AFL exploring new mid-season tournament for cash prize

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

One of the biggest loads of crap they have ever conjured up in their board room.

So many current issues with the game that fans are endlessly frustrated at and this just comes across as hey let’s ignore all that and come look at this shiny new toy over here.

Would be a disaster and just kill the footy season.

 

[Walshawk]

It would be incorporated into the home and away season where the cup games count also as part of the H&A season (which is how they doing in the NBA cup)

The idea for the AFL would be perhaps to have 3 groups of 6. So you play 2 group games. The top team in each group and the two best teams to not win a group comprise the 8 quarter finalists.

The quarter finals and semi finals are all also counted as H&A games with the final being held on a stand alone weekend as an extra match and the ONLY match not to be counted as part of the H&A season.

There is nowhere near enough success in the AFL industry and that’s becoming a big problem. Fans need to be rewarded more. One trophy for 19 teams with no secondary trophy is not good enough. That might have been okay with 12 teams, but with 18 (soon to be 19) there needs to be more secondary trophies to win like in Soccer with the League Cup and FA Cup

No one will ever, ever care about any secondary trophy.

 

[Ambrosia]

I think if the AFL wants to generate more cash a second tier big bash style spring post season comp would be best.

16 a side, super goals, mic'd up players plus any other fun rules.

Teams made up of the best state league players, delisted or retired players and the best up and coming draftees.

 

[SSSSSS]

If we get this dumb tournament over an actual legitimately good idea like multiball the games gone.

Just give us multiball.

 

[L_W_P]

The Cup games ARE regular premiership games for 4 points, so no one is tanking anything. I've released a full format for how it can work.

If the Cup games are still worth 4 points then what's the point? The good teams will keep winning until it no longer suits them.

Do Collingwood/Geelong/Brisbane want to win their last Cup qualifying game and have to play an extra match before/during finals? Why take that chance?

It doesn't solve the fixture issues to have the Cup as part of the Premiership fixture. All you're doing is adding an extra game to someone's season.

Then if you separate it you still have a fixture imbalance.

If Brisbane have to play West Coast away during the H&A season and then away again as part of the Cup bracket that's a travel disadvantage another top team may not face.

If the AFL want to run a secondary championship/title then why not bring back the Reserves competition?

Make every game a double header - Reserves grade followed by the Premiership.

Now people can get to know the talent they have coming through. Maybe even tie the NGA/Academies into it with the sub role being filled by an u/18 player who could be drafted at the end of the season?

Now you're not impacting the Premiership, you can promote another 180+ games during the season for Kayo and sponsors, you can hype up the next 'stars' of the league, find the next 'face' of the game etc...

It would be an incentive for teams like the Eagles, Tigers, Saints & Roos to try and balance as well. Something more for the club to play for during the season if the Premiership was well out of reach.

Teams winning the double would be rewarded and celebrated as well.

Way better than trying to juggle Cup games as part of the Premiership season.

 

[Dan26]

No one will ever, ever care about any secondary trophy.

The old pre season cup had huge crowds turn out to the grand final. Ask st kilda fans who were part of the 66,000 strong crowd at Waverley in 1996 when they beat Carlton if it meant something. I saw 4 pre season cups including one in front of 75,000 in 1993 and they all meant something.

The problem with your statement is that you are looking at things as they are NOW. If you have a secondary trophy and it is given due recognition, money and status (like the FA Cup) then of course people want to win it. If you DON’T give it recognition money and status then people don’t care. Your club won a number on pre-season cups in front of far bigger crowds than what would have happened if you met those clubs in a H&A game. You beat Fitzroy in the Fosters cup in 1992 in front of 49,000 people - a crowd you never managed against them in any H&A game. Same when you beat Port in front of 49,000 in 1999. You’re never had that crowd against Port in a H&A game, so yes there was “something” there that made Hawk fans turn out and care a lot more about a pre-season Grand Final than a home and away game. The crowds prove it. There is no better measure of whether the fans care than if the crowds turn up

It is imperative that the AFL create more success in this industry. I’d prefer more recognition to the minor premier, but something must be done. One trophy for 19 teams is not enough reward for fans.

 

[Gough]

The old pre season cup had huge crowds turn out to the grand final. Ask st kilda fans who were part of the 66,000 strong crowd at Waverley in 1996 when they beat Carlton if it meant something. I saw 4 pre season cups including one in front of 75,000 in 1993 and they all meant something.

The problem with your statement is that you are looking at things as they are NOW. If you have a secondary trophy and it is give due recognition, money and status (like the FA Cup) then of course people then want to win it. If you DON’T give it recognition money and status then people don’t care. Your club won a number on preseason cups including front of far bigger crowds than what would have happened if you met those clubs in a H&A game. You beat Fitzroy in the Fosters cup in 1992 in front of 49,000 people - a crowd you never managed against them in any H&A game. Same when you beat Port in from if 49,000 in 1999. You’re never had that crowd against Port in a H&A game, so yes there was “something” there that made Hawk fans turn out and care a lot more about a pre-season Grand Final than a home and away game. The crowds prove it. There is no better measure of whether the fans care than if the crowds turn up

It is imperative that the AFL create more success in this industry. I’d prefer more recognition to the minor premier, but something must be done. One trophy for 19 teams is not enough reward for fans.

