A new concept for the AFL fixture

[MarkCatsFan]

I have created a new concept that seeks to solve the current issues with the fixture, without having to go to the 17-5 or conference ideas that are being looked at.

This new fixture will become 23 games, with 6 double ups, instead of the current 22 with 5, I believe this is achievable and realistic, which other concepts with a much higher number of games would never be approved by the AFLPA, I believe 1 extra game could be done.

Double ups will be decided based primarily on last years performance, though this is an imperfect system it will always even out over time, as any team who bolts based on their fixture will be found out in finals, and face a tougher fixture the year after, this allows teams to experience tougher football and develop better over time, and may also provide more exciting match-ups as teams who are at similar levels will be playing eachother more often. Preseason will be shortened by 1 week to make up for the extra match.

Here is my idea for double ups:

Previous year Finish ---> Next year double-ups
1st ---> 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 10th
2nd ---> 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th
3rd ---> 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 12th
4th ---> 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 9th, 13th
5th ---> 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 14th
6th ---> 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 15th
7th ---> 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 16th
8th ---> 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 17th
9th ---> 4th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 18th
10th ---> 1st, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 17th
11th ---> 2nd, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 16th
12th ---> 3rd, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th
13th ---> 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 18th
14th ---> 5th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th
15th ---> 6th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th
16th ---> 7th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th
17th ---> 8th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th
18th ---> 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th

So based on last years ladder, here is who would be playing eachother twice:

Sydney ---> Geelong, Hawthorn, GWS, Adelaide, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide.

Geelong ---> Sydney, Hawthorn, GWS, Adelaide, West Coast, Melbourne

Hawthorn ---> Sydney, Geelong, GWS, West Coast, Footscray, Collingwood

GWS ---> Sydney, Geelong, Hawthorn, Footscray, St. Kilda, Richmond

Adelaide ---> Sydney, Geelong, West Coast, Footscray, North Melbourne, Carlton

West Coast ---> Geelong, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Footscray, North Melbourne, Gold Coast

Footscray ---> Hawthorn, GWS, Adelaide, West Coast, North Melbourne, Fremantle

North Melbourne ---> Sydney, Adelaide, West Coast, St. Kilda, Brisbane

St. Kilda ---> GWS, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Collingwood, Essendon

Port Adelaide ---> Sydney, St. Kilda, Melbourne, Collingwood, Richmond, Brisbane

Melbourne ---> Geelong, St. Kilda, Port Adelaide, Collingwood, Richmond, Fremantle

Collingwood ---> Hawthorn, St. Kilda, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Richmond, Gold Coast

Richmond ---> GWS, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon

Carlton ---> Adelaide, Richmond, Gold Coast, Fremantle, Brisbane, Essendon

Gold Coast ---> West Coast, Collingwood, Carlton, Fremantle, Brisbane, Essendon

Fremantle ---> Footscray, Melbourne, Carlton, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Essendon

Brisbane ---> North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Carlton, Gold Coast, Fremantle, Essendon

Essendon ---> St. Kilda, Richmond, Carlton, Gold Coast, Fremantle, Brisbane




So that is the system, and that is how it looks in action. In my opinion this would help even out a lot of the inequalities that exist right now, no more double-ups based on attendance or rivalries, you play who you finished around, and each team will have its own challenges thrown in there, and only one extra game necessary per season.

 

[M Malice]

 

[rdhopkins2]

I like it but blockbusters, tv rights etc.

 

[CD__]

Here's a revolutionary idea, how about we just leave it as it is?

 

[baldandbroke]

You are forgetting things like the showdowns and derbys.

The fairest fixture has been worked out already by Footy Maths:

http://footymaths.blogspot.com.au/p/we-have-posted-before-on-this-blog.html?m=1


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[MarkCatsFan]

You are forgetting things like the showdowns and derbys.



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Showdowns and Derby;s will still happen once a year. But if it isn't a worthy matchup it shouldn't be guaranteed to happen twice. Earn your fixture through results.

 

[Established1870]

Showdowns and Derby;s will still happen once a year. But if it isn't a worthy matchup it shouldn't be guaranteed to happen twice. Earn your fixture through results.

This is, quite possibly, the most moronic thing I've seen on Big Footy. You actually knock off the guy who talked about semen having magic properties.

Congrats!

 

[Billy ray]

So long as this guy appears in this thread its a winner.

 

[MarkCatsFan]

This is, quite possibly, the most moronic thing I've seen on Big Footy. You actually knock off the guy who talked about semen having magic properties.

Congrats!

