Angry Dogs appeased as AFL confirms blockbuster double header

The AFL has listened to the outcry over the Western Bulldogs’ elimination final fixture, creating a blockbuster double header at the MCG.
Nine Melbourne’s chief footy reporter Tom Morris on Sunday revealed the Bulldogs had pleaded with the AFL not to be given the Friday night fixture in the first week of finals due to the women’s team’s historic first AFLW clash at Whitten Oval, which had already been locked in to be played on Friday.
While almost a week has passed since the AFL confirmed the Bulldogs’ men’s side would indeed take on Hawthorn on Friday night, September 6, a fixturing tweak was confirmed on Friday, with the women’s team having their match moved to the MCG, putting them on the hallowed turf as a curtain raiser before the men’s elimination final.
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The Bulldogs women’s side will play Port Adelaide at 4.30pm, leading into the men’s elimination final, which will start at 7.40pm.
Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs leads the team out during the round 24 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney Giants. Getty
Fans who had purchased tickets to the NAB AFLW match at Whitten Oval will now receive a ticket to the MCG for both games at no additional cost, the AFL confirmed in a statement on Friday afternoon.
“The next month of footy is the best of the year, with the start of the AFLW season and the AFL finals series,” AFL EGM Football Laura Kane said.
“We were presented with a unique set of circumstances, and following discussions with the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, the MCG and our broadcast partners, there was universal alignment on trying to maximise the AFLW crowd considering the Western Bulldogs involvement in both matches.”
Speaking on Nine’s Footy Furnace on Sunday, Morris reported that the Bulldogs had initially had no joy convincing the AFL to ensure fans could watch both their men’s and women’s side next weekend.
The AFLW club captains pose for a photo ahead of the start of the 2024 season. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“They are disappointed and lobbied hard to play this game at another time because they have an AFLW game at Mission Whitten Oval, which is significant because it is the first match at the new venue that has been redeveloped,” Morris said.
“Equally, it is their first men’s final in Victoria since the 2016 grand final, so they are not too happy with the AFL.”
Anyone who has a ticket to the sold out men’s final between the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn can now turn up early and watch the women’s game at no extra cost.
The AFLW season kicks off this weekend, starting on Friday night when the Sydney Swans host Collingwood.