Seven dumps fallen giants Carlton and Essendon from primetime free-to-air slot

The AFL’s free-to-air broadcaster, the Seven Network, has snubbed Carlton and Essendon, dumping football’s fallen giants from a primetime fixture in the final round of the home-and-away season.

There was no surprise on Wednesday when the league confirmed it had scheduled the Bombers’ clash with the Blues on the Thursday night of round 24 – but the match will not be shown on Seven despite the network having the rights to the prized timeslot.

The match will be behind a paywall, on Fox Footy.

Seven wanted to show the best possible matches in the run to the finals, and the game between the two big Victorian clubs is a dead rubber. Instead, Seven has picked up the vital game between the Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn on the Sunday night, which could decide whether the Hawks qualify for September.

The Dons, though, will feature on Seven in the last game of the season against Gold Coast on Wednesday, August 27. The Suns could be playing to secure a maiden finals appearance.

That match is effectively Seven’s replacement game for the opening round game between Brisbane and Geelong that was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. The Lions-Cats game was then moved to the Saturday of round three and broadcast by Foxtel – who have exclusive rights to Saturday games in Victoria.

The once unthinkable call not to show a primetime game between the Blues and the Bombers is indicative of how much the one-time powerhouse clubs are on the nose with the football public.

The AFL gambled on the pair still being in the finals hunt when it delivered the clubs four Thursday/Friday night games each from rounds 16-23 in the floating fixture – but that has backfired, resulting in a string of one-sided matches.

The Bombers and Blues were ninth and 10th respectively when the second phase of the fixture was released only to nosedive, winning just four games between them in that time.

“We’re thrilled with the games we’ve secured in round 24 and the way they set up a blockbuster climax to what’s been an unbelievable AFL season,” Seven’s director of sport Chris Jones said.

“Having the final three matches on free-to-air, that look certain to determine the make-up of the top eight is a dream result and it sets up a thrilling finish for footy fans right across the country.

“All four games on Seven in round 24 feature teams that will play finals – a perfect lead-in to what promises to be an unforgettable 2025 finals series.

“In every decision taken together with the AFL, the fans remain at the forefront of everything we do. The passion and loyalty shown by the fans in every corner of the country is what makes the game so great and we are stoked to deliver an exceptional final round fixture for the fans.”

Carlton and Essendon declined to comment.

The AFL is comfortable with Seven’s decision and, based on the strong ratings for the corresponding game last year between Port Adelaide and Fremantle, which determined Carlton’s finals fate, are expecting a big TV audience for the Lions-Hawks game.

In a statement, fixturing boss Josh Bowler confirmed Essendon were given Thursday night billing to ensure a sufficient break before the Suns game.

“The round will start on Thursday night and finish the following Wednesday to provide the Gold Coast Suns and Essendon sufficient days’ break between matches, with their rescheduled opening round match being played during round 24, in addition to their respective clashes against Carlton and Port Adelaide,” Bowler said.

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