Andy Maher’s ideal Round 24 fixture for maximum drama and fan interest

SEN host Andy Maher has crafted his ideal Round 24 fixture.

The AFL released the Round 24 fixture two weeks ago to try and position the big matchups with finals implications in the right slots, but Maher would make further changes to that if he could.

In the English Premier League, every match on the final day of the season begins at the same time to ensure that teams don’t know what result they need to finish higher or lower than their rivals on the table.

That often causes chaos and drama, with teams fighting to win not knowing exactly what is happening in other games that could also decide their seasons happening at the same time.

Maher took a leaf out of that book, scheduling some Round 24 games at the same time that involve sides similarly placed on the ladder.

The round's first two games involve four teams that won't play finals. On Saturday, he has Cats v Eagles and Lions v Bombers playing at the same time given those fixtures decide the final spot in the top four.

Sydney get a standalone Saturday night fixture against Adelaide given they won't finish anywhere but first and the Crows can't make finals.

Then there's a final day crescendo, with four games taking place involving teams ranked sixth to ninth, given none of those sides are locked into the top eight yet.

He thinks that his hypothetical fixture would generate maximum interest in the season’s final week.

Maher’s Round 24 fixture

Friday

Melbourne (12th) v Collingwood (10th), MCG – 7:40 pm (AEST)

Saturday

Richmond (18th) v Gold Coast (14th), MCG – 1:45 pm (AEST) 

Geelong (4th) v West Coast (16th), GMHBA Stadium – 4:35 pm (AEST) 

Brisbane (5th) v Essendon (11th), Gabba – 4:35 pm (AEST) 

Sydney (1st) v Adelaide (15th), SCG – 7:30 pm (AEST)

Sunday   

Western Bulldogs (6th) v GWS (3rd), Mars Stadium – 4:10 pm (AEST) 

Carlton (8th) v St Kilda (13th), Marvel Stadium – 4:10 pm (AEST) 

Hawthorn (7th) v North Melbourne (17th), UTAS Stadium – 4:10 pm (AEST) 

Fremantle (9th) v Port Adelaide (2nd), Optus Stadium – 2:10 pm (AWST)/4:10 pm (AEST) 

Actual Round 24 fixture

Friday

Melbourne (12th) v Collingwood (10th), MCG – 7:40 pm (AEST)

Saturday

Geelong (4th) v West Coast (16th), GMHBA Stadium – 1:45 pm (AEST) 

Richmond (18th) v Gold Coast (14th), MCG – 2:10 pm (AEST) 

Hawthorn (7th) v North Melbourne (17th), UTAS Stadium – 4:35 pm (AEST) 

Brisbane (5th) v Essendon (11th), Gabba – 7:25 pm (AEST) 

Sydney (1st) v Adelaide (15th), SCG – 7:40 pm (AEST)

Sunday   

Western Bulldogs (6th) v GWS (3rd), Mars Stadium – 12:30 pm (AEST) 

Carlton (8th) v St Kilda (13th), Marvel Stadium – 3:20 pm (AEST) 

Fremantle (9th) v Port Adelaide (2nd), Optus Stadium – 4:10 pm (AWST)/6:10 pm (AEST)