News ‘Would be unreal’: AFL to consult clubs over addition of ‘wildcard round’ to finals

[JackOutback]

Again playing each other once in a season is the fairest draw you can have if you can’t see that and bring up Vic bias I can’t help you sorry

It's not a 'Vic bias whinge', it's common sense. If you look at Geelong and GWS, who are both fighting for a spot in the eight this year, if Geelong played everyone once, but got West Coast, Freo, North and Hawthorn away, while getting fellow contenders like GWS, St Kilda and Carlton at Kardinia Park, while GWS get WC, Freo, North and Hawthorn at home, and travelling to play Geelong, Richmond, Carlton, Saints, etc, that is in no way an equitable draw. Not even on the same planet. Now, if Geelong get nine home games and eight away, while GWS get the reverse, it's even more out of kilter.

You can not create a fair draw in the AFL, the current 23-game season where lower teams are matched up slightly more against other lower teams and travel is managed to some extent is fairer than above.

 

[ferball]

You cant have the ladder in play. That would mean 13th is nearly the best spot outside the top 6. Would cruise into finals, where as 12th has no chance.

Same for finishing 7th. 6th would prob go 0-5 and miss the 8 every year.

Its a completely stupid idea.

There's 2 games between 6th (40pts) and 13th (32pts) right now. 13th has the higher percentage.

Thirteenth are playing us and the eagles. Sixth are playing Port and Collingwood. 12 playing two sides in the eight, maybe three if the eight changes as the rounds are played.

Its so shonky that the AFL will definitely implement it by 2025.

 

[ferball]

Basically the last 6 games you play teams in similar form.

Right now St Kilda would be playing Collingwood and Port. They wouldn't have beaten us without some shonky umpiring on the weekend.

Similar form?

 

[Carringbush2010]

Right now St Kilda would be playing Collingwood and Port. They wouldn't have beaten us without some shonky umpiring on the weekend.

Similar form?

Saints are probably an exception, regardless the idea would even up the games more, instead of dead rubbers.

 

[ferball]

Saints are probably an exception, regardless the idea would even up the games more, instead of dead rubbers.

It would compromise the integrity of the ladder.

After 17 rounds the team in sixth is higher ranked according to the fair draw but the teams below it in the eight have an better chance of making finals because they have an easier draw. Its harder for sixth than them. The team in sixth plays the best teams - all above it. The team in seventh plays teams all below it.

The team in sixth has been penalised for having a better performance across the even section of the draw.

In even years the team in 13th is better off than the teams in 10, 11 and 12 on the ladder, maybe even better of than sixth and eighth. So the whole process undermines the point of having a fair draw to begin with.

Its a fundamentally broken idea.

 

[HugeJohnson]

It would compromise the integrity of the ladder.

After 17 rounds the team in sixth is higher ranked according to the fair draw but the teams below it in the eight have an better chance of making finals because they have an easier draw. Its harder for sixth than them. The team in sixth plays the best teams - all above it. The team in seventh plays teams all below it.

The team in sixth has been penalised for having a better performance across the even section of the draw.

In even years the team in 13th is better off than the teams in 10, 11 and 12 on the ladder, maybe even better of than sixth and eighth. So the whole process undermines the point of having a fair draw to begin with.

Its a fundamentally broken idea.

One idea would be to lock in sixth position at a minimum, meaning no team can overtake them after 17 rounds and teams can only move up or down in their group.

 

[Carringbush2010]

It would compromise the integrity of the ladder.

After 17 rounds the team in sixth is higher ranked according to the fair draw but the teams below it in the eight have an better chance of making finals because they have an easier draw. Its harder for sixth than them. The team in sixth plays the best teams - all above it. The team in seventh plays teams all below it.

The team in sixth has been penalised for having a better performance across the even section of the draw.

In even years the team in 13th is better off than the teams in 10, 11 and 12 on the ladder, maybe even better of than sixth and eighth. So the whole process undermines the point of having a fair draw to begin with.

Its a fundamentally broken idea.

How would it compromise?

Every team has played each other after rd 17, you play the teams that are in your 6 (at the end of rd17) because they're most likely in similar to form to you. Where you end up in your 6 is reflective of your performance in the season so far.

