If the AFL holds a Magic Round in South Australia in 2023, what should the fixture look like?
Former Geelong forward and SANFL star Daniel Menzel has put together a hypothetical round of footy for the weekend.
Menzel believes the Adelaide Oval can hold six games, with three moved to smaller venues.
“First of all we’ll look at the venues and there’s going to be nine games and I think Adelaide Oval will be able to host six games,” he told Sportsday SA.
“I’d go at least one at The Parade, if Hisense Stadium in West Adelaide is available I’d play one there as well and there’s talk about going to the Barossa for another so there’s your nine games.”
Menzel has Victorian blockbusters kicking off the round, with the Showdown sitting in the middle.
Geelong versus Melbourne (Adelaide Oval)
“Thursday night I would lead off with a very good game.”
Western Bulldogs versus Collingwood (Adelaide Oval)
“Friday night, two Melbourne teams as well that I think would draw a really good crowd.”
St Kilda versus Carlton (Adelaide Oval)
“We’ll move to Saturday and have St Kilda versus Carlton at the Adelaide Oval.”
Fremantle versus Gold Coast (The Parade)
“Here’s where we would look to take a few games outside of the Adelaide Oval.”
Essendon versus GWS (Barossa)
“I’d also at the same time play Essendon and GWS in the Barossa. You’ve got two games there that may not draw as big a crowd, but you have got smaller venues.”
Adelaide versus Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
“There has been talk about playing the Showdown on Thursday night to kick it off, I would not do that. I think with nine games of footy in the same state, you will naturally get some fatigue from people. I would put the Showdown right in the middle on Saturday night as a standalone game.”
West Coast versus North Melbourne (Adelaide Oval)
Sydney versus Brisbane (Hisense Stadium)
“If that is not available with their grandstand then I would look at going back to The Parade.”
Richmond versus Hawthorn (Adelaide Oval)
“I would finish the weekend with a Sunday twilight at the Adelaide Oval. I think you need good games at the start and the end of the round if you’re going to have nine games here.”
Listen to the full discussion below