Under the deal, announced in September 2022, delayed games, or hold-back games, will be broadcast on free-to-air two hours after they start on Foxtel or no later than 8.40pm local time. That means a 4.30pm game would start on free-to-air at 6.30pm; however a 7.30pm match would be shown on free-to-air at 8.40pm.
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There are also additional elements to this year’s fixture to consider, such as North Melbourne’s bid to play two home games in Western Australia, with a game in Perth and one in Bunbury against West Coast and Fremantle.
Two industry sources with knowledge of the proposal, who wanted to remain anonymous until the deal was finalised, said the Kangaroos could earn between $2-3 million per year by playing two home games in WA as they look to replace the revenue they earn from playing four home games in Hobart when Tasmania enter the competition in 2028, expanding the league to 19 teams.
The lucrative nature of the deal opens the possibility of North Melbourne eventually playing nine home games in Melbourne and two in WA in the future, as opposed to the current arrangement of seven home games in Melbourne and four home games in Hobart. Bringing all four home games back to Marvel Stadium would only add $1 million to the Roos’ revenue in the future.
North Melbourne hope to play two home games in Western Australian in 2025.Credit: Eddie Jim / The Age
The four Victorian teams likely to play opening round next season also remain uncertain, although industry sources say Collingwood, Hawthorn, Geelong and Essendon are the most likely candidates with their opponents yet to be determined.
The Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne want to play a centenary match against a big-drawing Victorian opponent, while the Hawks hope to play Essendon again in round one.
Carlton and Richmond will not participate in opening round in 2025, meaning they could start their season against each other.
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