1 minute ago, Skuit said:

Those bloody millennials again, ruining everything. 

While I haven't actually seen any information that the millenials are the ones who don't have the attention span for a longer game, I suspect you are correct. And it's not just AFL. Cricket has the same problem, hence the emphasis on shorter formats of the game.

7 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

While I haven't actually seen any information that the millenials are the ones who don't have the attention span for a longer game, I suspect you are correct. And it's not just AFL. Cricket has the same problem, hence the emphasis on shorter formats of the game.

Just to be clear - I'm borderline millennial and can't stand 20-20. I would also love to see epic six hour footy games. 

Might be something resembling our praccy match V's North where quarters ran to the 23 minute mark.

As an alternative, they could have double the break in play after each goal - say 60-70 seconds with 16 minute quarters. Should be able to get the quarters to high 20's , but the players would be getting sufficient rest between goals.

21-24 minute quarters does seem a bit short changed.

17 hours ago, Dame Gaga said:

I didn't hear an explanation in the announcement for the reason for the 16 minute quarters. Did anyone else? 

I'm a little bit behind with the news so this may have been said already...

They said they are reducing quarters from 20 mins to 16 mins, so that players still have gas in the tank should we end up playing extra midweek games. 

Which makes sense.

But... did I not hear a couple of days ago that the AFL was also pushing for players to take a 20% pay cut this season, which obviously the players/ALFPA weren't too thrilled about?

If so, surely it's no coincidence that 20% is exactly what they've reduced game time by?

Player welfare is the narrative, but forcing the hand of the players/ALFPA to cough up some cash is maybe the hidden agenda?

/speculation

16 minutes is a terrible idea - everyone knows the criteria for close contact is face-to-face for 15 minutes.

So, obviously, the quarters should be 14 minutes long, and then everyone will be safe.