Jump to content

An Extra Round in 2025?

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 
 

No thought for players at all. More injuries the likely outcome

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    15 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

    Why?

    $$$

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    • Angry 1
    5 minutes ago, Binmans PA said:

    $$$

    The players won’t want it. I’m all for an a 20 team comp where everyone plays everyone once, the top 9 play a modified finals with 2 extra weeks and there’s a bye before the GF. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    Just now, Roost it far said:

    The players won’t want it. I’m all for an a 20 team comp where everyone plays everyone once, the top 9 play a modified finals with 2 extra weeks and there’s a bye before the GF. 

    The players were all over the idea of gather round. I didn’t hear any pushback or bargaining from them.

    If they go to 24 home and away games the aflpa should just fold.

     

  • Quote

    27 minutes ago, BDA said:

    No thought for players at all. More injuries the likely outcome

    I wonder if it's a prelude to publicly consider shortening matches...

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
    • Vomit 2
    16 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

    The players were all over the idea of gather round. I didn’t hear any pushback or bargaining from them.

    If they go to 24 home and away games the aflpa should just fold.

     

    because they got paid for it

    the afl season starting in the first week of march is just absurd

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    27 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

    So they’re adding one more home and away game at the expense of that weekend of meaningless match simulations.

    What’s the issue?

    Have you seen the amount of cramping and injuries in the first two rounds? It’s far too hot to play games in early March. Especially in the northern states. The season is so long already and we are asking so much more from players. 

    A practice game is just that, you get extra rotations and players on the bench and you can pick and choose who to play and for how long. Completely different to a proper season match. 

    If they keep extending the season they need to also increase the bench to 5+ sub and increase rotations and probably add in a second bye. Otherwise players will break down more frequently, and nobody wants that. 

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    As hard as it was to wait for the season to start, this is a bad idea.

    It's basically a winter sport ( or close to) and the Afls want people to play on the cusp of Feb/ Mar.

    The humidity in the Swans game was real.

    Throw in changing seasons and it starts to become silly playing so early in the year. Especially in WA and Qld.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    18 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

    Have you seen the amount of cramping and injuries in the first two rounds? It’s far too hot to play games in early March. Especially in the northern states. The season is so long already and we are asking so much more from players. 

    A practice game is just that, you get extra rotations and players on the bench and you can pick and choose who to play and for how long. Completely different to a proper season match. 

    If they keep extending the season they need to also increase the bench to 5+ sub and increase rotations and probably add in a second bye. Otherwise players will break down more frequently, and nobody wants that. 

    Fair points. They'd need to ensure the games are all played at twilight and night if at all possible.

    From an entertainment and viewership perspective I have no doubt this will be a successful move.

    For years I've felt the AFL have given the NRL a head start in the first half of March.

  • Quote
    1 hour ago, Engorged Onion said:

    I wonder if it's a prelude to publicly consider shortening matches...

    Shortening matches would actually make sesnse EO. Games seem to be going longer than ever these days with the number of score reviews and other nonsense. One would think ticket prices and TV deal money would still increase if matches were 10% shorter, especially if there's an extra 9 games on the TV. 

    18 minute qtrs plus time on? What's the down side? 

    Is it a recipe for more injuries driven by less player fatigue hence greater volume and ferocity of impacts or possibly even the opposite? 

  • Quote

    If they are going to extend the season, I think it would make more sense to go through to October than start in early March.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Clap 1
    9 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

    If they are going to extend the season, I think it would make more sense to go through to October than start in early March.

    Agree but then again I'm a start in April guy and 17 rounds.

    I've certainly not witnessed a great fan demand for more games.

    Still waiting for the AFL to explain how the season will work when we have 19 teams. Sure you have a rolling bye for 18 weeks but then you need multiple byes in the last 3/4 weeks to even up game numbers. The ladder will become impossible.

    I'm not adverse to a pre-season under 23 comp or similar using some VFL players to make up numbers

    Edited by Diamond_Jim

  • Quote
    • Clap 1

    4 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

    because they got paid for it

    the afl season starting in the first week of march is just absurd

    I’m more than aware they didn’t do it for free but they were adding an extra round and travel for 16 teams, the afl snuck it through cheaply. They should’ve held out for more than they got 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

    Agree but then again I'm a start in April guy and 17 rounds.

    I've certainly not witnessed a great fan demand for more games.

    Still waiting for the AFL to explain how the season will work when we have 19 teams. Sure you have a rolling bye for 18 weeks but then you need multiple byes in the last 3/4 weeks to even up game numbers. The ladder will become impossible.

    I'm not adverse to a pre-season under 23 comp or similar using some VFL players to make up numbers

    this is how it is in mid gippy. everyone gets a bye and then 4 of the last 5 rounds have 3 teams with a bye at the same time. then some poor team gets the bye in the last round before finals. a few years ago newborough had that bye and finished top - which gave them a week off in finals so they played, had a week off, another week off, big final which they won that put them in the GF, a week off and then the GF. so they played 2 games in just under 6 weeks...... and predictably got rolled in the GF by a team that had played the last 4 weeks without a break. 

    19 teams means theyd have to get rid of the pre-finals bye and move it to before the GF, surely

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
    5 minutes ago, biggestred said:

    this is how it is in mid gippy. everyone gets a bye and then 4 of the last 5 rounds have 3 teams with a bye at the same time. then some poor team gets the bye in the last round before finals. a few years ago newborough had that bye and finished top - which gave them a week off in finals so they played, had a week off, another week off, big final which they won that put them in the GF, a week off and then the GF. so they played 2 games in just under 6 weeks...... and predictably got rolled in the GF by a team that had played the last 4 weeks without a break. 

    19 teams means theyd have to get rid of the pre-finals bye and move it to before the GF, surely

    Agree it will have to be something like that but what a mess. Imagine the arguments over whether that final section of byes should be alternated/random or fixed. Remember the AFL loves to manufacture tension not to mention blockbusters and if you get rid of the pre-finals bye you have the issue of teams playing interstate.

  • Quote
    •  
    3 hours ago, Dee*ceiving said:

    Shortening matches would actually make sesnse EO. Games seem to be going longer than ever these days with the number of score reviews and other nonsense. One would think ticket prices and TV deal money would still increase if matches were 10% shorter, especially if there's an extra 9 games on the TV. 

    18 minute qtrs plus time on? What's the down side? 

    Is it a recipe for more injuries driven by less player fatigue hence greater volume and ferocity of impacts or possibly even the opposite? 

    Rather than shortening the matches the AFL could pause play within quarters to show more betting ads to kids.

    I'm comfortable with an April start and 18 matches when Tassie join. Appreciate this won't happen due to tv rights and revenue but any changes that make the season longer take away from the game.

  • Quote

    It's a fascinating conversation and it's definitely all driven by money but I would personally think fewer games, where there are a greater number of games with higher stakes would likely lead to making the competition even richer. 

     

    Edited by Dee*ceiving

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Carlton

      Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

        • Clap
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: North Melbourne

      I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 4 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Werribee

      The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

        • Thanks
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Carlton

      The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 222 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: North Melbourne

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 29 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

      The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

        • Haha
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 253 replies
      Demonland
    View All