AFL release 2019 fixture schedule

Five-day breaks

“The five-day break provides flexibility in the fixturing process to help deliver our fans the best games in the biggest timeslots. The AFL thanks the players, the clubs and the AFLPA for coming to an agreement to make this happen,” Mr Auld said.

In 2017 there were 103 six-day breaks, 2018 had 100 six-day breaks, and 2019 will see a mixture of 100 five / six-day breaks (to the end of Round 22 of each season).

The following eight clubs will play with a five-day break, with all parameters (below) being met.

An example of this fixture being across Rounds 3 and 4.

The Geelong Cats take a five-day break from Round 2 into Round 3, to play the Adelaide Crows on the Thursday, who themselves have a six-day break. Geelong will then have a nine-day break into Round four.

In Round four, the Sydney Swans take a five-day break to play Melbourne on Thursday, who themselves are coming off a six-day break. Sydney will then have a nine-day break into round five.

In the preceding week to the five-day break, both the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans will have had an eight-day break.

5-day break parameters (supported by AFLPA):

1. A maximum of one five-day break per club (inclusive of matches scheduled around public holidays, eg ANZAC Eve/Day)
2. A minimum seven-day break on either side of a five-day break (i.e. minimum 7-5-7)
3. A maximum six-day break for the opposition team
4. The provision of two consecutive days off for all players over the weekend following a five-day break (or other time in that week where agreed by player and club)
5.  In relation to travel: 

   a.      No five-day break as part of a double travel

   b.      No five-day break travelling out of Perth 

   c.       Travel into a five-day break subject to players having a minimum five nights in their own bed (where a team has travelled the week before)

   d.      Travel acceptable out of a five-day break (noting this would be into a minimum seven-day break)