Fixture Season Length? Game Length? Byes? Injuries? A new thought?

[DocT]

“Is the game too long?”: AFL injury crisis has Collingwood coach pondering length of the game

More than 150 players were unavailable in Round 10.

www.sen.com.au

Prompted by McRae's thought bubble about shortening games to prevent injuries I pinged some thoughts.

We all love footy so no-one seems to like the byes. So let's drop them.

We all love footy. So let's not shorten games.

We all love footy. So how about more games?

But won't this take a greater toll on players? Yes. So what could be a solution?

Idea: What if every player could play a maximum of 20 HnA games per year?

Pluses:
More games could be played with less strain on individual players and hopefully less injuries.
It's another tactical point of interest.
More depth players get a chance to have a crack.
Potentially players could have longer careers.
No more byes!
AFL get more $$$, players get more $$$.

Negatives:
Slight decrease in overall quality.
Got a whiff of Socialist Control about it.

Has this idea come up before?

 

[Deathly]

Instead of the AFL doing all this dumb shit to game-day, just reduce the fixture. 23 games in a regular season is way too much. But you know they only care about $.

 

[Pivot Piece]

The games in 2020 were no less of a product? Bullshit. They felt like lightning games, there was no ebbs and flows during quarters, once a side got out to a 4 or 5 goal lead it was game over. There was also a lot less fatigue so scoring was down big time. It's the reduced quarters that made 2020 such a mickey mouse year, not the lack of crowds

 

[The Feeder Club]

Instead of the AFL doing all this dumb s**t to game-day, just reduce the fixture. 23 games in a regular season is way too much. But you know they only care about $.

Yes and yes again..
I think if they cut the number of Victorian teams and had larger squads for the remaining teams it would have so many benefits to the competition.
There appear to be only two arguments against it when I argue for this on the MB- that even though it's called the AFL it actually is still the VFL (you can't get rid of our clubs, we wiz ere first), and $$. There are no arguments against it on the basis of it leading to a better and fairer sporting competition, because everyone knows it will

 

[Spirit Level]

Reducing quarter length is such a dumb idea, 2020 games sucked.

Yes to reducing the fixture though, everyone to play each other once, then maybe an extra 2 rounds (one gather round and one rivalry round)

 

[Footskill]

Yeh the shortened games is a no from me. When they did that during the COVID period was not good viewing. Games seem to go way too fast.

 

[Gussman]

I would be curious to see statistics on when players are most likely to get injured. Is it at the start of the game where everyone is going 100% or near the end when everyone is more worn out?

My intuition is that players seem to get injured more often in the first half, but that might just be because it is more notable when that happens.

 

[Alfonz]

The NFL only has a 17 game season and then playoffs. We should be doing the same. It would make the fixturing so simple as well. Play every team once and flip the home/away sides every 2 years.

The AFL could copy the US wildcat round idea (which I'm sure the head honchos would love to do) for 7th-10th. I would normally say this is a stupid concept, but last year after Round 17 GWS and Carlton were 9th and 10th, so you could argue it might be more justified for a shorter season. Throw in a best of 3 grand final series (including one day and one night) if they want to squeeze out some more games.

But ultimately they won't relinquish the dollars from more teams, games, rounds. A few extra finals/GFs won't make up the difference.

 

[freodog]

I think it's about a round or 2 too long now.

Probably by round 18 we know who the best sides are and he teams down the bottom of the ladder justvwant the season to be over.

Keep the game length the same. The ideas of shortening the game and playing more is flawed. We saw what happened when the BBL flooded the market with nothing games. You want every game to matter.

I'd be keen on a shorter season but more meaningful games e.g. finals especially if we get 20 teams.

 

[Gimme the Fyfe]

'No' to shortening the games, although as with the Covid days - bring in the fake crowd sound bytes but make it canned laughter.

 

[DocT]

Instead of the AFL doing all this dumb s**t to game-day, just reduce the fixture. 23 games in a regular season is way too much. But you know they only care about $.

I love watching footy. Why do you want less games? You don't have to watch.

 

[DocT]

Reducing quarter length is such a dumb idea, 2020 games sucked.

Yes to reducing the fixture though, everyone to play each other once, then maybe an extra 2 rounds (one gather round and one rivalry round)

I want more games. Don't you find the off season is way too long?

 

[DocT]

I would be curious to see statistics on when players are most likely to get injured. Is it at the start of the game where everyone is going 100% or near the end when everyone is more worn out?

My intuition is that players seem to get injured more often in the first half, but that might just be because it is more notable when that happens.

It might be the week-on-week cumulative toll on bodies rather than stage of the game. I guess both questions could be answered by a deeper look at the injury patterns.

 

[DocT]

I think it's about a round or 2 too long now.

Probably by round 18 we know who the best sides are and he teams down the bottom of the ladder justvwant the season to be over.

