The AFL has abandoned its Opening Round experiment. The decision follows on from heavy criticism of the controversial fixture. The league is going back to a standard season structure. The special early-season round is off the schedule.

Eddie McGuire has floated a proposal to change the AFL finals format. He said the idea might enlarge the finals series. McGuire made his pitch after the league voted to remove the special early-season round. His finals proposal comes after the recent decision to abandon Opening Round.