Season too long?

[Cards13 9,117]

I think there is a need for 2 byes not just the one moving forward. Let's not kid ourselves the amount of running today's players do is massive. From preseason to game day, over so many rounds... 2 rests out of 23 weeks is a must. Otherwise at this stage the season is waaayyyy to long as a Dees fan. In 2-5 years hopefully it is not long enough.

[Sideshow Bob 2,165]

Add a team in Tassie and one in NT, maybe even on the Capital as well - that gives 21 teams. Play each other once 20 round season, 10 games every weekend. Done.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

No, 22 games is perfect. No one was saying any of this until this year, and this has been largely due to GWS' and Gold Coast's presence. If the AFL is so sure on having them in the league they can't compromise any of the fundamentals as it changes the true value of footy. We'll just have to wait until the teams are more evenly matched which will be painful for attendances and footy watches but one day these sides will be accepted as equal teams. I'm not in to radical change in football, just smarter fixturing, like the teams who play each other twice must be close in ladder positioning to the other from the previous season. I didn't warm to the 6-game rounds in the middle of the season, there were plenty of junk games in that period and it was a real lull.

[Guest KingDingAling]

theres 23 rounds...they play 22 games.... get it right

Fair call.

[45HG 1,539]

Terribly sorry - it's the equivalent of making the AFL finals a top 6...

[Range Rover 1,935]

Ask this poll question again in the middle of November with nothing on weekend TV to watch except crappy state cricket matches.

[Theo 263]

i just love footy so much i want it longer. theres 38 weeks of premier league i wanted something closer to that.

Teams that don't make the finals have nearly 7 months to wait before the proper season starts. I love my footy, so as part of pre-season I would like some early practice matches against other teams instead of waiting to February. Even a mini round robin comp for 2-3 weeks before xmas (after the draft) would be great to wet the appetite and give supporters, clubs and players a more interesting pre-season.

Edited August 25, 2012 by Theo

[daisycutter 28,722]

Teams that don't make the finals have nearly 7 months to wait before the proper season starts. I love my footy, so as part of pre-season I would like some early practice matches against other teams instead of waiting to February. Even a mini round robin comp for 2-3 weeks before xmas (after the draft) would be great to wet the appetite and give supporters, clubs and players a more interesting pre-season.

sorry Theo. whet - to sharpen (as in whetstone)

[BAMF 3,851]

Keep the season the length it is. Add more player spaces to teams lists. Cap players at 20 games per year.

[beelzebub 22,706]

With the growing intensities of the games I would think its a fair argument for two byes. But it wont happen under current arangements. Not unless the first round is MCG-less and thats unlikely to happen.

Pretty much stay as s for now Id reckon

Edited August 26, 2012 by belzebub59

[daisycutter 28,722]

they're all [censored]

should play 17 weeks but twice a week. that way play all sides twice

2 byes in the middle plus 4 weeks finals makes 23 weeks total with plenty of time for nab cup

even time for some state of origin rounds

easy!

[Dr. Gonzo 22,786]

The seasons not necessarily too long but in the interests of fairness it should be shortened so every team plays each other once, alternating H&A every other year. 17 games over 19 rounds allowing for two byes each and possibly a State of Origin weekend as well.

Won't be too much difference in total games from a TV rights perspective to what there was two years ago.

22 x 8 = 176

17 x 9 = 161

You could potentially also add in a wildcard finals round having 7 v 10 & 8 v 9 for the final two finals spots giving teams 1-6 a week off before finals (though this is probablt unnecessary.)

[Macca 16,174]

A 23 round season with 3 byes which gives us a season in which each club plays 20 games .

This could create 3 split rounds where clubs have their byes . In order to make these 'Split rounds' more appealing , the AFL could 'Theme' them . Games with a Rivalry / Blockbuster / Derby element could quite easily be marketed as 'Stand alone' matches . These split rounds could be double-ups so as to maximize revenue . As an example , Freo play the Eagles twice , once in a full round , the other in a split round .

The game itself has become a mini endurance event and having just 1 bye doesn't cut it . Teams are 'Resting' players more regularly so if that's going to be a continuum then a fairer way to do things is to have more byes .

Effectively this structure means 2 less games per season , per team (for financial reasons the AFL are never going to cut it back to 17 games) .

There's been rumours that the AFL have canvassed an extended finals series . To make up for the financial shortfall in a shortened season and to appease the AFL's broadcast partners , I reckon Dr Gonzo's idea of a wildcard weekend appeals (see post #37 above) . However , a wildcard weekend is not essential . The current final 8 works quite well without any real flaws .

As an aside , it's interesting that in the last 5 years , the qualifying final winners have all won their respective Preliminary finals . A two week break vs a one week break is now a massive advantage .

Edited August 26, 2012 by Macca

[Brian Wilson 331]

A 23 round season with 3 byes (20 games per team) . This allows for 3 split rounds . In order to make these 'Split rounds' more appealing , the AFL could 'Theme' them . Games involving a Rivalry / Blockbuster / Derby element could be marketed as 'Stand alone' games quite easily .

The game itself has become a mini endurance event and 1 bye just doesn't cut it . Teams are 'Resting' players more regularly so if that's going to be a continuum then a fairer way to do things is to have more byes .

Effectively this structure means 2 less games per season , per team (for financial reasons the AFL are never going to cut it back to 17 games) .

There's been rumours that the AFL have canvassed an extended finals series . To make up for the shortfall in a 20 game home and away season , I reckon Dr Gonzo's idea of a wildcard weekend appeals (see post #37 above) .

As an aside , it's interesting that in the last 5 years , the qualifying final winners have all won their respective Preliminary finals . A two week break vs a one week break is now a massive advantage .

Good point. I've been fascinated by the concept that a week off during the season is 'the dreaded bye', while a week off in the finals is a distinct advantage.

[Macca 16,174]

Good point. I've been fascinated by the concept that a week off during the season is 'the dreaded bye', while a week off in the finals is a distinct advantage.

Yep , of the 'Current' 8 , only the Cats and Freo didn't win after their bye , this season . The Cats lost by 6 pts to Sydney in Sydney (who were also coming off their bye) and .....Freo lost to the Bombers at home (the Bombers were also coming off their bye) .

In other words , for the good teams , you could argue that the bye is not a disadvantage...

Edited August 26, 2012 by Macca