NORTH Melbourne is open to playing a Friday night game at 6pm next year as the AFL considers a trial of the new timeslot in 2027.
The League has asked for all clubs to provide their fixture requests for next season as part of its canvassing ahead of the 2027 draw being developed, with the club submissions being delivered at the start of September.
AFL.com.au can reveal that the Roos, seen as a young team on the rise next season, have told the League they are open to exploring and experimenting with new ideas around their fixturing, including the possibility of an earlier Friday night game in weeks where the League wants to continue its Friday double-headers.
The AFL is looking at it as an option as it considers the breakdown of games next year, having had six Friday night double-headers in the first 11 rounds of the 2026 fixture. An earlier Friday night game, which would likely be screened on Fox Footy, could go ahead of a later free-to-air game in prime time to avoid significant overlap.
North's No.1 priority in the fixture next year remains its hold of the Good Friday marquee game which, after several flops, saw the Roos finally break through for a ripping win this year in a thrilling match against Carlton.
North Melbourne also has some interest in a special game surrounding its clash with Collingwood next year, which will be the 50-year anniversary of the 1977 premiership win over the Magpies (following the drawn Grand Final).
Among other clubs' fixture requests for next year, Carlton and Essendon have both pushed for more home games in the earlier stages of the season.
Acknowledging the scheduling challenges that exist in a condensed early part of the fixture, the Blues have requested more home games in the first half of the season for their members, with the Bombers also keen on that in 2027. Essendon played two Marvel Stadium home games in the first 16 rounds last year.
Greater Western Sydney is deep in discussions with the AFL over the start of their season next year given the shift in season dates and the unavailability of their Engie Stadium base due to the Easter Show.
The Giants have been in talks about playing at least one game at Accor Stadium for the first time since 2022.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast has also put forward its keenness to play some early season fixtures against higher-drawing teams. Traditionally, the Suns have had some of their lowest drawing opponents and games early in the season, but the club is hoping that will be addressed in 2027.
For more than 12 months, Gold Coast has also made clear its position for a one-game model for Darwin, down from the two-game trip that has punctuated the middle of its season for the past five years, and the Suns are still aiming for that next year.
Melbourne too has been in talks with the AFL about its long-standing relationship with the Northern Territory, with new chief executive Dan Taylor picking up discussions with the League about the Demons' future in Alice Springs, where the club has played one home game a season.
Port Adelaide has asked to host the first Showdown next year against Adelaide on a Friday night to coincide with the 150-year celebrations of the SANFL competition that weekend, where Port would look to wear the prison bars jumper against the Crows given their rich SANFL history.
The Power are also keen to be the home team for their Anzac Day night game again, which has become their key fixture priority in recent years.
Adelaide, meanwhile, has proposed to have no long-haul trips either side of five-day breaks, with the management of those shorter breaks between games a key issue for a number of clubs in their fixture requests.
The AFL is expected to release its fixture for next season in the middle of November, having already confirmed the season start with the home and away campaign to begin from Wednesday March 17 or Thursday March 18, with the Grand Final to be held on Saturday, October 2.
