Why four points for a win

[Aut Vincere Aut Mori]

Why is a win in football allocated four points? Why not two points for a win and one point for a draw? I know the SANFL only allocated a 2/1/0 Win/draw/loss points allocation. But most competitions allocate 4/2/1 points.
1) When did this become the accepted practise?
2) Why the 4/2/0 points when it could have been 2/1/0?
3) was there some thought about penalty points or bonus points to account for the choice of scale?



On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Michael Riley]

It is a good question

 

[Michael Riley]

Here is a starting point

VFA Secretary Marshall's original draft (April 1887) was 3 points for a win and 1 for a Draw
ATHLETIC SPORTS. (1887, April 23). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 22. Retrieved October 2, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142179082

Discussion in May was that the 3-1 system "After considerable discussion it was proved that under certain circumstances a club that had been defeated once would rank higher than a club that had not,suffered defeat, although playing the same number of matches each, and, again, the unfairness of putting all senior clubs on the same footing was not overcome."
and a 4-2 system gave a better outcome
FOOTBALL CHATTER. (1887, May 21). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 21. Retrieved October 2, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142180056

This was changed to 4 and 2 by the presentation to the VFA in June 1887
Doing Good Work. (1887, June 1). Sportsman (Melbourne, Vic. : 1882 - 1904), p. 1. Retrieved October 2, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227676078

This was implemented at the end of 1887 for the start of the 1888 Season
OPENING OF THE FOOTBALL SEASON. (1888, May 5). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 14. Retrieved October 2, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6122711

 

[Todman]

Early years in Tasmania it depended on the number of minor rounds

example four teams play each other four times i.e. four minor rounds

Minor round 1 and 2 = 2 points for a win
Minor round 3 = 3 points for a win.
Minor round four = 4 points for a win

It was staggered this way to keep the chance of fast finishing teams a chance for the finals.

 

[Todman]

The Hampden league, Tallangatta League, and the Hume adopted the Lane system in the early 1970s.

Win = 6 points
Draw = 4 points
Lose by less than 1 goal = 3 points
Lose by less than 2 goals = 2 points.
Lose by less than 4 goals = 1 points.

Hampden used it for 1974 and 1975.

 

[Todman]

Colac and District FL under 14's point system was like this: This system was used all through the 1970's. I don't know what happened in the 1980's as
my Club , South Purrumbete changed leagues.

Lead at quarter time = 1 point
Lead at Half time = 1 point
Lead at 3/4 time = 1 point
Win the game = 4 points.
Draw game = 2 points.

So if you kicked with the wind in the first and lead all day you got the max of 7 points.
If you kicked with the wind in the first and lead all day by got overrun in the last and lost you got 3 points and the winners 4 points.
If you trailed all day only to draw at the end you got 2 points and the opposition got 5 points.

 

[Quolls19]

The premiership points system in Victoria was introduced several years before the VFA‘s innovative idea, (South Australia introduced a 2 win 1 draw in 1886) but was either ignored or forgotten.

The rather progressive Junior Cup, also made provision for a grand final, an equal fixture and standard uniforms, all well before the bigger leagues/association.
(Pies fans don’t get excited, the club mentioned has no association with the current club which was Britannia before it changed its name to gain entry to the VFA as a senior Club.)

Junior Challenge Cup


(2 points for a win, first reference)


Leader 18/5/72


https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204981266?searchTerm=Junior Challenge cup Win draw points





Football


Junior Football Club Challenge Cup





The following are the rules of the Junior Football Club


Challenge Cup for the season 1872, which is to be contested by the Richmond, Collingwood, East Melbourne, and Southern clubs :-


1. The cup is to be called The Junior Football Club Challenge Cup.


2. The value of the cup is to be £5 6s - each club subscribing a proportionate share.

1. The matches, to be played for the cup shall be arranged at a meeting of the secretaries of the Junior Football Clubs, on a date to be previously mentioned.

4. The club winning such a match shall score - two (2) points ; and, if it be a draw or a tie, both clubs shall score one (1) point. A walk-over to count a win.


5. The cup shall become the property of the club scoring the greatest number of points at the end of the season; in the event of a tie in points, the secretaries of the clubs so tying shall arrange a conquering match, to take place on a Saturday to be previously determined.

1. No player shall be allowed to play with more than one club for the cup.
2. No person playing in senior matches shall be allowed to contest for the junior cup.

8. Every member of a club playing for the cup shall wear the uniform of his club, each uniform to be distinguished by a cap.

1. When the names of the players for any cup matches are advertised, the names of the goal umpires shall be advertised also.

10. If the captains of both sides agree, any match can be postponed on account of very bad weather.

1. In the case of any dispute for the cup, the dIspute shall be referred to the sporting editor of the Australasian, his decision to be final

Subjoined is the list of matches arranged for the cup:-


May 18


Southern v. East Melbourne, at Fawkner Park.


Richmond v. Collingwood, at North Fitzroy.


June 1


Southern v. Collingwood, at North Fitzroy.


Richmond v. East Melbourne, at East Melbourne.


June 15


Southern v. Richmond, at Richmond.


Collingwood v. East Melbourne, at North Fitzroy.


June 29


Southern v. East Melbourne, at East Melbourne.


Richmond v. Collingwood, at Richmond.


July 13


Southern v. Collingwood, at Fawkner.


Richmond v. East Melbourne, at Richmond.


July 27


Southern v. Richmond, at Fawkner.


East Melbourne v. Collingwood, at East Melbourne.


Arch Campbell, Hon., Secretary, junior football club challenge cup committee.