With Aussie sports fans across the country tuning in to see the Socceroos take on Argentina in the World Cup the AFL clearly wasn’t happy not having the spotlight.
In an odd move from the sporting organisation the AFL decided that kick-off of the Round of 16 matchup was the time to release their round one fixtures for 2023.
I mean, 6 am on Sunday morning is always known as prime time to make an announcement.
The fixture is locked in for round one of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season 🔒
— AFL (@AFL) December 3, 2022
More details: https://t.co/asTtUvyk1f pic.twitter.com/7W4r17zalR
Seemingly quite bothered that all eyes were on Australia’s national football team rather than the AFL, the organisation made a desperate grab at attention.
Aussie sports broadcaster Daniel Grab called the move ‘petty and insecure’ and slammed the organisation for misreading the situation.
I’m certain it will. The AFL has made itself look petty and insecure with its move here. Read the situation terribly.
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) December 4, 2022
According to Fox Sports, journalist Caroline Wilson believed the move showed disrespect to the football team.
Wilson said on ABC’s Offsiders: “It’s really interesting to watch the response from the other codes, and, you know, the story was 10, 20 years ago when Australia failed in World Cups, AFL and NRL broke out the Champagne.
“I thought the response this morning to release the round one fixture of the AFL 2023 season was just lame of the AFL to release it today.
“I would have just given them a bit of clean air today. I thought that was disappointing by the AFL.”
The general consensus online wasn’t any more forgiving.
Not sure why everyone is being so cynical, the #AFL always drop their fixture on a Sunday morning at 6am during a rivals codes biggest game in decades
— David Hards (@hardsy05) December 3, 2022
Congratulations to the @AFL on proving they are the most insecure sporting body in the country, dropping the round 1 fixture while the country is up watching the #Socceroos 😂😂😂 #FIFAWorldCup #ARGAUS
— Shane (@_Willo_) December 3, 2022
ABC’s Evan Morgan Grahame quipped: “Oh was there a game of kicky-soccer this morning? I didn’t notice, as I was up at 5:30 am reading the AFL round 1 fixture (???)”
Football agent Lou Sticca wrote: “We (Australian Football) will release our A-League fixtures when the AFL are next involved representing Australia on the World stage!”
Broadcaster Georgie Parker said: “Lol at the AFL. Giving me serious ‘ex-partner putting up a selfie and a motivational quote hoping their ex sees it when really they’re off living their best life, and probably has already unfollowed them’ vibes.”
Meanwhile, 9News reporter Josh Money posted a picture of the turnout to watch the World Cup game at Adelaide Oval.
Still buzzing at the turnout for this morning’s AFL Round 1 fixture reveal. pic.twitter.com/0yX3N3G5Sm
— Josh Money (@joshmoney__) December 4, 2022
He joked: “Still buzzing at the turnout for this morning’s AFL Round 1 fixture reveal.”
Yep, the AFL well and truly copped it.
SPORTbible reached out to the AFL for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Benjamin Crone / Alamy. Richard Milnes / Alamy.
Topics: Australia, Australia Afl, Aussie Rules Football, Football, Football World Cup
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