five rounds of Thursday night clashes to start the 2023 season, the next Thursday night clash comes in round 13 with Sydney facing St Kilda in seven weeks’ time.

While he originally thought scarcity on Thursday night benefitted the product, even AFL executive Travis Auld admitted the case was now “too compelling” for the competition to not put games on the weeknight every round.

With just 11 of the first 18 rounds having Thursday night football, Healy said the night is now truly considered one where the AFL takes centre stage.

“We are back to the traditional Thursday night where we sit around and wait for the teams to come out, as had been the case for 100 years or so,” Healy told SEN’s Sportsday.

“Teams may have been the highlight of Thursday night, but Thursday night has evolved slowly but surely into a game night.

“The first five rounds in 2023 is as good a start to a season that I can remember and it’s included and started always on Thursday night.

“Thankfully, it looks like it’s going to become a permanent fixture.”

While the AFL only plan on introducing permanent Thursday fixtures when the new broadcast deal kicks, Healy said he can’t understand why the competition would wait as hosting games on the night is a win-win for fans as well as giving games clear air.

“I’m not sure why we’re going to wait for the new broadcast agreement to kick in,” he said.

“The AFL have been slow on the uptake, but better late than never.

“I know that not everyone is a fan, but the game has evolved, the rhythm of the football week has evolved, and Thursday will soon be the starting point.

“That means the ridiculous crossover games we get on Saturday night and Sunday will be reduced by at least one.

“It’s a win-win for mine.”

Healy’s co-host Kane Cornes agreed, describing having no Thursday night football as a “big miss”.

“We did get accustomed to it and it does become part of the schedule and the roster,” Cornes said.

“I haven’t seen too many people disagree that it shouldn’t be a permanent part of the landscape.”

– BY LACHLAN GELEIT/ SEN