“Increasingly likely”: Marquee fixture set to be played on opening Friday night of 2022 AFL season

It’s looking “increasingly likely” that the first Friday night fixture of the 2022 AFL season will be the Grand Final rematch, according to Sam McClure.

Melbourne famously beat Western Bulldogs by 74 points in last month’s decider at Optus Stadium, breaking a 57-year premiership drought.

Grand Final rematches traditionally haven’t been held until later in a season, but McClure reports that the AFL is set to hand the Dees and Dogs the coveted time slot in Round 1.

“Carlton and Richmond are going to open up the season again on the Thursday night of Round 1,” he revealed on Sportsday.

“On Friday night a day later, it’s looking increasingly likely that it will be the Grand Final replay between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

“I’m told early days after the Grand Final, Melbourne went to the AFL (and lodged the request) and asked to play the game earlier in the season.

“What a one-two punch it would be if we had capacity crowds.”

The last time a Grand Final rematch was held in Round 1 was back in 2009, where Hawthorn and Geelong faced off in the opening Friday night of the season.

Richmond and Carlton will open the season on the Thursday night as normal, with the game to mark Michael Voss’ first match as Blues coach.