FAST forward to this time next year, and we could be in the midst of nine days of footy in the space of 10 days.  

With Easter falling late next year, and Anzac Day on a Thursday, the AFL will have a lot to juggle if it wants to stick with its regular schedule of blockbusters.  

The challenge will be ensuring teams get adequate breaks across the two rounds of footy.  

If it happens, the two-week football bonanza would begin on the night of Thursday, April 18, followed by a twilight game on Good Friday.

There would then be regular games on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and the traditional Easter Monday game between Geelong and Hawthorn.

Tuesday, April 23 would be the only day off in the football marathon, followed by the fast-growing clash between Richmond and Melbourne on the Wednesday night, and then the Anzac Day game on the Thursday between Essendon and Collingwood.

The AFL could be quite strategic with its scheduling by having the Anzac Day Eve game as the last game of round five and the Anzac Day game as the opening of round six.

While it's too early to know for sure, the League typically begins working on the fixture for the following year months before its October release.

How 2019's footy marathon could look

Thursday: One game 
Good Friday: One game
Easter Saturday: Four games 
Easter Sunday: Two games
Easter Monday: Hawthorn v Geelong

Easter Tuesday: Footy-free day

Anzac Day Eve: Melbourne v Richmond
Anzac Day: Collingwood v Essendon
Friday: One game
Saturday: Four games
Sunday: Two games