2017 AFL Season

[Lightning McQueen]

WHILE it would be a more likely proposition for 2019, the AFL may consider introducing a new fixture format next season.

The Age reports the fixture overhaul, which would involve the draw being programmed for 18 rounds with four concluding games set near the end of the season, would satisfy the AFL Players' request for two in-season byes.

The report suggests various versions to be debated at a meeting in Melbourne this week could see anything from the top six after 18 rounds guaranteed a finals place, while the bottom six play-off for draft advantages.

The middle six would compete for a final position in the finals series.

@daysofourlives

I read it as 18 games with a bye in there. Then the last 4 games really is for the bottom 6 to fight over draft picks, the middle 6 to fight over two finals spots as the top 6 have been assured a finals berth.

Would be rubbish this year as 5th to 10th might be one game in it....! 5th gets a finals spot after 18 rounds, could lose all 4, 10th could win the last 4 and "finish" above 5th (?).

I always tended to go with the "if it isn't broken, don't worry about fixing it" approach.

If anything, scrap the pre-season flog fest and throw some extra rounds in there, we've introduced too many teams now so perhaps look at chucking a couple more in and have a promotion/relegation system and everyone play each other once at home and once away.

The competition reeks of inequality as the $$$$'s are the main focus in today's game.

[bennymacca]

WHILE it would be a more likely proposition for 2019, the AFL may consider introducing a new fixture format next season.

The Age reports the fixture overhaul, which would involve the draw being programmed for 18 rounds with four concluding games set near the end of the season, would satisfy the AFL Players' request for two in-season byes.

The report suggests various versions to be debated at a meeting in Melbourne this week could see anything from the top six after 18 rounds guaranteed a finals place, while the bottom six play-off for draft advantages.

The middle six would compete for a final position in the finals series.

@daysofourlives

I read it as 18 games with a bye in there. Then the last 4 games really is for the bottom 6 to fight over draft picks, the middle 6 to fight over two finals spots as the top 6 have been assured a finals berth.

Would be rubbish this year as 5th to 10th might be one game in it....! 5th gets a finals spot after 18 rounds, could lose all 4, 10th could win the last 4 and "finish" above 5th (?).

that would be 21 games per year booney not 22, so that cant be right - would be 18 games over 19 rounds

[Booney]

WHILE it would be a more likely proposition for 2019, the AFL may consider introducing a new fixture format next season.

The Age reports the fixture overhaul, which would involve the draw being programmed for 18 rounds with four concluding games set near the end of the season, would satisfy the AFL Players' request for two in-season byes.

The report suggests various versions to be debated at a meeting in Melbourne this week could see anything from the top six after 18 rounds guaranteed a finals place, while the bottom six play-off for draft advantages.

The middle six would compete for a final position in the finals series.

@daysofourlives

I read it as 18 games with a bye in there. Then the last 4 games really is for the bottom 6 to fight over draft picks, the middle 6 to fight over two finals spots as the top 6 have been assured a finals berth.

Would be rubbish this year as 5th to 10th might be one game in it....! 5th gets a finals spot after 18 rounds, could lose all 4, 10th could win the last 4 and "finish" above 5th (?).

that would be 21 games per year booney not 22, so that cant be right - would be 18 games over 19 rounds

The AFLPA want "two in season byes" which, IMO, wouldn't include the break between finals as only 8 teams are still "in season".

I think the article reads as 18 rounds, but should say there's also two byes, so 22 games across 24 weeks. Bit ambiguous.

[bennymacca]

yeah, whatever they do they aint moving from 22 games a year per team as that is part of the TV deal

[FlyingHigh]

who would be everyones 18th game?

Port vs Crows
Lions vs Suns
Freo v WCE
Syd v GWS
would all be locks.

The Victorian rivalries may change from year to year but something like
Haw v Geelong
Bulldogs v St Kilda
Collingwood v Essendon
Carlton v Richmond
North v Melb

When I've used rivalries about Melbourne clubs in this context, someone always pipes up with that argument that some of these are recent or can change etc etc, so perhaps they could be called themed games or something similar.
I'd make one change there - Melbourne and Bulldogs were the first (IIRC, although Melb may have worn pink v Geel circa 2008?) to get into the Breast Cance game for a couple of seasons, and then they were the first two women's teams to play over the last few years. Could hold this game with the women's final as the curtain-raiser.
That would leave Nth Melb v St Kilda to forge the Good Friday game.

