Sorry there are arguments for having 16 games I guess, but I can’t see any which would be more important than having a fair season where we play each other once each.
Cheers for the question @anthak The boards view is that like in 2024 when we played 17 rounds that in 2025 we would play as many rounds as we could that only have 2 teams on the bye. Originally that was 15 (plus 4 finals) and as of the Brisbane vs Geelong game being rescheduled it is now 16, noting that if we also played through the 4 team byes this season (with topups) we would have either 19 or 20 games plus finals. I understand the fairness point of view but the reality as I see it is some teams cop harder/easier draws even with a “pure” round robin by virtue of random luck and this is a much bigger factor than an extra game in the scheme of things. Further Round 16 has in general seen matchups between teams around the same level in 2024 including the top 6 for the home and away season playing amongst each other and the bottom 2 from 2024 also facing off twice.
I know I have asked the same question both years, so thank you for your patience with me. I dont see a need for extra games outweighing playing each other the same amount of games each, but im happy to roll with it.
In 2026 the ORFFF season starts in AFL Round 1 with byes in Opening Round and AFL rounds 2,3, 12, 14, 15 and 16 and we will be playing 15 home and away rounds with ORFFF finals as an 8 team knockout style in AFL rounds 22-24. The key rationale this year was again to schedule matches early in the season where teams have regularly previously played later on and vice versa. The GF replay is once again in Round 6 (AFL8) and Rivalry Round is in Round 11 (AFL 17). As always the fixture is provided in pictorial form with teams 160th, 170th, 180th and 190th ORFFF matches highlighted as well as Neptune Island looking to stretch their perfect head to head record to 12-0 against the Power with their clash scheduled for Round 8 (AFL 10) Sveral double celebration and rivalry matches are scheduled as follows Round 1 with Drouin hosting Maralinga in both teams 165th matches Round 8 (AFL 10) with Mt Thirsty hosting The Pony’s in both teams 176th matches Round 10 (AFL 13) with Mac Island hosting Rutherglen in both teams 171st matches Round 11 (AFL 17) with Mac Island hosting the 29ers in both teams 172nd matches Round 13 (AFL 19) with Rutherglen hosting the 29ers in both teams 174th matches Round 15 (AFL21) with Nangkita hosting Wedge Island in their respective 172nd matches Our annual gala round is scheduled for Round 11 (AFL Round 17) when the ORFFF holds its 1400th match during a rivalry round which departs from its traditional early to mid season scheduling and is held immediately post the midseason break. Good luck all