The 6th placed team isn't guaranteed to lose all their games just coz they only play teams above them, your Saints example isn't a rule, they're an exception. No reason the dogs can't beat teams above them, run us to two goals.

The 6th placed team could win all their games for all we know

By the same token it doesn't guarantee that the 7th placed team would win all their games coz they're above every other team in their 6. The giants aren't a monty to beat Syd right now, could go either way.

Same as Crows wouldn't be a monty beating Freo, GC or Hawks. North v WC isn't a given either.

Doing it this way gives us closer games and teams in the bottom or mid 6, could win their way to finals if they're good enough, we also get a likely preview of what finals might look like, and less dead rubbers.

 

[ferball]

One idea would be to lock in sixth position at a minimum, meaning no team can overtake them after 17 rounds and teams can only move up or down in their group.

Well that would end the problem i was talking about but still, whats the point?

Didn't Essendon fall from around 6th to eleventh in the last few rounds?

That insulates teams who shit the bed as finals come around. They'd still be a top six side anmd the only meaning the last five rounds is who fill the last two finals spots.

Its not great now but i dunno if that makes it better and certain aspects could make it worse.

 

[ferball]

How would it compromise?

Every team has played each other after rd 17, you play the teams that are in your 6 (at the end of rd17) because they're most likely in similar to form to you. Where you end up in your 6 is reflective of your performance in the season so far.

The 6th placed team isn't guaranteed to lose all their games just coz they only play teams above them, your Saints example isn't a rule, they're an exception. No reason the dogs can't beat teams above them, run us to two goals.

The 6th placed team could win all their games for all we know

By the same token it doesn't guarantee that the 7th placed team would win all their games coz they're above every other team in their 6. The giants aren't a monty to beat Syd right now, could go either way.

Same as Crows wouldn't be a monty beating Freo, GC or Hawks. North v WC isn't a given either.

Doing it this way gives us closer games and teams in the bottom or mid 6, could win their way to finals if they're good enough, we also get a likely preview of what finals might look like, and less dead rubbers.

With five rounds to go every team would expect to play one or two teams from each group of six across those five rounds.

Now the team in six is guaranteed to play every team above them and every team below them is guaranteed not to.

If the next five rounds still determine finals spots and the ladder order its completelyunfair to expect that side to play the only teams better than it when they have a chance to lose their finals spot.

If they are guaranteeed a finals spot ie the top six is decided after 17 rounds abd the next five only decide the order and the two last spots in the eight then its just more pointless micro managing and interference by the AFL.

 

[Carringbush2010]

With five rounds to go every team would expect to play one or two teams from each group of six across those five rounds.

Well that's not even guaranteed with the fixture we have now.

Now the team in six is guaranteed to play every team above them and every team below them is guaranteed not to.

And just like 12th is guaranteed to play all above them, as are 18th. Just like 1st is guaranteed to play all teams below them on the ladder, as are 7th. (but aren't necessarily better)

If the next five rounds still determine finals spots and the ladder order its completelyunfair to expect that side to play the only teams better than it when they have a chance to lose their finals spot.

A team above you on the ladder is not necessarily better < this is your reasoning against it.

You're immediately dismissing that a 6th place team can beat teams above them, but they can.

If they are guaranteeed a finals spot ie the top six is decided after 17 rounds abd the next five only decide the order and the two last spots in the eight then its just more pointless micro managing and interference by the AFL.

Well that's the talk at the moment, after 17 rds we qualify against the other teams in our 6 after 17 rds. That dismisses the bottom 6, unless they play for draft picks, so basically nothing to play for except pride.

Having the ladder in play gives the chance in the bottom or mid 6 to make it, if they're good enough, and the chances are better coz you're playing teams in similar form, makes less dead rubbers.

 

[ferball]

You seriously don't get it do you...

 

[Peacock]

With the play everyone once then split into 6,6,6.

Rather than it being a top six team can't finish below sixth, instead make the top 6 teams wins count for 6 or 8 points each, the 6 in the middle 4 points each and the final 6 can only get 2 points each.

This means if you finish sixth or fifth you can't just throw in the towel and know you can't finish lower than sixth.

