THE AFL isn't expecting backlash over the fixturing decision to schedule Sunday's Collingwood-Essendon clash as a twilight match and broadcast it only on Foxtel.

 

The MCG blockbuster - which is a Collingwood home game expected to attract more than 80,000 spectators - will not be televised on free-to-air, leaving those without Foxtel in the dark.

 

But the League says both the Saturday and Sunday twilight slots are becoming popular both at the gate and in the ratings, and are yet to receive any negative feedback surrounding this week's game. 

 

"We haven't heard anything as yet. Collingwood crowds are as strong as ever and we would expect an 80,000-plus crowd, hopefully," general manager of broadcasting, scheduling and legal affairs Simon Lethlean told AFL.com.au.

 

"I don't think we've received any negative feedback at this stage.

 

"As is always the case, people have their own views about the fixture – be it the full season or every round, and that won't be any different this round."

 

This will be the third and last of the Magpies' home twilight games, with their others coming against the Western Bulldogs in round 12 and last week against Greater Western Sydney.

 

Lethlean said this game's fixturing was "not a huge point of conjecture" for the AFL as it looked to share around both the free-to-air games and those at twilight.

 

"We've intended throughout the course of the year to try some of our bigger clubs across the twilight slots," he said.

 

"I think it's becoming a really popular TV and attendance slot now.

 

"We think it should be quite successful."

 

Of the 21 games scheduled this season, (not including the yet to be determined round 23 fixture), Collingwood has 13 games on free-to-air and Essendon 15.

 

This will be the first time Collingwood will meet Essendon in a Sunday twilight time slot.

 

"We think it will be well attended, we think it's a major match of the round, as well as Hawthorn-Richmond, and it's a good chance to let some other clubs have some free-to-air exposure," Lethlean said.

 

"Collingwood and Essendon certainly get plenty of free-to-air coverage and it's a good chance for us to try a big MCG, Sundaytwilight slot and see how it goes."