The 10 worst AFL initiatives

[bush demon 1,900]

Reading each week about jumper clashes, it makes me wonder why the necessity to junk tradition and watch a home club team run around against 'unknowns'? Often there is no jumper clash at all, it is some cheap AFL initiative to water down club loyalty for the sake of television ratings or whatever reason. the next time i watch the 'afl-approved demons' play away i lose a bit. when i see them in some photoshopped jumper... it's just not the same.

Anyway, rate your ten worst afl initiatives from 10 to 1.

This can be over the last 25 years. By the way, my all-time worst is the shift from VFL Park to Etihad Car Park. My second worst is the botched finals system which allowed adelaide to trump us in 1998 and progress to a premiership - despite being flogged by the dees during the finals series.

Oops, i forgot dumping state of origin football, and creating the AFL in the first place, so:

10. the clash jumpers. problem is the clash jumper usually clashes with itself.

9.No reserves or u19 game before the main game.

8.agree with another poster: disgraceful ticketing arrangements for the grand final.

7. Fixturing, which gives the pole position profit-wise to a select few clubs.

6. Allowing two teams to have the 'match of the year' gifted to them in perpetuity, regardless of their position on the ladder ('Anzac Day' clash)

5. The loss of Saturday afternoon football

4. Junking state of origin football

3. The finals series which requires an undefeated team to win three consecutive matches to win the premiership

2.Creating the AFL in the first place.

1. Creation of Etihad Car Park, demolition of VFL Park, Waverley.

Apologies to omitting from my top ten the afl-designated 'legend' status. supporters and lovers of australian rules are the ultimate arbiters of legends, and aren't interested in another such afl tick of approval: john coleman was a legend long before the afl and long before it created this monty pythonesque concept. ron barassi was a rusted-on legend without some wacky belated announcement.

Edited May 19, 2011 by bush demon

[AllenIsLord13 1]

1) Allowing the teams to kick in directly from a point without waiting for the flags...

They did this with the intention of making the game "flow faster"

Whatevers years down the track it is now the ROOT of all million new rules introduced to 'slow the game down', 'stop impact collisions', etc etc - even, yes 'sling tackles'!

Swear to Allen if they repealed this, it would eradicate half the problems the 'modern game' somehow finds foistered on itself (and may have the unintended corrolary effect of binding the AFL to make, gasp, ZERO rule changes every fn year!!)

2) MRP - rigid numerical based formula throws common sense, logic and history out the window!

3) Alleged sling tackles!

[waynewussell 4,092]

1. 3 umpires

2. hands ON!!!! the back

3. kick in b4 flag wave

4. second centre circle

5. advantage rule (parts 1,2&3)

6. 50 mtr penalty

7. 4 on the bench

8. centre square

9. H.T.B. ruckman tackled etc.

10.front on contact

[Nasher 33,129]

3. Junking state of origin football

I don't see how this was avoidable in the professional era, given that clubs ceased wanting to make players available for the matches.

I'd also love to know your reasons why you think creating the AFL in the first place was a poor initiative.

[bush demon 1,900]

I don't see how this was avoidable in the professional era, given that clubs ceased wanting to make players available for the matches.

I'd also love to know your reasons why you think creating the AFL in the first place was a poor initiative.

Well it has destroyed the south australian and western australian football competitions for a start. look up a utube of the fantastic atmosphere and crowds which attended finals matches in these states. i think it was about 1974 when sturt or port adelaide beat carlton in the 'championship of australia' with barry robran starring. what a match. melbourne similarly won three 'championships' in the 50's and 1964 by overcoming the top south australian team. what exactly is 'west coast eagles'?

secondly it has created fake football teams like gfc and gwfc. diluting the brand. it is called national but denies a true football state like tasmania admission. look how well tassie does in the sheffield shield or whatever it is now called.

in the days before mass weekly injuries of footballers we had 18 home and away games and potentially two finals games. now we have a pre-season round of matches leading to a pre-season premiership followed by 22 games then maybe three or four finals for premiership aspirants. no wonder the clubs want to protect their players.

