Fixture A better way to do double-ups

[Coolangatta]

Here's a way you could do it. Split the 18 teams into groups of three, those teams play each other twice. Keep the interstate teams separate. Like this:

Group 1: Pies, Lions, Giants, Blues, Dees, Port (you've got the six best teams of this year playing each other twice next year)

Group 2: Saints, Swans, Dogs, Crows, Bombers, Dockers (swapped Dockers and Cats to keep Dockers and Eagles separate)

Group 3: Cats, Tigers, Suns, Hawks, North, Eagles (almost the entire bottom six minus Freo)

I kept the interstate teams apart on purpose because with Gather Round we now have six double ups.

So that extra double up allows for guaranteed rival matches:

Eagles v Dockers; Crows v Port; Swans v Giants; Lions v Suns;

For Vic's, then just figure out doubles from different groups:

Pies v Cats; Blues v Tigers; Dees v Saints; Bombers v North; Dogs v Hawks


Edit:

Alternative model: extra double up semi-randomised or based on biggest other rival, interstate teams kept in the same pool:

A: Pies, Lions, GWS, Blues, Port, Dees
B: Saints, Swans, Dogs, Crows, Bombers, Cats
C: Tigers, Dockers, Suns, Hawks, North, Eagles

Extra double up random except for interstate games from teams of different groups i.e. Lions v Suns, Port v Crows, Swans v Giants

Could just be combination of $$$, rivals, whatever's left over:

Lions v Suns; Port v Crows; Swans v Giants; Pies v Bombers; Blues v Tigers; Dees v Hawks; Saints v Dockers; Dogs v North; Cats v Eagles

Third way to do it is with the exception of interstate rivalries, figuring out the final double up between teams from different groups could be a privilege of the highest ranked teams.

So Pies finishing first could say they want the Eagles or North twice next year, which is fine because the Eagles and Dockers being in the same group means they're already playing twice.

Option D:

Sixth double-up: Port v Crows, Giants v Swans, Lions v Suns

Remainders:

Pies, Blues, Dees,
Saints, Dogs, Bombers, Cats
Tigers, Dockers, Suns, Hawks, North, Eagles

^ From there you just ensure no one plays a team from the same group again as that'd be 3x they're playing each other.

 

[Danw0w]

Why is this a better way?

 

[Coolangatta]

Why is this a better way?

At the very least, it ensures the six best teams of last year play each other twice. The only real flaw is that if two interstate teams from the same state cannot be in the same group because those double ups are reserved for the extra irrespective of ranking, but it could be done differently. It means some interstate teams get a harder/easier draw than others, though.

 

[yamborghinidream]

There is no reason to overcomplicate it. This is an issue where the AFL should actually look to the NFL for inspiration; their fixturing is really good in terms of transparency

You should be able to work out the fixture the day a H&A season ends. Have it 'formula' based and complaints about unfairness go out the window. Keep a fixed rivalry game in there.

Of course this won't happen because the AFL only care about maximising $ and artificially propping up certain teams.

 

[ibd77]

You could bring back the "Night Time Premiership" with a double up competition, finals and GF during the season.

 

[esoteric]

Why not play all the double-up matches for TWO premiership points, and halve the scores for percentage purposes.