AFL teams return to Thursday night in boost for Supercoach and Fantasy players

Kieran Francis

AFL teams return to Thursday night in boost for Supercoach and Fantasy players image

The announcement of AFL teams for each fixture will return to Thursday night as of round 10 after pressure from the game's fans.

With COVID affecting the 2020 AFL season, the governing body had changed the naming of teams to the night before matches because clubs were playing frequent matches in a fluid schedule because of the global pandemic.

The AFL decided to retain that process for this season but after criticism from stakeholders and supporters - mainly those engaging in fantasy games such as Supercoach and football tipping - they have decided to revert to the traditional Thursday team announcement.

All teams will be announced on Thursday evening at 6.20pm (AEST), with games played on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday allowed to name extra 'interchange from' players, with the final teams for those games announced two evenings before.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan explained why the league had decided to revert back to the old process after consultation with the game's stakeholders.

"Thursday night teams is a tradition for fans, tipsters, fantasy footy players and our league," McLachlan said in the AFL's statement.

"Last year, we had to make some necessary changes to assist our clubs in getting through and part of that was moving the team announcements to combat the four or five day breaks we were faced with.

"After working through the feedback from fans and other stakeholders over the last few weeks, we conducted some further research and the decision to return to the traditional timeslot was an easy one."

The naming of teams the night before matches had been a nightmare for Fantasy players trying to select their squad - especially with the extra complication of the medical sub.

Tipsters will also have more information to make their selections prior to the AFL round beginning.

The upcoming round 9 of the AFL will still have teams named the night before matches before the change is made for round 10.

AFL Teams Naming Schedule

Thursday games – final teams (18 players, 4 interchange players, 4 emergencies)
Announced Wednesday, 6.20pm AEST
 
Friday and Saturday games – final teams (18 players, 4 interchange players, 4 emergencies)
Announced Thursday, 6.20pm AEST
 
Sunday and Monday games – extended squads  (18 players, 8 emergencies)
Announced Thursday, 6.20pm AEST
 
Sunday games – final teams (18 players, 4 interchange players, 4 emergencies)
Announced Friday, 5.00pm AEST
 
Monday games – final teams (18 players, 4 interchange players, 4 emergencies)
Announced Saturday, 4.30pm AEST
 
If games are to be played on Tuesday or Wednesday, final teams will be announced at 6:20pm AEST the day prior to the match.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.