How is that stupid? It is fair. I don't care about the moneygrab that these matches create, it is a sport.

 

[baldandbroke]

Showdowns and Derby;s will still happen once a year. But if it isn't a worthy matchup it shouldn't be guaranteed to happen twice. Earn your fixture through results.

But you don't "Earn" anything - it's luck of the draw. Adelaide finish first and Port finish 6th and there is no double up.

 

[underthestars]

You are forgetting things like the showdowns and derbys.

The fairest fixture has been worked out already by Footy Maths:

http://footymaths.blogspot.com.au/p/we-have-posted-before-on-this-blog.html?m=1


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Just because that blog has 'maths, in it's name doesn't give it legitimacy. the fairest 'draw' is obviously a rolling draw - no scheduling based on any criteria other tha each team playing each other team an equal amount of times - the only compromise is that it is over a three season stretch due to the number of teams/number of games. if the afl wants to undermine this with derby double ups it still remains the fairest system available.

 

[baldandbroke]

Just because that blog has 'maths, in it's name doesn't give it legitimacy. the fairest 'draw' is obviously a rolling draw - no scheduling based on any criteria other tha each team playing each other team an equal amount of times - the only compromise is that it is over a three season stretch due to the number of teams/number of games. if the afl wants to undermine this with derby double ups it still remains the fairest system available.

I agree, but did you read the Footy Maths option? It is by far the most fair option for a season like the AFL where each team cannot play home and away against every other tem.

 

[Lsta062]

How is that stupid? It is fair. I don't care about the moneygrab that these matches create, it is a sport.

The interstate sides already travel much more than Victorian sides. Don't think taking away yet another game from them in their home state would be practical in the AFL.

 

[underthestars]

I agree, but did you read the Footy Maths option? It is by far the most fair option for a season like the AFL where each team cannot play home and away against every other tem.

i did. the rolling draw is the fairest.

 

[MarkCatsFan]

The interstate sides already travel much more than Victorian sides. Don't think taking away yet another game from them in their home state would be practical in the AFL.

This can be addressed in the first 17 games, this system doesn't attribute home and away any specific way, those teams can still have their travel fairly limited under this system, all it does is attribute the double-ups in a different way than they are currently, it affects 6 out of 23 games in a season.

 

[baldandbroke]

i did. the rolling draw is the fairest.

How? I'm not sure what you are making that decision based on? Gut feel?

 

[Bollox]

I'm starting to wonder if the AFL is running a free t shirt giveaway for ideas how to alter the fixture. Seems like one a week the last six months.

Just a suggestion, but how about beginning by convincing us there is an actual need for change. What are these "current issues" that need addressing ?

 

[MotleyLemon]

Skip preseason games, expand squad sizes, play 34 game seasons.

TV wins.

 

[baldandbroke]

Skip preseason games, expand squad sizes, play 34 game seasons. TV wins.

That is the best solution for the fans, TV rights holders AND fairness - but no doubt the players will scream blue murder.

 

[MotleyLemon]

That is the best solution for the fans, TV rights holders AND fairness - but no doubt the players will scream blue murder.

Why? Abolish rookie list, have a larger squad, and go for it. If you have to put a limit on how many games players can play, go for it.

At the end of the day, some players are playing 25 games in the season, and 3 preseason games now...

 

[baldandbroke]

Why? Abolish rookie list, have a larger squad, and go for it. If you have to put a limit on how many games players can play, go for it. At the end of the day, some players are playing 25 games in the season, and 3 preseason games now...

I wouldn't scream in angst, I'd scream with joy ... but the players welfare would be called into question. Expanding the lists makes the talent pool shallower too, which could also impact on the quality of the product ... this might be mitigated to some extent by reducing the number of players on field to 16, which I wouldn't put past the AFL.

 

[Cicero]

The AFLPA can go eat a big ol bag of dicks. 30 round season

 

[MotleyLemon]

The AFLPA can go eat a big ol bag of dicks. 30 round season

Might as well go to 34 in that case...

Wonder if doing that, then removing finals and playing it as a straight league format would be worthwhile... Maybe have a cup event somehow as well, bit like soccer...

 

[baldandbroke]

Might as well go to 34 in that case... Wonder if doing that, then removing finals and playing it as a straight league format would be worthwhile... Maybe have a cup event somehow as well, bit like soccer...

Would be against that - it would completely change the season, and historically change the nature of the premiership.

 

[Cicero]

Would be against that - it would completely change the season, and historically change the nature of the premiership.

Without finals pressure Crows might actually do okay?