Keep the game length the same. The ideas of shortening the game and playing more is flawed. We saw what happened when the BBL flooded the market with nothing games. You want every game to matter.

I'd be keen on a shorter season but more meaningful games e.g. finals especially if we get 20 teams.

English soccer season is 38 games and it keeps everyone interested enough. I want more footy, not less.
I don't think the BBL is a good comparison to the AFL. The BBL is a confected competition that is a single strand of cricket. I think AFL fans are much more loyal/engaged than BBL.
I agree that you need games to matter and playing more games of no significance is not desirable. I'm sure a way can be found to make it competitive.

 

[Spirit Level]

I want more games. Don't you find the off season is way too long?

Nah I have NFL, cricket and football to watch,

If anything I think the season goes for too long

 

[Alfonz]

English soccer season is 38 games and it keeps everyone interested enough. I want more footy, not less.
I don't think the BBL is a good comparison to the AFL. The BBL is a confected competition that is a single strand of cricket. I think AFL fans are much more loyal/engaged than BBL.
I agree that you need games to matter and playing more games of no significance is not desirable. I'm sure a way can be found to make it competitive.

EPL? There's only ever a couple of teams who have any chance of winning. Doesn't seem that interesting to me. I will give them credit though that they play everyone home and away. Fair fixture.

Also, the reasoning for shortening the season is mostly about injuries. Leagues like EPL, MLB, NBA, IPL/BBL take very little toll on the body in comparison to the AFL (apart from pitching arms in baseball). Players can easily play multiple games in a week. Almost every day in the case of baseball. NHL ... it can be bruising but most players only log 10-20 minutes per game.

Aussie rules is a unique sport physically. Players would cover more distance than any other team sport in the world, with high levels of physical contact at the same time. Easily the team/ball sport that is the most demanding on the body.

 

[Deathly]

I love watching footy. Why do you want less games? You don't have to watch.

This is the problem, fans are selfish and the VFL uses that to drain more $ from them. The fact that a fixture isn't set in stone before Round 1, and they use results to help improve and manipulate viewership and attendance is an example of how corrupt and money hungry this bullshit game has become.

I want fixtures reduced because it is a step toward making the competition more even, keeping the quality of the game in-tact and prolonging the careers of athletes. Someone mentioned the NFL before - from my understanding NFL teams don't even play every team in a given season, and in that they have 2 double ups. They think about the physicality of the game and the players first, and that's why they produce good quality games every season and have players playing upto and into their 40s. Meanwhile over here, we play everyone, double up again against more than 1/3 of the competition for some stupid reason and don't forget, if you're 30, you're a fossil and have every supporter questioning your age!

The AFL fixture is too much for the kind of game that is being played. Every other sport shows that at the tail end of the season the best will always play the best - so what's the problem going from 23 to 17-19 games? Do you really think it's fair on the athletes that this kind of game goes for as long as it does with 5 day turnarounds? You'd think we play 10 minute quarters given the fixturing at hand.

Thursday Night Footy should be cancelled. Every club should host a Friday Night.

While they're at it, when clubs like Melbourne go to NT or Hawthorn and NM go to TAS, send the other ****ing Victorian clubs there with them not the interstate ones.

I know this is probably baffling for sports fans who only follow the VFL, but what do you care about more, the corporation or the state of the game and its players?

 

[DocT]

EPL? There's only ever a couple of teams who have any chance of winning. Doesn't seem that interesting to me. I will give them credit though that they play everyone home and away. Fair fixture.

Also, the reasoning for shortening the season is mostly about injuries. Leagues like EPL, MLB, NBA, IPL/BBL take very little toll on the body in comparison to the AFL (apart from pitching arms in baseball). Players can easily play multiple games in a week. Almost every day in the case of baseball. NHL ... it can be bruising but most players only log 10-20 minutes per game.

Aussie rules is a unique sport physically. Players would cover more distance than any other team sport in the world, with high levels of physical contact at the same time. Easily the team/ball sport that is the most demanding on the body.

Your main point is about injuries and the unique demands of Aussie Rules. I agree with you. But my suggestion is to rest players by introducing a rule that enforces a maximum number of games per player per HnA season, eg 20. As in my original post I think this rule would open up other interesting opportunities tactically as well.

I also agree that soccer/EPL is a dull watch, although I love my Eagles. That being said, there are billions of fans who absolutley love it thru 38 matches plus FA cup and all the other leagues as well. Could the AFL find a way to protect players and offer fans more footy? I think they could and the EPL demonstrates that there is a potential appetite for it in the Fantastic Fantragic.

 

[DocT]

This is the problem, fans are selfish and the VFL uses that to drain more $ from them. The fact that a fixture isn't set in stone before Round 1, and they use results to help improve and manipulate viewership and attendance is an example of how corrupt and money hungry this bullshit game has become.

