AFL "integrity rule" re Freo and North resting players

[SilentHunter_]

Why would Ross want to rest players? Surely the club made sure every player did a preseason that made them prepared for the 23 rounds + finals. I understood in 2013 because they had to travel to melbourne but this time they're playing home, so I don't know weird decision. Regardless of my personal thoughts there's nothing wrong with it... and it isn't tanking since it doesn't effect the ladder positions of both freo and port. They have earnt the right to give their player's a break with assuring top spot with a round to go.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

If the AFL didn't allow it then they would be deliberately forcing Freo to play players against their wishes and harming Freo's chances of winning the flag.

In other words they'd be stuffing with the integrity of the competition by hurting Freo.

Personally I think we should move to a final 10, with a wildcard weekend of 7v10, 8v9 and then straight in to 3 weeks of elimination finals. As the top 6 would get a week off they wouldn't have any desire to rest players and almost every other team would be fighting for a top 6 spot or top 10 spot anyway. 10 is too many for finals but the bottom 4 are likely knocked out after the first 2 weeks anyway and the top 6 all have a pretty even shot at a flag.

Yeah, let's reward mediocrity by allowing the 10th placed side an opportunity to play finals.

And then let's give 6th the same opportunity as 1st to win the flag.

 

[Spoken4]

Why would Ross want to rest players? Surely the club made sure every player did a preseason that made them prepared for the 23 rounds + finals. I understood in 2013 because they had to travel to melbourne but this time they're playing home, so I don't know weird decision. Regardless of my personal thoughts there's nothing wrong with it... and it isn't tanking since it doesn't effect the ladder positions of both freo and port. They have earnt the right to give their player's a break with assuring top spot with a round to go.

Maybe because (1) it's an away game meaning they need to travel home to prepare for a QF and (2) it's a dead rubber.

 

[estibador]

If a team drops a position on percentage and loses a home final just because another team has thrown a game and gets belted, there will be hell to pay.

We won't be 'throwing' the game per se.

The likes of Weller, Duffy, Clarke, Taberner, Crozier, Langdon, Grey, Blakely (if fit) will be going hell for leather to either try keep their name at the top of the list for finals selection, or to try stay on the list at all after this year.

 

[SilentHunter_]

Maybe because (1) it's an away game meaning they need to travel home to prepare for a QF and (2) it's a dead rubber.

Fair enough, again I have no problem with it. If he wants to rests his players then he should be allowed.

 

[estibador]

Why would Ross want to rest players?

For much the same reason clubs prefer to win the QF's and get the week's rest over their prelim opponents.

 

[SilentHunter_]

For much the same reason clubs prefer to win the QF's and get the week's rest over their prelim opponents.

Fair enough, again I have no problem with it. If he wants to rests his players then he should be allowed.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Ridiculous that Freo even have to apply to do it.

All because of betting integrity I am guessing

Farcical

Freo should be able to do what they want in absolute best endeavours to win a flag.

 

[D-N-R]

You have two options, both of which will culminate in the same outcome. Either you have transparency as with the approach that Fremantle is taking by putting the issue on the table. Or you have coaches "resting" their players within a game by playing them out of position, reducing their game time, slowing down the tempo, eliminating the 1%, being second to the ball and minimising overall team effort. Which would you rather?

There is a difference between tanking and throwing a game. Freo aren't deliberately trying to lose, but they aren't trying to win either. The result for them is moot. Playing players out of position would be a tactic to deliberately lose a game.

Why would this be different to a team in the lower half of the table resting players en masse. Why risk a player being injured when you can let them have a nice break and get a good pre-season in? This is just good management, isn't it?

If you allow the top eight to affect the result through player omission then why can't teams whose season's are over do the same? You need one rule which applies to all teams regardless of their position on the ladder.

 

[kingswood71]

Whilst the result of this game won't affect the 8, this kind of tactic could easily have an effect on a team's position in the 8 in the future. You can't simply apply this rule when you feel like it. Either it is allowed with all the possible repercussions or it isn't.

Personally, I'm against it purely on the 'what-if' factor. When a team gets bumped from the eight or the top four, or loses home advantage because another team has let themselves get flogged, then people will be asking questions.

"The amended rule, No. 29, 'To Perform on One's Merits', reads: "(It) means at all times to perform honestly and to the best of one's ability in the pursuit only of legitimate competitive objectives.
For the avoidance of doubt "legitimate competitive objective" includes the development of the team or players or management of player fatigue or injuries but does not include improving a club’s draft position, improving a club's position with respect to a potential player exchange or manipulating a club's position on the ladder for the purpose of improving its draw within the finals series."

i think what you are talking about is covered....

 

[master bate]

Yeah, let's reward mediocrity by allowing the 10th placed side an opportunity to play finals.

And then let's give 6th the same opportunity as 1st to win the flag.

Better than the current system where the two teams who win the qualifying finals have a huge advantage in winning the flag. If you don't win the first week your chances of winning the flag are very low. Ross Lyon knows that, which is why he's doing all that he can to freshen up his players.

