This is a model in part lifted from a thread on the main board
Under this model all teams will play each-other once in the first 17 rounds
In the last 5 rounds teams will play repeat matches based against teams in the same third they finished in the previous season
The key is that matches would be worth different points depending on the third.
Possibly:
This model overcomes some of the "flaws" (perceived or real) in the "17-5" model while getting much of the same benefits
I.e.
Flaws (real or perceived) overcome compared to "17-5" - keeps single ladder; 11 home games still guaranteed; fixture set at start of the season; bottom 6 not eliminated before end of season;
Benefits of 17-5 retained (at least to some extent) - removes "fixturing" problem; greatly increased high stakes games in the last 5 weeks; greatly reduced competitively unbalanced games in the last 5 weeks; ability to fixture big Thursday (as well as Friday) night games in the last 5 weeks
I guess the main criticism of the 17-5 that it would retain (and would probably be more valid) is potentially giving one contending team an easier lead in to the finals cos they finished lower in the previous season
I suspect many would also be affronted by the idea of games with different points on the line...
Under this model all teams will play each-other once in the first 17 rounds
In the last 5 rounds teams will play repeat matches based against teams in the same third they finished in the previous season
The key is that matches would be worth different points depending on the third.
Possibly:
- Top 3rd games for 8 points
- Middle 3rd for 6 points
- Bottom 3rd 4 points
This model overcomes some of the "flaws" (perceived or real) in the "17-5" model while getting much of the same benefits
I.e.
Flaws (real or perceived) overcome compared to "17-5" - keeps single ladder; 11 home games still guaranteed; fixture set at start of the season; bottom 6 not eliminated before end of season;
Benefits of 17-5 retained (at least to some extent) - removes "fixturing" problem; greatly increased high stakes games in the last 5 weeks; greatly reduced competitively unbalanced games in the last 5 weeks; ability to fixture big Thursday (as well as Friday) night games in the last 5 weeks
I guess the main criticism of the 17-5 that it would retain (and would probably be more valid) is potentially giving one contending team an easier lead in to the finals cos they finished lower in the previous season
I suspect many would also be affronted by the idea of games with different points on the line...