RB wrote:I suspect the idea was to prevent the NRL, which started this weekend, from getting the 'jump' on the AFL.
Staggering rounds is also probably good for TV ratings - e.g. more Friday night footy etc.
Why on earth they thought it was a good idea to call it anything other than Round 1 I have no idea.
I think it's also having an eye on the future. When the Tassie team comes in, I wouldn't be surprised if Round 0/1 is already a permanent fixture so no team is having the first bye singularly. But I also suspect 2 byes will be in by then as well - this season the 8 teams of Round 0 all have 2 byes. It is a bit weird in that Brisbane, Sydney and GWS all have 2 byes before most other clubs even have their first, just means a long run home for them.