2006 fixture

[Charlie]

Originally posted by Thunder Shaker
It could be, but remember the AFL draw for the next season is based on the ladder after round 15.

This would explain why the opening match of the season is West Coast vs St Kilda, and Adelaide play West Coast in round 2. These would have been likely Grand Final match ups as of round 15. We play none of the other three of this year's top four sides until round 11.

Except that the AFL has discretionary power over the software, even after the GF. The AFL could have specified a Sydney vs West Coast opener if they wanted.

Overall, it's our best draw for years. There's some minor disappointments - such as playing away from home in round one and only having Geelong, Brisbane and Collingwood at Homebush (will be very lucky to get a 40,000 average for these games).

Generally, though, I'd be very disappointed if we couldn't finish top two with that draw. We've been offered a huge shot at back-to-back flags.

[liz]

Agree that it looks to be a very good draw.

My major disappointment is that we don't get to play the Wiggles at the SCG - I love reading WC supporters go on and on and on about the injustice of having to play football on a postage stamp.

[sydneyswans1989]

WOW The AFL have done sumthing good to sydney for once, thats a great fixture for us except that the melbourne games should be spread around alot more, too many have been placed before round 10 i reckon but besides that its all good.

[BonBon]

Guys, I got my wish granted. A Melbourne game before Rd 7!

[Troy G]

I'd hate to do the draw but it's disappointing that we don't play West Coast at the SCG, but the less 1.10pm games the better I reckon.

On a lighter note, I know many people of both sexes that'll be very disappointed that Hawthorn and West Coast are coming here! []

[FredFlintstone]

The Draw for 2005 looks pretty impressive i must say, love the fact that there has been an increase in Saturday night games(best atmosphere) and less Sunday Arvo games is great(apologies but i do not like the earlier start and hopefully channels 10/7 will get the tv rights in 2007 and we can revert back to a 2.10pm start on Sunday arvo, maybe even a Friday night match too)

[BonBon]

I will know this fixture off-by-heart within 2 minutes.

[westernswan]

I got my wish..play eagles over ere inr15...tie for revenge after all those comments after THAT "meaningless" final

[kenswan]

Round 1

As a Swans member who lives in Melbourne, I am quite happy with the draw. I can't remember the last time I got to see MY SWANNIES play in the first round!

Lighten up all you Sydney-siders. Round 2 is not too long to wait.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Charlie
only having Geelong, Brisbane and Collingwood at Homebush (will be very lucky to get a 40,000 average for these games).

Remember the club requested 3 games at Telstra Stadium. Collingwood and Essendon then one of Geelong, St Kilda or Brisbane for the third game. The AFL clearly thinks Essendon isn't the draw it once was and would be better served at the SCG where it will fill the ground and basically make it a blockbuster type game, ditto with St Kilda.

Also the club must think that Geelong can draw a crowd big enough to suit Telstra Stadium status if they requested Geelong well "before" the match up in the final. The Brisbane game was always going to stay in the mix after the game there this year was such a success.

So at the end of the day it came down to the AFL's mind between Essendon and Collingwood for the third game and I'm guessing Collingwood won out because of the split round factor.

Overall the draw isn't too bad.

[monopoly19]

I'm loving this draw, simply because I have other commitments on Sundays for much of the season, and we don't have many of them this year.

I will definately be at the Port game for the unfurling of the flag!

[BonBon]

Virgin Blue are very expensive at the moment. My dad told me to book all my flights in a month.

[swan_song]

The draw looks pretty good to me, footy wise. I am disappointed though that we are playing 8 saturday night games, though. In my experience, saturday night games tend to be more about beer-swilling than game watching, compared to sunday afternoon games, judging from those sitting around us. To us, at least, saturday night games do not particularly lend themselves to a family-friendly environment. Undoubtedly though this is one drawback we'll endure...

[j s]

Re: Round 1

Originally posted by kenswan
As a Swans member who lives in Melbourne, I am quite happy with the draw. I can't remember the last time I got to see MY SWANNIES play in the first round!

Lighten up all you Sydney-siders. Round 2 is not too long to wait.

Let's hope thay can organise something (will need the Bombers agreement) like Jason and Stewie doing a circuit holding the Cup

Something like that would guarantee a sellout crowd.

[Frog]

Looks like we may have to book seats at the TD for the opener ... It's Essendon after all ... Maybe I'll go to Sydney for round 2 instead ...