The Carlton v Richmond season-opener is here to stay.

The AFL resoundingly knocked back the idea that the opening match should be a Grand Final re-match.

The league’s general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld told Sportsday the Blues and Tigers have proven to create a “strong” start the season.

“Even in years when one or both of the sides haven’t had the expectation of making finals, (the crowd) has been 70,000 plus,” Auld said on Friday.

Auld said a Grand Final re-match will occur early in the 2018 season.

Click PLAY for the full interview