When trying to find one match that underpins the essence of the 2017 fixture, you couldn't do much better than this round seven clash between the Saints and Giants at Etihad Stadium.

That a clash between two of the AFL's smallest clubs could feature in the game's marquee timeslot was almost unfathomable not that long ago. After all, these are clubs that are ranked 15th and 17th respectively on the 2016 membership ladder.

GWS has never played a Friday night game, while the Saints' last appearance in the blockbuster spot was in round three last year.

But the old world order has largely been disregarded in next year's fixture, released by the league on Thursday.

On-field performance rather than off-field clout is now clearly the biggest factor used by the AFL when apportioning marquee slots.

Melbourne's traditional "big four" clubs: Carlton, Essendon, Collingwood and Richmond appear on Friday nights just five times between them.

The Tigers have been snubbed from the timeslot altogether, although they do have a pair of early-season Thursday night games and their now-traditional Monday night Anzac Day eve clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

In contrast it is the on-field heavyweights of 2016 who have been given top billing. Reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs have seven Friday night games and one Thursday night appearance.

The team they beat on grand final day - Sydney - have done even better, with eight Friday night games and two Thursday night dates.

The three other teams to win finals this year: Adelaide, Geelong and the Giants have all done well, with 12 Friday night appearances and three Thursday night games between them.

The rising Saints - who stormed home to finish ninth in 2016 - have been given a huge vote of confidence by the league as well, with four Friday night games.

There is barely any correlation between the size of a club's membership and its prominence in the blue ribbon timeslots.

This has not always been the case. In 2005, the Bombers, Tigers, Blues and Magpies filled four of the bottom five positions on the ladder. Yet the following season they had 16 Friday night appearances between them.

Times have changed though, not least due to an altered philosophy in which the league is more than prepared to put its NSW clubs head-to-head on Friday night against the NRL.

The winners are the smaller clubs, and the neutral fans. This year's epic Giants-Bulldogs preliminary final pulled in the second biggest TV audience for a non-grand final AFL game in history.

It showed that if the football and storyline are compelling, people will watch regardless of the combatants.