Season opener, Sydney fixtures, Collingwood vs GWS, split round, Round 1 schedule

The AFL is reportedly considering the idea of ​​a split cycle centered on Sydney to open the 2024 season.

AFL Media and the Herald Sun report the league has floated the idea to clubs, which would see Greater Western Sydney take on Collingwood on a Saturday night and Sydney play Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

These two matches would take place before the rest of the first round continues a week later.

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The Herald Sun reports another proposed match would see Richmond play Gold Coast, facing former coach Damien Hardwick in his first match in charge.

Collingwood are also said to be considering playing Brisbane in the Easter Thursday match at the Gabba and then staying in Queensland for a week to face the Gold Coast.

The Blues and Tigers should also request to open the season again on Thursday evening.

As part of the draft, teams that played the previous weekend would be given a bye at some point during the first few weeks of the season in order to set things right.

The match would aim to make more of an impact in the New South Wales and Queensland markets.

In 2022, the league opened the season with a rematch of the 2021 grand final between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.