Ps this was the game i was referring to... check out the genuine interstate, and national rivalry. not the confected competition that we have ended up with in 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZqJBwvbWS8&feature=related

Edited May 19, 2011 by bush demon

[Roost It 1,434]

1. 3 umpires

2. hands ON!!!! the back

3. kick in b4 flag wave

4. second centre circle

5. advantage rule (parts 1,2&3)

6. 50 mtr penalty

7. 4 on the bench

8. centre square

9. H.T.B. ruckman tackled etc.

10.front on contact

1. No way 2 could keep up

2. Forwards have adapted easily and it takes away the unfair holding out of a contest forwards did by putting their hands on the defenders back.

3. Keeps the game moving stops the opposition from getting completely set.

4. reduced knee injuries to ruckmen by 80%

5. except for this years interpretation it's been a fantastic rule

6. Just don't do it, a bit like a parking ticket.

7. should be 2 and a sub

8. minimises congestion at the bounce

9. agreed

10. reduces serious injury

Except for points 7 and 9 I think they have all been good for the game.

[ickey_11 145]

1. Bringing in GWS (Won't have to wait long for this one).

2. Not supporting Fitzroy and forcing them to merge.

3. Final eight; having a finals system where half the teams make it. Final 5 and 6 was way better.

4. The biased draw that generally favours Essendon, Collingwood and Carlton.

6. Employing a lawyer to be the Operations Manager.

7. Expecting the same lawyer to employ common sense in decision making.

8. Bringing in stupid rules to boost the "allies" origin team causing the death of the concept.

9. Bringing in free agent.

10. The favourable draft picks that GCS received (won't have to wait long for this one).

[Watt and Howe? 16]

6. Employing a lawyer to be the Operations Manager.

7. Expecting the same lawyer to employ common sense in decision making.

Mate don't be a prejudice idiot.

[The Great One 99 125]

In no particular order:

1. McIntyre final eight system. Especially in '98

2. Ticketing for Grand finals

3. Draft picks for GC and GWS. The player poaching part

3b. The extra funds for salary that the new clubs can use. I thought that a salary cap meant that all teams had the amount.

4. Taking away Waverley.

5. Taking away the U19's and then reserves. (I still really miss the pre match reserves game)

6. Monday, Thursday, Sunday bloody evening, and every other stupid fixture attempt.

7. The decision to suspend Jack Trengove for 3 weeks

8. New sub rule. I think it's stupid. It was fine before.

8b. The way they feel the need to change the rules all the time

[AllenIsLord13 1]

Well it has destroyed the south australian and western australian football competitions for a start. look up a utube of the fantastic atmosphere and crowds which attended finals matches in these states. i think it was about 1974 when sturt or port adelaide beat carlton in the 'championship of australia' with barry robran starring. what a match. melbourne similarly won three 'championships' in the 50's and 1964 by overcoming the top south australian team. what exactly is 'west coast eagles'?

secondly it has created fake football teams like gfc and gwfc. diluting the brand. it is called national but denies a true football state like tasmania admission. look how well tassie does in the sheffield shield or whatever it is now called.

in the days before mass weekly injuries of footballers we had 18 home and away games and potentially two finals games. now we have a pre-season round of matches leading to a pre-season premiership followed by 22 games then maybe three or four finals for premiership aspirants. no wonder the clubs want to protect their players.

Ps this was the game i was referring to... check out the genuine interstate, and national rivalry. not the confected competition that we have ended up with in 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZqJBwvbWS8&feature=related

i complete appreciate and laud what you're trying to say - but its just untenable in the modern day...

Back then WAFL crowds regularly pulled 10,000+... reality is there is now a team called "West Coast" (for better or worse!)

SAFL - same with the Crows...

