This really needs to be looked at.

We can debate "affiliation vs stand alone" but to me the bigger issue is this league not starting and finishing their season at the same time as the AFL.

The first game is 9th April  - which is already AFL round 3. We need to be getting real game time ( even if it is limited minutes) into Petracca and Trengove and allow the likes of Stretch, ANB and others to show good game form and put pressure on the seniors - makes it more difficult for them when their chance to shine is two weeks behind the AFL schedule.  

The good thing is that they have the practice match tomorrow which then goes straight to round 1 the week after.

19 minutes ago, nutbean said:

This really needs to be looked at.

We can debate "affiliation vs stand alone" but to me the bigger issue is this league not starting and finishing their season at the same time as the AFL.

The first game is 9th April  - which is already AFL round 3. We need to be getting real game time ( even if it is limited minutes) into Petracca and Trengove and allow the likes of Stretch, ANB and others to show good game form and put pressure on the seniors - makes it more difficult for them when their chance to shine is two weeks behind the AFL schedule.  

Actually i want the VFL to finish 2 or 3 weeks earlier than the AFL Grand Final.   AFL players do not need a VFL practice match in the 3rd week of the afl Finals series.

 

But I agree with you 'nut',   the VFL season should start at the same time as AFL.... or even a week earlier,  if can be managed.  this would help players needing a solid hitout because of delayed pre-season fitness issues.

 

Also I'd like to see the VFL not take bye weekends, but individual teams a week off along the season,  for schedule balance.

Edited April 1, 20169 yr by dee-luded

I swear in previous years the VFL has started and finished 1 week before the AFL. Totally agree that it's not good for players trying to forced their way into the team, a reserves comp is inevitable I think, it's just a matter of sorting out logistics and costings. 

Edited April 1, 20169 yr by Pates

I'm not sure the VFL needs to be a 22 round comp in line with the AFL. Seems like too many games for a reserves/development league. 

Casey will play their 3rd (or 4th?) practice match this week and as long as their are practice games for our players to play before the AFL season starts and then practice or real games starting promptly then I don't mind. 

The scratch match wasn't ideal last week but Casey had played the week before, so most guys had a chance to play one game over the fortnight which is what the AFL guys did.