Travel Challenges for AFL Teams in September
A team that made several ‘win-now’ moves during the off-season is now facing a unique challenge in the coming months. With just 185 more minutes of travel required for the rest of the season, Ross Lyon’s side has one of the lightest travel schedules in the competition. This opportunity comes after Round 12, and the Saints will have their first and only trip to Sydney in Round 13, where they will face a renewed and formidable Swans outfit.
Following this match, the Saints will remain within Victoria for the remainder of the season. Currently sitting at 5-7, the team is two games below .500. Since 2021, only once has the 10th-placed team at the end of the season managed fewer than 11 wins. This means the Saints need to start performing better if they are to secure a finals berth. Fortunately, they have six games left against teams also outside the top 10, which could be a significant advantage in their push for the finals.
Carlton, another team with a new caretaker coach in Josh Fraser, is also showing signs of improvement. The Blues are now starting to think about a potential Wildcard Round berth. However, like the Saints, they will only leave Victoria once before the end of the season, in Round 15.
Top Four Teams Face Heavier Travel Schedules
In contrast, the top-four teams are facing some of the heaviest travel burdens. Hawthorn, in particular, is set to travel more than any other Victorian club in the final stretch of the season. They are also outpacing GWS, who have recently found form by defeating likely finalists Brisbane and Melbourne.
On the other hand, Essendon is expected to continue its difficult season, with fans likely to avoid attending matches due to the team’s poor performance. The Bombers will leave Victoria only once, as they struggle through their season. The empty grandstands during their recent game against Fremantle may become the norm for the rest of the year.
Heavy Travel Burdens for Bottom Teams
As is often the case in the AFL, the teams at the bottom of the table are facing the most demanding travel schedules. The West Coast Eagles, Gold Coast Suns, Fremantle Dockers, and Brisbane Lions are all dealing with heavy travel loads as September approaches.
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