They regularly do a fantasy WA squad over here - comprising 80% Dockers/ Eagles, plus Joel Corey, Batemen & Buddy! Don't we see that every week anyway?

Don't get me wrong - would love to see it but....

Clubs are reluctant to relinquish their top stars - and to be fair, its not like the NBA All Star game. Players could genuinely get hurt even if not playing hard, and with the amounts of dollars now poured into players/ clubs, i think us fans would be ropeable if Moloney/ Trengove got a 8-week injury playing a Big V/ SA match!

Also agreed - Collingwood playing 1 game outside of Vic by Round 15 is a complete farce/ disgrace! Kangas played more games at Subi this year before Freo!!!

[waynewussell 4,092]

Are You Adrian Anderson Roost It?

I haven't got time to unravel the ball of wool for you, but think "dominos'!!!

[Supermercado 2,617]

One of the worst moments was when they branded the finals as "Septopia" as if people needed any marketing department push to get interested in September action. Screamed of a place run by the marketing department.

[rpfc 27,540]

Well it has destroyed the south australian and western australian football competitions for a start. look up a utube of the fantastic atmosphere and crowds which attended finals matches in these states. i think it was about 1974 when sturt or port adelaide beat carlton in the 'championship of australia' with barry robran starring. what a match. melbourne similarly won three 'championships' in the 50's and 1964 by overcoming the top south australian team. what exactly is 'west coast eagles'?

secondly it has created fake football teams like gfc and gwfc. diluting the brand. it is called national but denies a true football state like tasmania admission. look how well tassie does in the sheffield shield or whatever it is now called.

in the days before mass weekly injuries of footballers we had 18 home and away games and potentially two finals games. now we have a pre-season round of matches leading to a pre-season premiership followed by 22 games then maybe three or four finals for premiership aspirants. no wonder the clubs want to protect their players.

Ps this was the game i was referring to... check out the genuine interstate, and national rivalry. not the confected competition that we have ended up with in 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZqJBwvbWS8&feature=related

It think the term '[censored] inevitable' is most pertinently used when discussing the 'nationalisation' of the VFL...

[Roger Mellie 3,530]

Twilight games on Sunday, or any day for that matter.

I dont know a single person who has embraced this 'concept' read shyte.

[titan_uranus 22,520]

The hands in the back rule. An absolute shocker. There should be no need to penalise a player for putting his hands in another player's back if that contact does not substantially move the player. You can't push a player in the back such that he loses his balance or unfairly is pushed out of a marking contest. That should be the rule. The hands in the back rule goes too far.

[45HG 1,539]

Port Adelaide.

[Striker475 696]

1) GWS

2) Not forcing the Roos to the Gold Coast (going to be a great look when that club literally dies...Fitzroy all over again)

3) Out of Bounds = free kick in the NAB

4) Dissolving the U19s competition for the TAC Cup

5) Dissolving the reserves

6) Half-heartedly doing Waverley Park (3 grounds right now in Melbourne would be fantastic if Waverley had the required train line)

7) Any non-safety related rule change after the year 2000

all i got atm

[Bobby McKenzie 2,191]

1. 3 umpires Agree! Very unfit if two can't keep up with the game.

2. hands ON!!!! the back Terrible rule. I don't believe that the PUSH in the back is a bad rule BUT just putting your hands on the back Noooooooo!

3. kick in b4 flag wave Wait for flags IMO

4. second centre circle Ruined Jeff White's effectiveness but from a safety point of view not a bad idea.

5. advantage rule (parts 1,2&3) OK if CONSISTENT!

6. 50 mtr penalty Far too many soft 50m penalties now. Also some very confusing ones too. Drag a player down well after the mark = 50m penalty.

7. 4 on the bench No problems with this.

8. centre square Very necessary for eliminating congestion

9. H.T.B. ruckman tackled etc. Good rule.

10.front on contact You must turn your back on opponent when going for a spoil. An old rule but a good one.