 

[BenCameron23]

2x top 5's was how the 20-team NRL comp worked in 1998. Canterbury made the gf from 9th, a farce was avoided when they were walloped by Brisbane.

Hey Paul,
Ben Cameron here. I was wondering if you might be able to please DM me???
Thanks
Ben

 

[peetoo]

The elim finals are the wildcard

Play 5v8 and 6v7 in the so called bye week, then the winners join the top 4 for the old ‘final 6’

1v2 get better advantage and the first time they play get the true grand final unencumbered by corporates in th crowd
Teams would go harder to get position 1 or 2
There were some cracking games under that system




Final 5 (6 and 7 wildcard) better system but can’t cut qualification to 7

 

[kickazz]

The elim finals are the wildcard

Play 5v8 and 6v7 in the so called bye week, then the winners join the top 4 for the old ‘final 6’

1v2 get better advantage and the first time they play get the true grand final unencumbered by corporates in th crowd
Teams would go harder to get position 1 or 2
There were some cracking games under that system

View attachment 2107527


Final 5 (6 and 7 wildcard) better system but can’t cut qualification to 7

But how does that system make the AFL more money?

Always the first question one should ask.

 

[peetoo]

The elim finals are the wildcard

Play 5v8 and 6v7 in the so called bye week, then the winners join the top 4 for the old ‘final 6’

1v2 get better advantage and the first time they play get the true grand final unencumbered by corporates in th crowd
Teams would go harder to get position 1 or 2
There were some cracking games under that system

View attachment 2107527


Final 5 (6 and 7 wildcard) better system but can’t cut qualification to 7. Could be the ‘old’ final 6 or the current one week 2 onwards.

Or final 9 with 3 wildcard games then a final 6. Ready for expansion to 19 teams. Could be the old final 6 or the current one from current week 2

3+3+2+1+1 is 10 games current is 4+2+2+1 is 9 games. But first 2 weeks is games fri sat sun

 

[hawkinoz]

Or final 9 with 3 wildcard games then a final 6. Ready for expansion to 19 teams. Could be the old final 6 or the current one from current week 2

3+3+2+1+1 is 10 games current is 4+2+2+1 is 9 games. But first 2 weeks is games fri sat sun

I like this.

So basically in the Bye week

4 vs 9
5 vs 8
6 vs 7

Winners of these games will get ranked 4-6 as per their end of season rankings to follow the Week 1 schedule you listed above.

the best team gets a break in Bye week + have a week off prior to GF.

 

[kickthething]

I like this.

So basically in the Bye week

4 vs 9
5 vs 8
6 vs 7

Winners of these games will get ranked 4-6 as per their end of season rankings to follow the Week 1 schedule you listed above.

the best team gets a break in Bye week + have a week off prior to GF.

is the current system broken?

 

[peetoo]

is the current system broken?

Ever since the pre finals bye apparently. So just scrap the bye

I do think 1 v 2 without corporate hangers on early in the finals would have value

 

[Toump Ass]

Play everyone one once.
Then start finals.

Footy season is too long as it is.

 

[hawkinoz]

Play everyone one once.
Then start finals.

Footy season is too long as it is.

Reduces games and that is a NO NO for AFL.

But maybe play all once.. that means 17 round season( or 18 when Tassie comes in)

Then split Top 6, Middle 6 and bottom 6 into their own groups who play each other.

5 more rounds of games btw teams at similar level( reverse the home & away order)

AFL will have the same 23( 18+5) round season as now and have more integrity in the games played. If you add a 19th or 20th team, just add them to bottom or middle groups and they play an additional round which is bye for top group teams.

Then follow the example above of Top 9 playing for finals.

Gives chances for teams in middle 6 to get Top 3 spots in their group and play off against bottom 3 teams in Top 6 group.

Teams will play Home and away against each team over alternate years

 

[PerthBoy86]

Ffs, what's the point of a top 8 then? Don't top 4 have enough advantages? The more they mess with the game the more I feel like quitting following altogether.

 

[HairyO]

Are they that desperate to get Gold Coast to finals.

They know they wont ever get Carlton Collingwood and Essendon in finals without it.

Terrible idea. But you know it will happen.