I want fixtures reduced because it is a step toward making the competition more even, keeping the quality of the game in-tact and prolonging the careers of athletes. Someone mentioned the NFL before - from my understanding NFL teams don't even play every team in a given season, and in that they have 2 double ups. They think about the physicality of the game and the players first, and that's why they produce good quality games every season and have players playing upto and into their 40s. Meanwhile over here, we play everyone, double up again against more than 1/3 of the competition for some stupid reason and don't forget, if you're 30, you're a fossil and have every supporter questioning your age!

The AFL fixture is too much for the kind of game that is being played. Every other sport shows that at the tail end of the season the best will always play the best - so what's the problem going from 23 to 17-19 games? Do you really think it's fair on the athletes that this kind of game goes for as long as it does with 5 day turnarounds? You'd think we play 10 minute quarters given the fixturing at hand.

Thursday Night Footy should be cancelled. Every club should host a Friday Night.

While they're at it, when clubs like Melbourne go to NT or Hawthorn and NM go to TAS, send the other ******* Victorian clubs there with them not the interstate ones.

I know this is probably baffling for sports fans who only follow the VFL, but what do you care about more, the corporation or the state of the game and its players?

Crumbs, at the end of the day sport watching probably is best classified as 'entertainment'. So calling people 'selfish' because they would like to watch footy might be a bit OTT. I agree we need to protect players but they are all big boys and girls and can make their own choices. And my original post suggested capping the number of games players could play for their own protection.

I completely agree with you about even fixturing but this is probably a forlorn dream. I for one wouldn't lose 6 games to go to a 17 round season to ensure maximal equality. I don't think players would either, I think they like to play. If you told them that footy is not about the money and that we were going to shorten the season by 25% and therefore they would get paid 25% less I predict the outcome of the anonymous AFLPA vote on the matter would be 0% for, 100% against.

While we all have quibbles about the game and the AFL, most fans love footy, the players love to play it and $$$ are part of the reality. I for one am happy with anything that expands the situation on all of those fronts.

 

[errant bounce]

Reckon 22-23 games is just about right but it's shame we've lost the pre season comp, mostly at the expense of country areas who haven't just lost the buzz of kids being able to see guys they've deified on TV (especially in poorer areas) but also the benefits it gave those areas: the AFL would always tip in a few hundred grand for some new goalposts, changing rooms. it's a bit of a shame. these days it only suits bong smoking uni students (not that they do that anymore... vaping uni students who live at home?) with the 11am weekday scratch matches.

Players are fitter than ever with more aerobic machines/footballing duds than ever.

Think the standard is down to umpires letting everything go for the game to roll on + players just not being as tough or entertaining as they used to be (I'm not advocating for everyone to be getting their skull bashed in weekly, either).

Shorter games limit the real dogged finishes you get where it's a slog out and about fitness and mentality. adds a good element. I don't remember many close games during the covid years.

With the inevitable reserves comp I reckon they should readjust the list: 40 man main list and then a 15 man supplementary list where the guys are part-time but are on 5-70k. I reckon the idea of being 20 and realising how shit full time work is and how great full time kicking a ball is would see those lower level guys kick on a bit. if you can get out of your welding apprenticeship or dead end factory job or realise unis a furph... you'll probbaly train your backside off to hope to jag a main list spot.

 

[DragoDelph]

Going the wrong way.

More games. Everyone played twice.

Games played Thurs-Mon. (less about rounds, more about matches, they did this in AFLW perfectly fine)

Increase list sizes, increase the bench and rotations so players are fresher and can rest in game for the following match.
5x Bench, 2x Subs.

A few more "gather round" style hubs where you can 2-3 games in at one place over 15-18 days to reduce travel.

 

[DocT]

Going the wrong way.

More games. Everyone played twice.

Games played Thurs-Mon. (less about rounds, more about matches, they did this in AFLW perfectly fine)

Increase list sizes, increase the bench and rotations so players are fresher and can rest in game for the following match.
5x Bench, 2x Subs.

A few more "gather round" style hubs where you can 2-3 games in at one place over 15-18 days to reduce travel.

Dem's fightin' words DD - bring it on.

 

[MadDocker]

1 home game, 1 away game vs each team. Sort out whatever dates and schedules you need to make it work.

 

[Joao]

I'm onboard for a play everyone home and away once.

Definitely need bigger lists and a larger bench though.

 

[ignoramus]

Going the wrong way.

More games. Everyone played twice.

Games played Thurs-Mon. (less about rounds, more about matches, they did this in AFLW perfectly fine)

Increase list sizes, increase the bench and rotations so players are fresher and can rest in game for the following match.
5x Bench, 2x Subs.

A few more "gather round" style hubs where you can 2-3 games in at one place over 15-18 days to reduce travel.

Personally, I won't be satisfied until there's footy 50 weeks a year