Overview
- The AFL shifted Hawthorn v Gold Coast in Launceston to a 12:30pm AEST start to meet state rules for Anzac Day.
- Essendon v Collingwood at the MCG moved to 3:20pm AEST to limit overlap with the earlier match.
- AFL scheduling boss Josh Bowler said the league coordinated the changes with Foxtel, Channel 7, UTAS Stadium and the MCG.
- Tasmanian law bars most shop trading before 12:30pm on Anzac Day, which affects stadium retail and match-day operations.
- The Launceston game is the first of four Hawthorn home fixtures at UTAS Stadium during upgrades, with Adelaide, Melbourne and North Melbourne to follow.