PROS: A balance of prime-time and family-friendly timeslots with 11 matches under lights, seven during the day and three twilight with round 23 TBA. With the exception of the four-day break they cop to play on Anzac Day Eve, they have decent gaps between games with no five-day breaks and 10 days off after round six. They also play their last seven games at the MCG.
CONS: They didn't want back-to-back travel but will hit the road in rounds three and four when they face the Giants and Power in consecutive weeks. As per the weighted system, they'll face 2018 finalists Collingwood, GWS and Melbourne twice, which they would have expected. They've also been given a home game at Marvel Stadium (round five against Sydney), which they lobbied against.
PLAY TWICE: Carlton, Collingwood, GWS, Melbourne, Port Adelaide,
BYE: Round 14
FIRST FOUR WEEKS: Carlton (away), Collingwood (home), GWS (away), Port Adelaide (away)
MAKE OR BREAK: With not much to complain about venue-wise after the bye, their toughest period looks to be in the first two months with clashes against four 2018 finalists and three interstate trips.
MCG KINGS TO STORM INTO SEPTEMBER: Before losing to Collingwood in the preliminary final, the Tigers had won 22 in a row at the MCG. They again start and end their season at their home ground, and have an enviable streak of seven successive games at the venue to propel them into the finals.
AFL.COM.AU SAY: Pretty good all up, although they'll be dirty they're hosting Sydney at Marvel Stadium again despite specifically asking for all home games to be at the MCG. The back-to-back travel will also annoy, but even that is offset by the fact they don't leave the MCG after round 16. They'll deal with the four-day break to play on Anzac Day Eve with a 10-day gap sweetener on the other side. Their run to the bye could challenge: Richmond faces Hawthorn, Essendon, North and Geelong before a trip to their somewhat-dreaded Adelaide Oval to face the Crows. However, they do play 2018 wooden-spooner Carlton at either end of the season. - Jennifer Phelan
See how Tiger fans reacted to the announcement on social media...
7 games @MCG to finish the 2019 @AFL season. Outstanding @Richmond_FC #gotiges
— Ben Ferguson ️♂️⚫️ (@BenFerg79) November 1, 2018
With @Richmond_FC playing freo on Mother’s Day in Perth, looks like the Gold Coast has won the rights to host our annual tiger trip away in July @bigtigerchrisw @RFC_Tiger @Rockastoner #gotiges ✈️☀️⛱
— Paddy Harrington (@FootyTippsy) November 1, 2018
Am I the only fan who thinks it's not as easy as everyone is saying? First thoughts is it's pretty tough
— Jake Bruni (@JBruni12) November 1, 2018
Love that the QLD Tigers are already getting messages about the game at Carrara on July 6th next year. Easily the best away trip for fans! #gotiges @Richmond_FC
— Dylan Leach (@leachitup) November 1, 2018
thoughts? i can't find anything to be mad about in the 2019 fixture for the tigs
— disabled kristy thomas (@kyliemaslen) November 1, 2018
Only 140 days to go... #gotiges #AFL https://t.co/tOFRTpMTNx
— Tas Mavridis (@TasMavridis) November 1, 2018
Aww damn it @AFL No #Gabba game for @Richmond_FC next year!!! Missing the best Footy trip again #gotiges #eatemalive
— Lyn 2017 PREMIERS (@lyntiger22) November 1, 2018