Three years after the A-League grand final scheduling debacle, the AFL have taken the unprecedented step of keeping two games open to avoid a repeat.

If it looks like Melbourne Victory could host the grand final at Marvel Stadium, the league will swap the round-nine matches.

Usually, the only flexibility built into the AFL regular season draw is the floating round 23 fixture, immediately before the finals.

But in late March, depending on the Victory’s fortunes, the AFL could swap the Saturday night Essendon-Fremantle game at Marvel Stadium and Sunday’s Port Adelaide-Gold Coast fixture.

Victory’s 2015 grand final win over Sydney FC was held at the smaller AAMI Park, not the larger Marvel (then Etihad) Stadium, because of an unexpected AFL scheduling clash.

The game went ahead at AAMI Park despite weeks of negotiations, with the FFA, AFL and the Western Bulldogs all criticised for their roles in the controversy.

AFL fixture boss Travis Auld said at Thursday’s release of the 2019 fixture they were told only this week that Saturday night might have to be kept open at Marvel Stadium,.

“We didn’t have time to adjust that game and what we have done, which is a little unusual for us, is we’ll make an assessment closer to the start of the season,” Auld said.

He added the call would be made in late March, before tickets go on sale, when there is a better read on Victory’s form.

The unusual move comes a few months after the Victorian Government announced a $500 million funding bonanza for the AFL.

“We value our partnership with the Victorian Government and it’s a venue for all sports,” Auld said

“You shouldn’t see that as a leader for what we might do in other slots – it’s a unique situation.

Auld said the Marvel Stadium request was not a reason why the release of their 2019 fixture was delayed for 24 hours until Thursday.

He said it took a half-hour conversation to come up with the swap option and added the fixture went to the AFL Commission on Wednesday as planned.