AFL fixture/draw

[CureTheSane]

A topic of conversation that wseems to rear it's head more reularly than usual aomngst my friends is the AFL fixture system and draw.

It's pretty much easy to see that the year to year draw is favorable to some teams and not so to others.

And then we have a modern game with an antiquated fixture/finals system (in my opinion)

what is the best way to move on?
Different people have many different opinions. Split the draw in to two or four pools, reduce the games, hold two competitions.

My theory is this.

Now that we have so many teams, it is easily feasible to play each team once.
Still not ideal as there will be home ground advantages, but still fairer than playing good (or bad) teams twice.
I would also like to see the finals expanded and lengthened. Seems silly to play 22 rounds, and then the usual goal is to make the final 8 just to play in finals and hopefully do well in a few games.

There could also be a 'best of the rest' finals round for the rest of the comp.

Is everyone happy with the way things are, or would you like to see changes?

[laughingnome]

22 rounds for 18 teams doesn't work, really, but I do like the 22 round season. In a perfect world there would be 24 clubs across 2 divisions (12 each) and two complete rounds per division with promotion/relegation. (I don't like the idea of conferences, but a similar thing could happen).

However, the most sound approach I've heard for an 18 team comp over 22 weeks is this:
- Play every team once [17 rounds]. The location of these games will be reversed year to year (home one year, away the next).
- Play the "local rival" twice. This is a no-brainer for money and makes scheduling easier for non-victorian teams, especially now there are two in every state. [Round 18]
- You now have 4 rounds to play and 16 teams to play against, and the math is logical: over a 4 year period play every team once in that period.

In summary: Play 4 teams twice each year, different every year for four years. Play the cross-town rival twice every year and every other team once per year.

With regards to rivals in Victoria, there will be 5 pairs. Not everyone can play Collingwood twice (for the money if not the rivalry) but I'm sure an arrangement can be reached. It can also be altered after 4 years to reflect burgoning rivalries or allow Collingwood to play Carlton twice and then Essendon, for example.

Obviously this draw is not equal, but in a 22 round comp I think it's as good as it will get, especially as it plays the money card for boutique games.

[Cant turn right]

How about each team plays each team twice and we get to watch heaps more footy from mid Feb to the beginning of December!!!

[dimelb]

Retain the NAB Cup. It's useful for giving coaches a chance to try different things and see where players are at.
Each team to play all the others once.
Retain the current finals arrangements.
Start the whole process a bit later, in something more like proper football weather.
It won't happen because it would cost them money.

[Doctor]

They'll probably model the draw on how the NFL do it. They have taken everything else from there after all!

[ugg]

Who's up for a trip to Hobart?

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/10/21/270331_afl.html

[ScottH]

Who's up for a trip to Hobart?

http://www.themercury.com.au/article...70331_afl.html

I hope it's not one of our Melbourne games. Bloody Roos.

[goswannie14]

22 rounds for 18 teams doesn't work, really, but I do like the 22 round season. In a perfect world there would be 24 clubs across 2 divisions (12 each) and two complete rounds per division with promotion/relegation. (I don't like the idea of conferences, but a similar thing could happen).

I agree with this. I have said for a while I would like to see 2 divisions with promotion/relegation. Either 20, 22 or 24 teams would be fine by me.

[mcs]

I hope it's not one of our Melbourne games. Bloody Roos.

Damn Roos we've played there here there and bludy everywhere over the last decade or so. I'd love a trip to hobart, but too early in the season for me most likely (Finances are going to be well and truly in recovery mode after 2 months in Europe over Christmas/New Year!)

[wolftone57]

My solution is to merge 4 Melbourne clubs. The doggies & North merge. Richmond & Melbourne merge. 16 team comp. 30 games no NAB cup, Interstate Footy in the middle of season. Go back to playing the early trial games as we used to do. Much better because you could play as many players as you liked. This allows the coach to get a look at all his players. These trials are played over 8 periods not 4 quarters. The Swans did this a few years ago when we bummed out of the NAB Cup & it was very successful. The NAB cup is simply a money spinner for the AFL & it means nothing. So what if you win the NAB Cup Premiership the only thing a club gets from it are the dollars and that only interests the poor clubs. All the well off clubs couldn't give a fig for it and don't try too hard. It is absolutely no indicator of how sides will go in the home & away season.

In the last 21 years only 3 sides have won Pre-season & Home & Away Premierships. They are the Hawks in 1990, Dons in 1993 & 2000 and Cats in 2009. only one runner up in the pre-season cup has won the Home & Away Premiership and that was the Lions in 2001. So get rid of the tragic comp & any team that can't compete or is not viable. If North, Bullies, Saints or Melb come begging merge them or scrap them