Why doesn't the AFL just go all in on opening round. Make it a rivalry round and have the best possible games on with the biggest possible attendance and TV audience. This would work:
Thursday
GWS vs Sydney (SCG)
Friday
Collingwood vs Carlton (MCG)
Saturday
Brisbane vs Gold Coast (GABBA)
Hawthorn vs Essendon (MCG)
Dogs vs Melbourne (Marvel)
Port vs Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Sunday
Richmond vs North (MCG)
St Kilda vs Geelong (Marvel)
Fremantle vs West Coast (Optus)
Note that I did kind of shaft Richmond here. They no longer get the season opener with Carlton.
There probably is a strategic reason why you don't put all these games on at the same time but I still think it would be awesome.