2019 Fixture

[barry]

That's pre-Gill thinking Liz.

[R-1]

The thing is the present method of fixturing is actually way superior than every proposed alternative except the radically unrealistic ones

[KSAS]

The eight current non-Victorian teams stay. Geelong stays. One of the existing Melbourne teams shoves off to Tasmania. The remaining eight Melbourne teams duke it out for the last four spots in what would finally approximate a national competition.

I remember back in the late 80's when Mike Willese was involved with the club, saying couple of times that there are too many teams in Melbourne. His comments did stir the pot a bit and this was pre Eddie who would've been just a cub reporter at the time.

[Doctor J.]

The draw (or fixture) can't be fair until every team plays each other twice. I don't think 34 games a year is viable (or desirable) and nor do I think chopping the competition down to 12 teams is viable (or desirable). But there is a middle ground - 14 teams and 26 games per year, with slightly bigger lists to make the 26 games a little less onerous on players (and to absorb playing stock made redundant by deleting some teams).

The eight current non-Victorian teams stay. Geelong stays. One of the existing Melbourne teams shoves off to Tasmania. The remaining eight Melbourne teams duke it out for the last four spots in what would finally approximate a national competition.

Nearly got it Liz.

Its too simplistic to say cut the comp to 14 teams meaning 26 games. You are suggesting cutting teams that represent a significant part of the supporter base. I suggest the comp be cut to 16 teams and 26 games. Therefore only 4 rounds off imperfection not the current 12.

6 of the current non-Vic teams stay. They've earned their rights to stay in the comp, via premierships or strong supporter bases.
GWS goes
GCS goes
Geelong stays
Hawthorn goes to Tassie (seeing as though they are currently fighting the AFL to maintain their games down there)
Western Bulldogs become Western Bulldogs based in Western Sydney.
North can do what they should have done years ago, and relocate to the Gold Coast. (they would at least attract a bigger crowd)
StKilda can relocate to Canberra.

This leaves 5 teams in Melbourne. 1 in Geelong and 10 teams spread throughout the remaining 5 states and the ACT.

A closer representation of a National competition than we have today.

With more rounds, 26 and less teams the problems with the current fixture are lessened. 18 into 22 just doesn't work, and never will, and a 34 round season doesn't work without increasing the size of player lists to cater for fatigue and injuries.

Over to you Gill

[aardvark]

How about we shove North down to Tassie and have a Victorian conference of 9 and an interstate conference of 9. Home and away rounds in conference and one round cross conference =25 games and a balanced draw for everyone.

[Markwebbos]

Surely Carlton is disadvantaged by not having the opportunity to play themselves

[rb4x]

Carlton would not be disadvantaged as they would not be playing their first team (GWS) twice.

[barry]

Carlton would not be disadvantaged as they would not be playing their first team (GWS) twice.

Only one inter-club practice match for GWS-Carlton then ?

[Swansongster]

Nearly got it Liz.

Its too simplistic to say cut the comp to 14 teams meaning 26 games. You are suggesting cutting teams that represent a significant part of the supporter base. I suggest the comp be cut to 16 teams and 26 games. Therefore only 4 rounds off imperfection not the current 12.

6 of the current non-Vic teams stay. They've earned their rights to stay in the comp, via premierships or strong supporter bases.
GWS goes
GCS goes
Geelong stays
Hawthorn goes to Tassie (seeing as though they are currently fighting the AFL to maintain their games down there)
Western Bulldogs become Western Bulldogs based in Western Sydney.
North can do what they should have done years ago, and relocate to the Gold Coast. (they would at least attract a bigger crowd)
StKilda can relocate to Canberra.

This leaves 5 teams in Melbourne. 1 in Geelong and 10 teams spread throughout the remaining 5 states and the ACT.

A closer representation of a National competition than we have today.

With more rounds, 26 and less teams the problems with the current fixture are lessened. 18 into 22 just doesn't work, and never will, and a 34 round season doesn't work without increasing the size of player lists to cater for fatigue and injuries.

Over to you Gill

This actually a realistic suggestion. The precedent is there for relocations to work with the displaced team largely retaining their traditional supporter bases. i don't know any old South or Fitzroy fans that don't follow Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

Rebranding has also worked OK in retaining new frontier fans (first-time Brisbane supporters transitioned well from Bears to Lions). It will also give the teams representing the latest expansion regions (GC and GWS) some fans. At the moment they are struggling for support.