Not happy with flooding and the 'keepings off' that happens in the last part of a game. To encourage attacking footy record 'points for' only instead of percentage. Teams will be ultra attacking and if the team well behind scores a couple of goals in the dying minutes so what?

[Tigers Dayz 2]

Well it has destroyed the south australian and western australian football competitions for a start. look up a utube of the fantastic atmosphere and crowds which attended finals matches in these states. i think it was about 1974 when sturt or port adelaide beat carlton in the 'championship of australia' with barry robran starring. what a match. melbourne similarly won three 'championships' in the 50's and 1964 by overcoming the top south australian team. what exactly is 'west coast eagles'?

secondly it has created fake football teams like gfc and gwfc. diluting the brand. it is called national but denies a true football state like tasmania admission. look how well tassie does in the sheffield shield or whatever it is now called.

in the days before mass weekly injuries of footballers we had 18 home and away games and potentially two finals games. now we have a pre-season round of matches leading to a pre-season premiership followed by 22 games then maybe three or four finals for premiership aspirants. no wonder the clubs want to protect their players.

Ps this was the game i was referring to... check out the genuine interstate, and national rivalry. not the confected competition that we have ended up with in 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZqJBwvbWS8&feature=related

Stuff the thread title, as an old pr$ck I'm impressed with this post; with the video, etc. #^%$ing technology, eh!!!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

It think the term '[censored] inevitable' is most pertinently used when discussing the 'nationalisation' of the VFL...

Agree but not for some.

They may as complain about University Football Club being shafted by the VFL 100 years ago.

And its laughable that people complain about the demise of Waverley, a lifeless concrete monstrousity that was a tribute to the complete lack of planning, design and arrangement. What a white elephant.

[Roost It 1,434]

Are You Adrian Anderson Roost It?

I haven't got time to unravel the ball of wool for you, but think "dominos'!!!

I'm not in a hurry so take your time.

[old55 21,383]

2.Creating the AFL in the first place.

1. invention of the wheel

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

6. Allowing two teams to have the 'match of the year' gifted to them in perpetuity, regardless of their position on the ladder ('Anzac Day' clash)

Have to disagree on this one, it's about supporters/members. These clubs are being rewarded for their consistency in terms of support regardless of ladder position.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

The hands in the back rule. An absolute shocker. There should be no need to penalise a player for putting his hands in another player's back if that contact does not substantially move the player. You can't push a player in the back such that he loses his balance or unfairly is pushed out of a marking contest. That should be the rule. The hands in the back rule goes too far.

I hated this rule when it first came in but I've grown to like it. I think it adds to the battle of strength and guile in the marking contest. The only problem I can see is the interpratation of the rule by the umpire and of course their ability to pick them up all the time. I think as time goes on players who've grown up with the rule simply won't use their hands and the rule will go unnoticed.

[Guest Gotzy15]

again not in any particular order:

1. Hands in the back, chopping of the arms and the death of the bump (game has become so soft)

2. Bringing in GWS and GCS, 2 uncompetitive sides that are nowhere near ready for AFL football at the time of their inception.

3. The MRP points system- what a joke, takes common sense and individuality of a case out of the equation.

4. Appointing Andrew Demetriou as the CEO and Adrian Anderson as the operations manager. Both absolute wankers who are only concerned with filling their pockets to the detriment of the game (i would love to see an entrepeneur style leader like a Richard Branson or Kerry packer type person.

5. The death Of Fitzroy. It still hurts me to this day even though im a passionate Melbourne fan. They should have intervened for the good of the game and provided financial support to help a great football club with a rich and proud history to survive.

6. Constructing Etihad stadium with a capacity of only 50 odd thousand. The population is continuing to grow rapidly and in a few years time it wont be able to field any matches between 2 Victorian clubs (watch this space)

7. The death of state of origin. The players want it, the fans want it.... why not the AFL??

8. Constant rule changes that are increasingly ambiguous

9. Clash jumpers

10. Anzac Day- Share it between all clubs not just collingwood and the dons