Finals

[goswannies]

AFLX sounds almost like the original night series concept.

[bloodspirit]

And yet, if we do miss the finals this year, our reserves team will almost certainly still be going in the NEAFL right to the pointy end. So maybe the likes of Lance and Isaac will need to don their clown suits.

This sounds like one of those ideas that someone threw up and no-one was game enough to point out how stupid it was. Who do they think is going to have any interest in watching something like this?

If I can watch it for free and the Swans are playing, I will probably have a gander.

I wonder who we'd pick in the scenario that we were trying to pick our strongest possible side? Here's a suggestion: Franklin, Heeney, Lloyd, Rampe, Hannebery, Reid, Papley, Newman, Parker, Rohan?

[mcs]

If I can watch it for free and the Swans are playing, I will probably have a gander.

I wonder who we'd pick in the scenario that we were trying to pick our strongest possible side? Here's a suggestion: Franklin, Heeney, Lloyd, Rampe, Hannebery, Reid, Papley, Newman, Parker, Rohan?

We would probably have a pretty damn good first choice team - but surely no team, unless its stupid prizemoney, will be lining up any more than maybe 1 or 2 token stars, as surely getting them some extra rest (or early surgery where required) would be far more beneficial for the premiership season the following year, then playing in some gimmicky brainfart idea from AFL HQ.

[barry]

I heard it's part of the salary increase, so if they structure it so that you get cap relief or something based on the wage of the players you put up. I.e. favours highest paid players, it might work.
Tippet and buddy would be automatic selections.

[bloodspirit]

I often don't know whether to take you seriously, barry.

[barry]

I often don't know whether to take you seriously, barry.

Wild speculation. But the AFL have stated recently that they have trouble with rep football because of players not being allowed to play by clubs then they announce big part increase, then talk of AFLX tied to pay increase.

Just joining the dots. It would be stupid of the AFL to put a line through rep football one week then the next offer up a type of rep football without first solving the problem.

[barry]

... or maybe the prize for winning the AFLX series is you get to shuffle up 2 places in the draft order. Which is transferable to next year for last and 2nd last.

[bloodspirit]

...

[Untamed Snark]

... or maybe the prize for winning the AFLX series is you get to shuffle up 2 places in the draft order. Which is transferable to next year for last and 2nd last.

Every player competing gets a free downgrade at the MRP

[bloodspirit]

Every player competing gets a free downgrade at the MRP

[707]

AFLX - I had to check my calendar to make sure it wasn't 1st April!

Gee we nurse key players through the preseason to avoid injury and now the AFL come up with this? Too many in AFL House with nothing to do methinks. So why would any club risk a required player in a competition that doesn't mean anything. First game a player goes down with an ACL and watch the outcry from clubs.

Clubs could miss the finals (say us) but still have a reserve side in finals so what players front for AFLX, best 22 players? Then we lose Buddy to an ACL? The AFL needs to get a grip, clubs spend $30mill every year to try and win a flag, nothing would want to put that in jeopardy for the following year.

8 point games, 8 point games, 8 point games, gotta win all the 8 point games

[dejavoodoo44]

I'm not sure if too many of the players not involved in finals, will appreciate having their Mad Monday celebrations put off for a week, in order to play AFLX. As some sort of compromise, perhaps the two events could be combined? I mean, each side being comprised of players in fancy dress and off their faces, would be treating AFLX with the respect that it deserves.

[Flying South]

I have never stopped believing. If we beat the bombers next week and the cats beat fremantle, the suns beat saints and north beat dogs. We are in the 8. Unlikely, but possible going on this year's results.

I am calling it now. We will win the flag this year. I have that much belief in our boys. They will create history.

Believe in your team. Go the Bloods!!!

[S.S. Bleeder]

Believe in your team. Go the Bloods!!!

+1 but can we win with the umpires against us? They've been screwing us for the last decade and cost us a premiership last year. I can just picture us in the GF against the Brave Demons getting screwed over yet again, just as we saw tonight. The umpires are either biased, influenced by headquarters or grossly incompetent. I don't buy the incompetence theory because we are consistently on the receiving end. Until this gets fixed its not an even competition.

[Thunder Shaker]

Don't think this is a simulated ladder? Just the probability of making the 8.

It is, yes, but it can also be interpreted as a ladder.

The finals are starting to take shape. Six teams that are almost certain to make it are Adelaide, Geelong, GWS, Melbourne, Port and Richmond. The last two places are going to be fought out among Essendon, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast and Western Bulldogs.

The following games between these five sides are the most important in deciding who makes the finals:

Round 15: Western Bulldogs vs West Coast
Round 17: St Kilda vs Essendon
Round 18: Sydney vs St Kilda
Round 19: Western Bulldogs vs Essendon
Round 20: St Kilda vs West Coast

Essendon has the easiest fixture and should make the finals. They only play Adelaide out of the top 6 sides.

Our fixture has four away games against top-6 sides to come, but also five games against bottom-7 sides and an 8-point game against St Kilda. We will probably need to win at least one of the away games against Adelaide, GWS, Geelong or Melbourne to make the finals.