[bennymacca]

wouldnt have to be the same every year for the vic clubs

[daysofourlives]

WHILE it would be a more likely proposition for 2019, the AFL may consider introducing a new fixture format next season.

The Age reports the fixture overhaul, which would involve the draw being programmed for 18 rounds with four concluding games set near the end of the season, would satisfy the AFL Players' request for two in-season byes.

The report suggests various versions to be debated at a meeting in Melbourne this week could see anything from the top six after 18 rounds guaranteed a finals place, while the bottom six play-off for draft advantages.

The middle six would compete for a final position in the finals series.

@daysofourlives

I read it as 18 games with a bye in there. Then the last 4 games really is for the bottom 6 to fight over draft picks, the middle 6 to fight over two finals spots as the top 6 have been assured a finals berth.

Would be rubbish this year as 5th to 10th might be one game in it....! 5th gets a finals spot after 18 rounds, could lose all 4, 10th could win the last 4 and "finish" above 5th (?).

I know it probably doesnt concern the AFL for fairness but why would they only play 4 games in a 6 team comp when 5 is needed to play everyone once. Maybe the team you dont play will have the points from the regular season meeting carry over, might go someway to stop tanking.
Where this whole idea falls down is presumably the 13th ranked team gets the the no1 draft pick. In this current season that could be a Sydney or Hawthorn and they certainly dont deserve it before a team like Brisbane. Unless they plan to hand out priority picks more freely then it could work

[bennymacca]

13th wont get the no 1 pick, that would be terrible

one idea could be to have a draft lottery where a win gets you an extra entry, but the bottom ranked team still gets best chance

[Former Glory]

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/ ... lay-finals

Interesting read for those that like statistics. I think the initial story was shared on here prior to the season.

[Booney]

Stuart Crameri out for the season with a hip injury.

[Lightning McQueen]

This is the most even season I can remember for some time, I like it.

[woodublieve12]

Wish the players went on strike, get this season over and done with

[Booney]

Richmond has been fined $5,000 for failing to provide up to date player whereabouts information to ASADA.

The fine was handed out under the AFL’s anti-doping code due to the club cancelling a training session and not updating its training schedule in order to inform ASADA.

Port Adelaide has also been hit with a lesser sanction of $2,500 after failing to notify ASADA that a player was unwell and set to miss an upcoming training session.

All clubs must provide up to date player whereabouts information to ASADA at all times for testing purposes.

[gadj1976]

This is the most even season I can remember for some time, I like it.

Phew. Going by that logic, we're the best 17th team ever! (well, ok, slight exaggeration).

I'm liking it too but it's making footy tipping difficult.

[Jim05]

Silly season starting early.
SEN reporting the Bombers have offered Dusty $1.6m a year. I know we will have plenty of cap space but no way would we offer that much for 1 bloke

[daysofourlives]

Silly season starting early.
SEN reporting the Bombers have offered Dusty $1.6m a year. I know we will have plenty of cap space but no way would we offer that much for 1 bloke

Isnt everyone going to have that cap space? Great year to be a free agent or out of contract. Will be interesting to see how many clubs do a Sydney and put all their eggs in one basket

[Jim05]

Silly season starting early.
SEN reporting the Bombers have offered Dusty $1.6m a year. I know we will have plenty of cap space but no way would we offer that much for 1 bloke

Isnt everyone going to have that cap space? Great year to be a free agent or out of contract. Will be interesting to see how many clubs do a Sydney and put all their eggs in one basket

The new cap rise helps all sides but there are a few that already had stacks in reserve. North and the Saints were two that already had plenty of room before the new deal kicks in and we will have a fair bit to work with also

[Spargo]

I'd rather Kelly than Dusty, but I wouldn't say no to both

[Jim05]

I'd rather Kelly than Dusty, but I wouldn't say no to both

I'd prefer Kelly aswell but his cost is too much as he isn't a FA so the Giants would demand 2 first round picks for him. Don't have to give up any picks to get Dusty

[Spargo]

I'd rather Kelly than Dusty, but I wouldn't say no to both

I'd prefer Kelly aswell but his cost is too much as he isn't a FA so the Giants would demand 2 first round picks for him. Don't have to give up any picks to get Dusty

Kelly reads the play unbelievabley, his game yesterday was fantastic.