BROWNLOW medallist Gerard Healy has said he believes Thursday night footy must become a permanent fixture.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
While he originally thought scarcity on Thursday night benefitted the product, even AFL executive Travis Auld admitted the case was now \u201ctoo compelling\u201d for the competition to not put games on the weeknight every round.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Healy told SEN\u2019s Sportsday.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeams may have been the highlight of Thursday night, but Thursday night has evolved slowly but surely into a game night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThankfully, it looks like it’s going to become a permanent fixture.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the AFL only plan on introducing permanent Thursday fixtures when the new broadcast deal kicks, Healy said he can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure why we\u2019re going to wait for the new broadcast agreement to kick in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe AFL have been slow on the uptake, but better late than never.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means the ridiculous crossover games we get on Saturday night and Sunday will be reduced by at least one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a win-win for mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Healy\u2019s co-host Kane Cornes agreed, describing having no Thursday night football as a \u201cbig miss\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did get accustomed to it and it does become part of the schedule and the roster,\u201d Cornes said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven’t seen too many people disagree that it shouldn’t be a permanent part of the landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n