AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley insists the addition of a Melbourne blockbuster enhances Opening Round despite it straying from the round\u2019s initial purpose.<\/p>\n
The AFL introduced Opening Round in 2024 as an opportunity to launch the season in the northern states.<\/p>\n
But this season\u2019s Opening Round will feature St Kilda and Collingwood at the MCG on the Sunday night.<\/p>\n
Harley, who took up his role late last season, rejects that the clash defeats the purpose of spotlighting the game in Queensland and NSW.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so, I think it adds to it,\u201d Harley said at an Auskick promotion alongside Hawthorn stars Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan, Ash Centra (Collingwood) and Jasmyn Smith (Western Bulldogs).<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting access to facilities at that time of the year is really tricky. It\u2019s a long weekend in Melbourne, so the Sunday night slot will be great to showcase opportunity for the Saints.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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 \u2026 they\u2019re big games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harley was previously Sydney\u2019s chief executive for six seasons, including during the difficult Covid years.<\/p>\n
He says the Opening Round initiative is an immediate boost to attendance and membership drive for the states north of the Victorian border.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s unbelievably important and I am looking forward to the day we don\u2019t talk about traditional states and non-footy states,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJack and Nick would\u2019ve played in Opening Round against the Swans last year on the Friday night and the two games they\u2019ve had to open the season have been enormous, which then leads into really strong membership and attendance and that\u2019s just one club, so I see it as your classic win-win.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is a lot of the grounds aren\u2019t available at this time of the year and it does provide enormous momentum for 58 per cent of the population north of the Murray.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you truly want to be Australia\u2019s game, I think it\u2019s a fantastic imitative.\u201d<\/p>\n