- Banned
- #1
Let's face it. No one likes the current finals system, as it is inherantly complicated. We have this silly "crossover" method so that the Qualifying final teams can't meet in the Preliminary Finals, and not to mention the short 4 week timeframe. You play all year so it can be decided in 4 weeks?
The better system would be as follows:
The top 3 teams play each other over 2 weeks, playing each other twice. The team on the bottom of that mini ladder plays the winner of the 10th vs 11th three-match series in a knockout match in week four.
4th through to 9th (6 teams) play a mini-tournament of 5 matches against the 5 other opponents over 5 weeks.
10th play 11th in three matches in weeks 1,2,3. The first match and the third match are at 10th's home ground. If one team is winning 2-0 after two matches the third match still gets played. But with a catch. If the team can sweep their opponent 3-0 they get the CHOICE of who they play in the Prelim final if they progress that far.
The top two teams in the 1st-2nd-3rd three team play-off advance to week 6 (so they have a couple of weeks off) as teams 1 and 2
Week 4 is a bye for everyone.
The top-2 teams in the 4th-9th five-week play-off advance to week 6. These are teams 3 and 4
The 3rd team in that "4th-9th" group advance to week 6. They are team 5. The winner of the 10th v 11th triple header advances to week 6 as well as team 6.
So, now we get to week 6. Team 1 plays team 5 and 6 over two weeks, and they advance straight to the Grand Final IF they win both UNLESS they win by less than the combined margin that team 2 beats team 3 and 4 over their two matches. If team 2 beats teams 3 and 4 by more than what team 1 beats team 5 and 6, then team 2 advances straight to the Grand Final. But if team 1 is more than two games clear of team 2 at the end of round 22, then they get to advance straight to the Grand Final even if their two wins against 5th and 6th are less than the 2 wins by team 2 over teams 3 and 4.
The Prelim Final in week 8 is between one of the top 2 teams who won their two matches by the combined lesser margin and the 6th team (who was originally 10th or 11th), notwithstanding the "2 games clear on top rule" but only if they swept their original 3 match series. If they didn't, then the last Prelim spot goes to the best losing team (out of 3,4,5,6) who lost by the lower margin and/or has the best home and away record.
Team 6 (which is either 10th or 11th) has the wildcard option of being able to choose their Prelim finals opponent if they swept their original 3 match series 3-0 also, remember. So, they can override the above rule and play team 3 (if they choose to) if they believe they they are suitably advantaged by doing so. Or they could play team 4. It's their choice as it's their reward.
Then the Grand Final is in week 9
There are so many swings and roundbaouts and so many things happening week to week under this method, that makes it far superior. Sure it takes a bit of getting used to, but it would be a fantastic culmination to the season.
The better system would be as follows:
The top 3 teams play each other over 2 weeks, playing each other twice. The team on the bottom of that mini ladder plays the winner of the 10th vs 11th three-match series in a knockout match in week four.
4th through to 9th (6 teams) play a mini-tournament of 5 matches against the 5 other opponents over 5 weeks.
10th play 11th in three matches in weeks 1,2,3. The first match and the third match are at 10th's home ground. If one team is winning 2-0 after two matches the third match still gets played. But with a catch. If the team can sweep their opponent 3-0 they get the CHOICE of who they play in the Prelim final if they progress that far.
The top two teams in the 1st-2nd-3rd three team play-off advance to week 6 (so they have a couple of weeks off) as teams 1 and 2
Week 4 is a bye for everyone.
The top-2 teams in the 4th-9th five-week play-off advance to week 6. These are teams 3 and 4
The 3rd team in that "4th-9th" group advance to week 6. They are team 5. The winner of the 10th v 11th triple header advances to week 6 as well as team 6.
So, now we get to week 6. Team 1 plays team 5 and 6 over two weeks, and they advance straight to the Grand Final IF they win both UNLESS they win by less than the combined margin that team 2 beats team 3 and 4 over their two matches. If team 2 beats teams 3 and 4 by more than what team 1 beats team 5 and 6, then team 2 advances straight to the Grand Final. But if team 1 is more than two games clear of team 2 at the end of round 22, then they get to advance straight to the Grand Final even if their two wins against 5th and 6th are less than the 2 wins by team 2 over teams 3 and 4.
The Prelim Final in week 8 is between one of the top 2 teams who won their two matches by the combined lesser margin and the 6th team (who was originally 10th or 11th), notwithstanding the "2 games clear on top rule" but only if they swept their original 3 match series. If they didn't, then the last Prelim spot goes to the best losing team (out of 3,4,5,6) who lost by the lower margin and/or has the best home and away record.
Team 6 (which is either 10th or 11th) has the wildcard option of being able to choose their Prelim finals opponent if they swept their original 3 match series 3-0 also, remember. So, they can override the above rule and play team 3 (if they choose to) if they believe they they are suitably advantaged by doing so. Or they could play team 4. It's their choice as it's their reward.
Then the Grand Final is in week 9
There are so many swings and roundbaouts and so many things happening week to week under this method, that makes it far superior. Sure it takes a bit of getting used to, but it would be a fantastic culmination to the season.
