AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley insists the addition of a Melbourne blockbuster enhances Opening Round despite it straying from the round’s initial purpose.

The AFL introduced Opening Round in 2024 as an opportunity to launch the season in the northern states.

But this season’s Opening Round will feature St Kilda and Collingwood at the MCG on the Sunday night.

Harley, who took up his role late last season, rejects that the clash defeats the purpose of spotlighting the game in Queensland and NSW.

“I don’t think so, I think it adds to it,” Harley said at an Auskick promotion alongside Hawthorn stars Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan, Ash Centra (Collingwood) and Jasmyn Smith (Western Bulldogs).

“Getting access to facilities at that time of the year is really tricky. It’s a long weekend in Melbourne, so the Sunday night slot will be great to showcase opportunity for the Saints.

“The key part is that I think everyone clearly whet their appetite with the game in Perth. The game on Thursday night up in Sydney followed up by the Suns and Cats … they’re big games.”

Harley was previously Sydney’s chief executive for six seasons, including during the difficult Covid years.

He says the Opening Round initiative is an immediate boost to attendance and membership drive for the states north of the Victorian border.

“I think it’s unbelievably important and I am looking forward to the day we don’t talk about traditional states and non-footy states,” he said.

“Jack and Nick would’ve played in Opening Round against the Swans last year on the Friday night and the two games they’ve had to open the season have been enormous, which then leads into really strong membership and attendance and that’s just one club, so I see it as your classic win-win.

“The reality is a lot of the grounds aren’t available at this time of the year and it does provide enormous momentum for 58 per cent of the population north of the Murray.

“If you truly want to be Australia’s game, I think it’s a fantastic imitative.”

Originally published as AFL defends decision to add MCG game to Opening Round 2026