AFL Officially Ends Opening Round Experiment After Three Controversial Years
The Australian Football League has made the definitive decision to scrap its much-criticized Opening Round format, marking the end of a three-year experiment that many within the industry have labeled a failure. The controversial soft launch of the season, which preceded the traditional Round 1, will be permanently discontinued following widespread dissatisfaction from multiple stakeholders across the football community.
Industry Figures Declare Opening Round a Complete Failure
Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson delivered the definitive verdict during a recent television appearance, stating unequivocally that "everyone admits that Opening Round was a failure." The declaration came during a discussion on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters program, where fellow journalist Tom Morris questioned whether the format was truly finished.
"Opening Round is dead?" Morris asked directly. Wilson responded with a simple but definitive: "It's dead." When former AFL player Daisy Thomas pressed for confirmation with "Forever?" Wilson confirmed: "Forever." Thomas's one-word response captured the sentiment of many: "Good."
The Problematic History of Opening Round
The Opening Round concept was originally conceived as a strategic initiative to shine a spotlight on Australian Rules football in northern states, particularly New South Wales and Queensland, with the intention of generating early-season momentum. The format exclusively featured clubs from these regions facing Victorian opponents, resulting in just four matches during its inaugural 2024 season.
Those initial games included Sydney versus Melbourne, Brisbane against Carlton, Gold Coast taking on Richmond, and GWS facing Collingwood. However, the experiment encountered immediate difficulties when a cyclone threatened the Queensland coast in 2025, forcing the postponement and rescheduling of matches in that state. The following year saw further complications with the addition of an extra game at the MCG between St Kilda and Collingwood.
Throughout all three seasons, South Australian and Western Australian clubs were conspicuously excluded from participation. This selective approach created scheduling imbalances, with subsequent rounds featuring multiple byes that contributed to what many fans described as a sputtering and disjointed start to the season.
Strategic Consequences and NRL Advantage
Wilson revealed that behind closed doors, the AFL, broadcast partners, and club officials all quietly acknowledged that the failed Opening Round experiment had inadvertently handed their chief competitor, the National Rugby League, a significant advantage. "They gave the NRL a one-month head-start because of the failure of this year's Opening Round," Wilson explained, highlighting the strategic miscalculation.
AFL expert Kane Cornes echoed this assessment, questioning whether league officials recognized their misstep: "They botched it ... do they feel like they botched it?" Wilson confirmed that while this admission was occurring privately, public acknowledgment remained unlikely.
The New Beginning: Hallelujah Round 1
With Opening Round officially consigned to history, the AFL has developed plans for a completely revamped season launch in 2027. Wilson disclosed that the league intends to rebrand the traditional season opener as "Hallelujah Round 1," signaling a fresh start and a return to conventional scheduling.
The 2027 season is scheduled to commence approximately two weeks later than usual, potentially beginning on Thursday, March 18. This adjustment results from scheduling conflicts with a day-night Ashes Test match at the MCG that could extend until the Monday preceding the proposed season start. "So we know the season's starting two weeks later. We know it's going to be called Hallelujah Round 1. It's not going to be called Opening Round," Wilson clarified.
Complex Scheduling Challenges Ahead
The transition away from Opening Round creates immediate complications for the 2027 fixture. Wilson highlighted several logistical hurdles, including potential ground availability issues for clubs like GWS due to the Sydney Royal Easter Show coinciding with the early Easter period. Additionally, MCG officials have informed the AFL that preparing the stadium for a Thursday game would be impossible if the Ashes Test extends to Monday.
"The MCG have told the AFL they cannot get the ground ready by Thursday if the Test goes all the way to Monday," Wilson reported. While Channel 7's chief cricket reporter Tom Morris suggested a pink-ball Test wouldn't last five days, Wilson emphasized that fixture planners cannot gamble on Test match outcomes when constructing the schedule in October.
As a precautionary measure, the AFL is considering a Friday season opener or potentially even a Wednesday start. Wilson indicated the league wants nine games with blockbuster matches at the MCG to properly launch the new season format.
Tradition and Innovation in Season Launch
In another significant departure from tradition, Wilson revealed that the AFL is considering replacing the long-standing Richmond versus Carlton season opener with a grand final rematch. This nearly two-decade tradition of the Tigers-Blues clash opening the season at the MCG on Thursday night appears destined for change as the league seeks to create new marquee events.
Further complicating the 2027 landscape, a State of Origin game is scheduled for the week following the Ashes Test at the MCG. Wilson confidently predicted this match would be hosted in Western Australia, though she noted the participating states remain "disputed" with "everyone" wanting to compete against Victoria.
Compensation and Future Considerations
The elimination of Opening Round has prompted the AFL to develop compensatory measures for affected states. Wilson disclosed that "other sweeteners will come into the Gather Round deal," including substantial investments in South Australian football beyond existing SANFL contributions. This recognition comes as Queensland's participation numbers have surpassed those in South Australia.
Gather Round could occur as early as Round 3 or Round 4 in the revised schedule, with Easter weekend likely designated as Round 2. The grand final is expected to maintain its October timing, completing a season that will look fundamentally different from the Opening Round era that has now officially concluded.
