Hawthorn is reportedly lobbying to be ‘prime-time darlings’ next season, while the popular Thursday night slot is expected to ‘dominate’ the 2025 AFL fixture.
After winning 11 of their final 13 games to qualify for the finals this year, the Hawks — who haven’t played hosted a Friday night fixture in five years and are celebrating 100 years as a club — are seeking more prime-time exposure, per Nine’s Tom Morris.
“Hawthorn is gunning to be the AFL’s prime-time darlings in 2025,” Morris reported.
“Hawks fans can expect to play their first home Friday night game since 2019. The club is also lobbying the league to celebrate its 100th anniversary in a marquee game.
“I understand their preference is to play this game against another Victorian club — but not Essendon, who they want to play in Round 1, or Collingwood — so their opponent would more likely be Richmond or Melbourne.
“The Hawks are also celebrating 25 years in Tasmania next year and would like to have a big celebration in one of their four games down there.”
In 2024, Hawthorn played just one game in the Saturday night slot — against Gold Coast in Carrara.