The Bombers will play at least seven Friday night games and seven Saturday night games (maybe more with the floating Round 22 fixture) in 2010 in what is a blockbuster draw for the club.
The AFL today released the official 2010 fixture and it reflects the excitement that the young, Essendon squad is generating with many huge clashes and prime-time TV appearances scheduled.
To listen to Ian discuss Essendon's 2010 draw on SEN click here, to listent to him discuss it on 3AW click here.
“This is a blockbuster draw for Essendon and is great for our fans – it shows that the AFL and broadcasters view us as a club that is on the rise and plays an attacking, courageous brand of football that should be showcased,” Essendon CEO Ian Robson said.
“It’s exciting that we will play up to 15 of our 22 games on a Friday or Saturday night as well as the ANZAC Day clash early-afternoon so the Bombers will really be in the national spotlight in 2010.”
Robson said the fact Essendon plays five of this year’s finals sides twice (Geelong, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Carlton) is challenging but welcomed and he expects the two Hawthorn clashes to be epic grudge matches.
“What excites me about Essendon is the young talent on our list and we want them to play the best and test themselves on the big stage in 2010,” he said.
“We will have the courage to stick with our plans for success and we welcome this challenge against other quality sides.
“There is plenty for Essendon fans to be excited about including our Round 2 home clash with Fremantle, which will also serve as a tribute to Matthew Lloyd, and the Round 6 re-match with Hawthorn which is the first of our four massive home games at the MCG and is sure to be an absolute beauty.
“Of the other matches, we are pleased that the Round 5 Essendon v Collingwood ANZAC Day clash will continue to be the feature national sporting event that day and the Round 9 Dreamtime at the ‘G encounter with Richmond remains a marquee event for the competition.”
The draw will see Essendon play 19 games in Melbourne and three times interstate (Perth, Sydney then Adelaide) which Robson says is disappointing for our Queensland based fans.
In other good news for members, for the first time Essendon has been able to negotiate ‘away’ seating for all away games at the MCG (Level 3 of the Olympic Stand). This means that people with a 17/18 game membership have the opportunity to add an away seat to their membership. With the 2010 Fixture, these members will now be able to access all 19 Melbourne games.
