THE AFL on Thursday announced a fixture change to round nine of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Carlton vs Hawthorn will move from Thursday, July 30 at 3:40pm WST (5:40pm EST) to Friday, July 31 at 3:40pm WST (5:40pm EST).
ROUNDS 8-12 Check out the full fixture
Melbourne vs Port Adelaide on Thursday, July 30 was previously scheduled for 8:10pm EST, it will now start at 7:50pm EST and be the standalone game on the Thursday night.
Essendon vs Brisbane on Friday, July 31 was previously scheduled for 7:50pm EST, it will now start at 8:10pm EST to accommodate for the Carlton vs Hawthorn lead in as a double-header.
Revised Thursday / Friday night fixture in round nine
Thursday, July 30
Melbourne v Port Adelaide, Gabba, 7:50pm EST
Friday, July 31
Carlton v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, 3:40pm WST, 5:40pm EST
Essendon v Brisbane, Metricon Stadium, 8:10pm EST
AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said the change made sense considering the days break for the two clubs leading in and out of the match.
"The change was made to afford Carlton and Hawthorn an extra days break leading into their match, and then one less day break post that match where they have a longer layoff due to quarantine in Western Australia," Auld said.
"We thank the clubs, our venues and our broadcaster partners for being so accommodating, in what is another example of having to adjust quickly in a season full of firsts."
