The AFL insists it would have liked to schedule more blockbuster Brisbane Lions games after the dual reigning premiers were moved largely out of prime-time to begin 2026.
During the first 15 rounds of next season, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Geelong, Adelaide, Fremantle, Gold Coast, as well as non-finalists Carlton and the Western Bulldogs, have more Thursday and Friday night teams than the most dominant team of the decade.
