Pre-Grand Final Bye?

[Demonland 72,219]

Should the Pre-Finals Bye be moved to become a Pre-Grand Final Bye?

[In Harmes Way 7,794]

IMV the bye was introduced to maintain integrity of selections in the last round (not rest players) which was a problem with the betting agencies.

Having the bye before the finals gives all 8 teams the opportunity to have concussed players involved in the finals which makes for a better finals series spectacle.

I think it's just bad luck if a player gets concussed in the prelim. 

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

I would rather the bye before the Grand Final. Too much is read into resting players. I couldn't care less if a side rests players before the finals. If they did the work to get there then imo they have the right to prepare themselves for the final how they see fit. 

[In Harmes Way 7,794]

A lot of the reasons for original introduction of the bye are in this article, when North became the 2nd team to heavily rest players which was seen as compromising to Adelaide's ability to better their position on the ladder and get a home final (on the premise that North would lose, which they did by 41 pts). The AFL signed off on North's resting of players, and then not two months later introduced the bye stating "what happened in R23 this year was unsatisfactory and we committed to addressing that". 

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-stands-by-decision-to-let-kangaroos-rest-players-for-finals/news-story/f2e623b90567b9b1620aa852bdf4933f

[poita 3,902]

I would prefer the bye before the grand final as well if it gives a clear weekend for state and local competitions to play their grand final.

It doesn't really bother me if players are rested in round 23 - good luck to the clubs who have played well enough during the year to put themselves in that position.

 

[Demonstone 22,575]

I'm in favour of Option C:  No bye the week before or during finals.  Hate that dull week of no footy at all.

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

6 minutes ago, demonstone said:

I'm in favour of Option C:  No bye the week before or during finals.  Hate that dull week of no footy at all.

It will never happen but they could have All The awards, Rising Star, All Australian and Brownlow night rolled in together on the Friday night over the bye and then have a real festival of footy showcasing the 3 major state competition Grand finals on the Saturday. VFL Early afternoon eastern then SANFL Twilight then WAFL night. 

Could even throw under 18s on there if they wanted.

[whatwhat say what 22,775]

You have my vote @ArtificialWisdom

[drdrake 3,178]

11 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

It will never happen but they could have All The awards, Rising Star, All Australian and Brownlow night rolled in together on the Friday night over the bye and then have a real festival of footy showcasing the 3 major state competition Grand finals on the Saturday. VFL Early afternoon eastern then SANFL Twilight then WAFL night. 

Could even throw under 18s on there if they wanted.

Do it like NFL, play State of Origin the week before the GF with all non GF teams players available or rebrand it to an All stars game east coast QLD/Vic/NSW/Tas V SA/NT/WA.  

Get rid of the bye after the season and have it before the GF, give players a chance for the new concussion rule as well.  Missing a final is hard but missing a GF due to the 12 day rule would really suck.

[Lucifers Hero 39,885]

Initially I thought the pre GF bye was a good idea.  Then I heard an interview where the comment 'there are always hard luck stories at GF' was made.

And seeing this amazing position that Chelsea Randall has taken convinces me there should be no pre GF Bye.  chelsea-randall-concussion-ruled-out-of-adelaide-crows-vs-brisbane-lions-clash

Such a gracious, thoughtful person showing great leadership to the AFL community and trust and inspiration in her team. On the back of that the Crows will win the GF

Edited April 14, 2021 by Lucifer's Hero

[58er 6,456]

22 hours ago, poita said:

I would prefer the bye before the grand final as well if it gives a clear weekend for state and local competitions to play their grand final.

It doesn't really bother me if players are rested in round 23 - good luck to the clubs who have played well enough during the year to put themselves in that position.

 

What about the concussion issue ?

Got nothing up do with Local Comps who do their own fixtures around the AFL anyway. !

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

The finals are less interesting these days thanks to the bye before week 1.   It really kills the momentum of the season.

A pre grand final bye is the biggest momentum killer imaginable.

Edited April 14, 2021 by Pickett2Jackson

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Would much prefer the week off before the granny. Feels to me like players get smashed in prelims. Injuries, bad luck. But I wouldn’t want Viney missing a granny for a desperate act that left him a bit stunned and a doctor rules him out. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Yes i think the new concussion rules make this a very important situation 

Preliminary Finals will become a Smash up Derby

Edited April 14, 2021 by Sir Why You Little

[dl4e 5,851]

Too many busy bodies trying to change everything about how the game is run.