Unfortunately, AFL House will not reduce the number of games for TV rights reasons but a 24-round season wouldn't reduce the number greatly and you could bolster the short-fall with a few extra finals, perhaps.

[royboy42]

This actually a realistic suggestion. The precedent is there for relocations to work with the displaced team largely retaining their traditional supporter bases. i don't know any old South or Fitzroy fans that don't follow Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

Rebranding has also worked OK in retaining new frontier fans (first-time Brisbane supporters transitioned well from Bears to Lions). It will also give the teams representing the latest expansion regions (GC and GWS) some fans. At the moment they are struggling for support.

Unfortunately, AFL House will not reduce the number of games for TV rights reasons but a 24-round season wouldn't reduce the number greatly and you could bolster the short-fall with a few extra finals, perhaps.

I know lots of ex Fitzroy supporters who follow anyone BUT Brisbane. Bris president made very derogatory comments on the Footy Show about the Roys after the takeover was announced.
The old Royboys have very long memories.
I also know that not one ex Royboy went to Collingwood.

[Swansongster]

Not my experience but I don't doubt yours.

[barry]

This actually a realistic suggestion. The precedent is there for relocations to work with the displaced team largely retaining their traditional supporter bases. i don't know any old South or Fitzroy fans that don't follow Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

Rebranding has also worked OK in retaining new frontier fans (first-time Brisbane supporters transitioned well from Bears to Lions). It will also give the teams representing the latest expansion regions (GC and GWS) some fans. At the moment they are struggling for support.

Actually, GC crowds have been quite strong considering the teams performance. It wasnt the lions that made Brisbane more popular in Queensland, it was having a competitive team.
GWS crowds arent quite where they need to be. But an extra 5000 per game wouldnt hurt. Havent had the breakout season to capture the market yet.

GC or GWS crowds in Victoria = who cares.

[Bloods05]

GC or GWS crowds in Victoria = who cares.

GC or GWS crowds anywhere: who cares?

[stevoswan]

I know lots of ex Fitzroy supporters who follow anyone BUT Brisbane. Bris president made very derogatory comments on the Footy Show about the Roys after the takeover was announced.
The old Royboys have very long memories.
I also know that not one ex Royboy went to Collingwood.

Not my experience but I don't doubt yours.

royboy42 is correct. It was a league driven takeover and an acrimonious one at that. Fitzroy fans were not happy and saw Brisbane as just stealing their name. They only took three Fitzroy players so there was nothing for the Roys fans to barrack for. Some have returned to follow the jumper but it's vastly different to the Swans situation.

We Sth Melbourne Swans fans at least had the same players to barrack for and they were still playing in the same jumper (slightly modified to reflect our new home) and were still the Swans.....just in Sydney.....and back then they were still a bunch of losers, so it was just like following the old South Melbourne!

It wasn't hard to follow our team to Sydney but in regard to the Brisbane 'Lions', Roys fans were bitter for years....until about 2001, I believe.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Nearly got it Liz.

Its too simplistic to say cut the comp to 14 teams meaning 26 games. You are suggesting cutting teams that represent a significant part of the supporter base. I suggest the comp be cut to 16 teams and 26 games. Therefore only 4 rounds off imperfection not the current 12.

6 of the current non-Vic teams stay. They've earned their rights to stay in the comp, via premierships or strong supporter bases.
GWS goes
GCS goes
Geelong stays
Hawthorn goes to Tassie (seeing as though they are currently fighting the AFL to maintain their games down there)
Western Bulldogs become Western Bulldogs based in Western Sydney.
North can do what they should have done years ago, and relocate to the Gold Coast. (they would at least attract a bigger crowd)
StKilda can relocate to Canberra.

This leaves 5 teams in Melbourne. 1 in Geelong and 10 teams spread throughout the remaining 5 states and the ACT.

A closer representation of a National competition than we have today.

With more rounds, 26 and less teams the problems with the current fixture are lessened. 18 into 22 just doesn't work, and never will, and a 34 round season doesn't work without increasing the size of player lists to cater for fatigue and injuries.

Over to you Gill

+1. That's the way it should have happened by Demetriou really screwed things up.