THE old adage 'one week at a time' is more applicable in the AFL than ever and it could benefit clubs often overlooked for prime-time exposure.
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Once a throwaway line it now encapsulates how the competition is being run amid a worldwide pandemic which is constantly throwing curve balls organisers' way.
It means the draw - usually a 22-week fixture delivered to clubs and fans five months out from the season - is ever-evolving.
Rounds are being dropped in one, two or three-week blocks and fixtures have changed days out from bounce down.
The unprecedented situation has a silver lining - Thursday, Friday and Monday night time-slots - those which beam live around the country on free-to-air TV - are being shared.
No one would've tipped pre-season perennial struggler Gold Coast would warrant a prime-time slot.
The Suns' exciting brand has been rewarded a Thursday night fixture against Western Bulldogs in round eight.
Fremantle, which stormed back from 37 points down to beat St Kilda on the weekend, returns to prime time against Geelong that week too.
They will play on a Monday night. It is to help with the Western Australian government's quarantine restrictions but still presents the Dockers, often off Broadway, with a chance to play in front of a larger TV audience.
St Kilda and Carlton had a fixture moved to Thursday night earlier in the season due to improved performances too.
Let's hope the AFL continues to spread the love and the stage is shared instead of reserved for a select few.
Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
