The AFL's nightmare is scheduled to occur in round 22. The winner of the Melb -Carl game(assuming they lose all games , and we win one or less), MUST be lost by both sides! The winner loses a top3 draft pick. There are only so many young inexperienced players to send out there.Backs can be played forward (and vice versa), rovers in the ruck,and star players omitted"injured". With BOTH sides desperate to lose, a farcical game could result.

Solution?? The AFL must ensure either Melb win 2 games or Carlton one, prior to round 22. How does the AFL obtain a result it wants? They did it in the 2005 GF. Hall escaped suspension inexplicably, and the holding the ball rule was altered for the game, such that it suited Sydney's game plan.(NO holding the balls were given in the whole game, creating multiple stoppages for the side most adept at using them).

What can they do to achieve the easiest required result(Carlton one win)? The only thing I can think of is to instruct a trusted umpire to pay a few frees right in front.(not difficult, since video replays show that contested marks are almost NEVER taken without a hand brushing a back.)

Can Demonlanders think of any other clandestine tactics the AFL can employ to avert their nightmare.

I reckon it will be awesome if both teams go into round 22 with the same amount of wins as they have now

The happenings during the game could make it big news, if it is obvious both teams are trying to lose

Will be very interesting, if not hilarious

If the AFL continue to award priority picks based on a team's lack of success then the issue of tanking - actual or perceived will always be there. If you want to avoid the isue of tanking .......remove the incentive.

By the way what result do you think the AFL wants? What proof have you got that they have an agenda for the final round?

"The AFL must ensure either Melb win 2 games or Carlton one, prior to round 22. " That does not solve the issue at all as Carlton and Melbourne can play for lower ladder positions.

Secondly it allows Richmond some unchallenged entitlement to a second round priority pick this year and the potential of a first round pick next year. How is that fair?

I reckon it will be awesome if both teams go into round 22 with the same amount of wins as they have now

The happenings during the game could make it big news, if it is obvious both teams are trying to lose

We are on 3 wins now, so we could win that game without losing our priority pick. Plus, I can't see us beating any team we play before then.

We are on 3 wins now, so we could win that game without losing our priority pick. Plus, I can't see us beating any team we play before then.

But we crystallise Carlton's PP. :angry:

Hell, I want them to win another game this year.

If we are on 3 wins and they are on 5 wins leading into R22, then I want to belt their socks off and have a big win. B)

This bodes as one of the funniest games ever in AFL history.. everyone playig out of position.. teams playing kick to kick.. Players handballing ( perfectly ) to the opposition. Everyone playing poison ball..lol. Missed shots from point blank. Will be worth the admission for this one..lol

Both sides could flood away from the ball! B)

First nil all draw in VFL/AFL history avoided by a Wheatley torpedo from 75m...for a rushed behind

First nil all draw in VFL/AFL history avoided by a Wheatley torpedo from 75m...for a rushed behind

Why nil-all?

Why wouldn't you rush behinds all day to put the opposition in front? Flood the forward line? Kick to a leading backman? Kick it out deliberately near the Carlton goal? Deliberately give away frees right in front? Give away 50s into the goal square? The final score could be 0.32.32 to 0.31.31.

how many rule chnages ought we expect as a result of this game ??

Carroll at FF...

I anticipate the Dees will trial a new away strip for this game. Predominantly the Deep blue with a small red trim to the neck and a new white MFC logo on the chest...ought to be rather fetching ...

I said to my Dad on sunday that we have to lose that game if the blues don't win before then and said either of these 2 set ups should occur

Brown to ruck with white, jamar, PJ to play the rovers.... all at once!

or brown, godfrey, ward all in the square cos if we win the tap and it goes to them they will just turn it over any way.

play a reverse flood, flood our forwards and leave fev by himself to kick 20!

This won't be a problem when the AFL comes to their senses and awards the first pick to the team that finishes 9th and does away with priority picks.

We should play Robbo on Fevola, Davey at CHB, Carroll at FF, Newton in the ruck, and bring on whoever else is on our senior list who is yet to play (Weetra etc...).

Rest White, Neita, McLean and Jones. Put Ferguson at CHF, Miller on the wing, Ward in the midfield, and play 'run and carry'... the other way! :D

I'll be at that game, hungover from the night before no doubt, and it'll make for some very humorous viewing!

I can see 36 deck chairs set up.. 18 either half.. with every one just watching the First of 4 bounces !! lol

I said to my Dad on sunday that we have to lose that game if the blues don't win before then and said either of these 2 set ups should occur

Brown to ruck with white, jamar, PJ to play the rovers.... all at once!

or brown, godfrey, ward all in the square cos if we win the tap and it goes to them they will just turn it over any way.

play a reverse flood, flood our forwards and leave fev by himself to kick 20!

I guarantee Brock won’t need to shake a tag.

This won't be a problem when the AFL comes to their senses and awards the first pick to the team that finishes 9th and does away with priority picks.

But it sure is a problem now, Gouga!

My method would be to play like hell against the Blues, and try to win by as much as possible. 15 secs to go, put the 4 interchange on, making 22 players on the field. Make sure the ump knows, then lose all your score. Don't resume if Carlton try the same trick in response.(but a nil-all draw is no good to them!)

The clubs will want to tank but the caretaker coaches who coach for a living (whether head or assistant) will want to win.

Many years ago the AFL took our first pick and gave it to Freo for a salary cap indescretion. Maybe they can do the same with 4 ppoints if we get a win.

The more I think about round 22, the more I think the AFL CAN'T let the farcical Melb/Carl match occur.

The more I think about round 22, the more I think the AFL CAN'T let the farcical Melb/Carl match occur.

Why don't we just play our best 22?

They managed to lose to Carlton twice last year.

I acknowledge that most of these posts are in jest, but players won't go out wanting to lose.

Then it comes down to selection, and it was noted by another poster that our 'best 22' in recent times has managed to concede the four points

The more I think about round 22, the more I think the AFL CAN'T let the farcical Melb/Carl match occur.

Did the AFL intervene in the Bryce Gibbs cup match last year between Essendon and Carlton?

I acknowledge that most of these posts are in jest, but players won't go out wanting to lose.

They still do Rogue. And they only beat Carlton because MFC played about 6 minutes of good football in 2 bursts.

I know what the players want to do. They seem incapable of doing it.

If the AFL want to remove the smear of tanking it should do the following:

1. Abolish any first round priority picks.

2. Make the first 8 draft picks for the bottom 8 clubs subject to lucky dip or a random extraction of numbers like Tattslotto or barrier draws for the Melb Cup.

In recognition of the problem for weaker clubs maintain the 2nd round priority pick for teams that win less than 20 points in an AFL season.

So a team that tanks it and wins less than 5 games a year has a 12.5% chance of getting the number one draft pick and pick 17 then usual order.

The safety and surety of access to rich talent if you barrel out of the year is severely challenge and incentive dampened

Did the AFL intervene in the Bryce Gibbs cup match last year between Essendon and Carlton?

They still do Rogue. And they only beat Carlton because MFC played about 6 minutes of good football in 2 bursts.

I know what the players want to do. They seem incapable of doing it.

There was less hanging on the "Bryce Gibbs"match....both sides were going to get a top 2 draft pick, whatever the outcome. Also, there was a rumour at the time that Ess and Carl had come to an agreement before the match. Carl wanted Gibbs. Ess wanted Gumbleton.

With respect to our victory against Carlton this year, we only won because we kicked straight, and they were very inaccurate. Also, we got an armchair ride from the umps, for a change.