 

[Spoken4]

Dockers get green light to rest up to 11 players in final round

"The AFL advises it has been kept informed today by the Fremantle Football Club of its potential plans around selection for this weekend's round 23 match against Port Adelaide,"

"Under the AFL Rules, Fremantle is entitled to consider the management of injury and fatigue for its players before the upcoming Toyota AFL Finals series and the AFL position is the club is fully complying with the AFL's rules."

The 11 players most likely to be rested would be Garrick Ibbotson, Danyle Pearce, David Mundy, Luke McPharlin, Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne, Lachie Neale, Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, Stephen Hill and Lee Spurr. Cam Sutcliffe could miss through injury, given he dislocated his shoulder during the last quarter on Sunday's match.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-...light-to-rest-up-to-11-players-in-final-round

 

[kingswood71]

Better than the current system where the two teams who win the qualifying finals have a huge advantage in winning the flag. If you don't win the first week your chances of winning the flag are very low. Ross Lyon knows that, which is why he's doing all that he can to freshen up his players.

So you are essentially saying that the teams who finish 1-4 shouldn't have an advantage over the teams that did worse during the season??....Wow.

 

[D-N-R]

We won't be 'throwing' the game per se.

The likes of Weller, Duffy, Clarke, Taberner, Crozier, Langdon, Grey, Blakely (if fit) will be going hell for leather to either try keep their name at the top of the list for finals selection, or to try stay on the list at all after this year.

You're not 'throwing' it, but you're not worried about the result either. These players might well try their hardest, but they are not in your best 22.

I understand why Freo would do it, but you can't have a rule that is applied depending on the ladder position or the possible outcome of the match.

What if the Brisbane Lions change their entire 22 in preparation for next year. Richmond beat North by 1 point, but the Dogs belt the crap out of the Lions and jump over them on the ladder on percentage? It might be the difference between playing at home or going to Adelaide.

 

[D-N-R]

"The amended rule, No. 29, 'To Perform on One's Merits', reads: "(It) means at all times to perform honestly and to the best of one's ability in the pursuit only of legitimate competitive objectives.
For the avoidance of doubt "legitimate competitive objective" includes the development of the team or players or management of player fatigue or injuries but does not include improving a club’s draft position, improving a club's position with respect to a potential player exchange or manipulating a club's position on the ladder for the purpose of improving its draw within the finals series."

i think what you are talking about is covered....

But your actions might affect another club's position. An easy win for Port this week could affect the position of Geelong and GWS. GWS finishing 9th by belting a hapless Melbourne might be in doubt now because Port are playing Freo's B-side. This certainly has an affect on draft position.

 

[kingswood71]

But your actions might affect another club's position. An easy win for Port this week could affect the position of Geelong and GWS. GWS finishing 9th by belting a hapless Melbourne might be in doubt now because Port are playing Freo's B-side. This certainly has an affect on draft position.

So Port should tank !!....I understand what you are saying....just a lot of what-ifs......

 

[Righteo]

Dockers get green light to rest up to 11 players in final round

"The AFL advises it has been kept informed today by the Fremantle Football Club of its potential plans around selection for this weekend's round 23 match against Port Adelaide,"

"Under the AFL Rules, Fremantle is entitled to consider the management of injury and fatigue for its players before the upcoming Toyota AFL Finals series and the AFL position is the club is fully complying with the AFLs rules."

The 11 players most likely to be rested would be Garrick Ibbotson, Danyle Pearce, David Mundy, Luke McPharlin, Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne, Lachie Neale, Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, Stephen Hill and Lee Spurr. Cam Sutcliffe could miss through injury, given he dislocated his shoulder during the last quarter on Sunday's match.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-...light-to-rest-up-to-11-players-in-final-round

 

[Boppo]

When you have a strong team alot of draft picks get overlooked. This gives Freo a chance to assess their potential at top level. We've canned some high profile picks after a dead rubber showed them up.

 

[StingBitten]

The even-handed responses from the majority of posters on this thread are making me think Bigfooty is becoming sane again. Pat yourselves on the back.

 

[Aussie in exile]

There are times that i think the AFL gets its ideas from Kim Jong Un in North Korea.

 

[Kram]

But your actions might affect another club's position. An easy win for Port this week could affect the position of Geelong and GWS. GWS finishing 9th by belting a hapless Melbourne might be in doubt now because Port are playing Freo's B-side. This certainly has an affect on draft position.

stiff s**t.

 

[Boppo]

Actually why wouldn't Port take the opportunity to look at some if their depth as well. Any team not playing finals should be looking to get some decent Intel out of round 23 and some feet up longevity into their veterans.

 

[D-N-R]

stiff s**t.

About the quality of response I would expect from you.

This type of action will bite a team on the arse one day. Karma says it will be Freo's arse.

 

[Probitas_]

I don't understand why anyone cares.
The game has no effect on them whatsoever and their work throughout the year has seen them deserve that position. If that affects other clubs then bad luck, you should have done better.

 

[a_fighting_fury]

They've created their own bye. Nice one.