Maybe the AFL should give every team a trophy and we can all go home happy.

 

[Dan26]

Maybe the AFL should give every team a trophy and we can all go home happy.

There is no need to be a prick. English Soccer has three domestic trophies to win and when European comps are included any team can win up to 4. That gives the opportunity for teams to win different comps.

The AFL has one trophy, a crap-load of dead rubbers, and a whole lot of fans who will never see their team win anything ever. There needs to be something else to win. I’d give more recognition to the minor-premier personally, giving a massive cash prize to every player, but I’m open to a cup competition. The old pre-season cup
had huge crowds turn out for the Grand Final at Waverley.

 

[Not a mere cat]

The old pre season cup had huge crowds turn out to the grand final. Ask st kilda fans who were part of the 66,000 strong crowd at Waverley in 1996 when they beat Carlton if it meant something. I saw 4 pre season cups including one in front of 75,000 in 1993 and they all meant something.

The problem with your statement is that you are looking at things as they are NOW. If you have a secondary trophy and it is given due recognition, money and status (like the FA Cup) then of course people want to win it. If you DON’T give it recognition money and status then people don’t care. Your club won a number on pre-season cups in front of far bigger crowds than what would have happened if you met those clubs in a H&A game. You beat Fitzroy in the Fosters cup in 1992 in front of 49,000 people - a crowd you never managed against them in any H&A game. Same when you beat Port in front of 49,000 in 1999. You’re never had that crowd against Port in a H&A game, so yes there was “something” there that made Hawk fans turn out and care a lot more about a pre-season Grand Final than a home and away game. The crowds prove it. There is no better measure of whether the fans care than if the crowds turn up

It is imperative that the AFL create more success in this industry. I’d prefer more recognition to the minor premier, but something must be done. One trophy for 19 teams is not enough reward for fans.

You’re going back over 30 years ago when it was successful. It died off back then due to lack of support from teams and supporters. The same reason SOO died, the H&A season/premiership is the pinnacle, teams and their supporters didn’t like losing players to some meaningless competition.

So instead of these stupid brain farts how about improving this competition. What’s this nonsense about needing more rewards for fans, have never seen fans complaining about that. Fixturing, academies, access to marque games I’ve seen but not ‘My team can’t win a flag so I want another competition’

You sound like you work for the AFL?

 

[Rod Stroker]

Why do people act like big organizations with multiple different departments cant work on multiple things at the same time?

they've demonstrated that under their watch, their core business has pressing issues that they've not been able to fix. yet their answer is to go off and explore other initiatives. Poor leadership.

Obligation before opportunity.

 

[sthmelb_dimmies]

AFL executives have become bored and have a new plan to **** up the game. It's a pointless mid season tournament for a cash prize and potential finals spot!

This is coming from unreliable rumor monger Sam McClure at The Age, though it's been "confirmed by the AFL" that they are exploring it

AFL considers new mid-season competition in radical fixture shake-up

The AFL is seriously considering introducing a secondary tournament that would run during the premiership season, award millions of dollars in prizemoney and could even offer the winning team a spot in the finals.

www.theage.com.au

Supportive. But only if it’s called the FA Cup

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Here's an idea to keep supporters excited.

We'll play the first 22 games as per normal, and then once we reach the final round, the season restarts with everyone on 0 points. The winners (except 1 team on %) of the final round matches then qualify for the finals.

Keeps everyone "engaged and interested" no matter what.

 

[Dan26]

You’re going back over 30 years ago when it was successful. It died off back then due to lack of support from teams and supporters. The same reason SOO died, the H&A season/premiership is the pinnacle, teams and their supporters didn’t like losing players to some meaningless competition.

So instead of these stupid brain farts how about improving this competition. What’s this nonsense about needing more rewards for fans, have never seen fans complaining about that. Fixturing, academies, access to marque games I’ve seen but not ‘My team can’t win a flag so I want another competition’

You sound like you work for the AFL?

No, it died off because teams were added to the AFL which made the pre-season cup unworkable, and they piss-farted around with the rules adding stupid gimmicks. When it was a 16 team competition, it was total knockout which was ideal with that number of teams. The AFL gradually changed it turning it into a mini round robin thing, adding stupid gimmicky rules like 9 point goals and three-way matches over 6 quarters. What do you think was then going to happen?

Have a look at these crowds at Waverley for the Grand Finals for those wrongly suggesting fans don't care about a secondary comp. This was when the rules were the same as the regular season (no gimmicks) and it was a proper structured knckout comp

1991 Haw vs NM 46,629
1992 Haw vs Fitz 49,453 (bigger than any H&A game between the teams)
1993 Ess vs Rich 75,533
1994 Ess vs Adel 43,925
1995 NM vs Adel 39,393 (bigger than H&A game in Victoria between the teams)
1996 St.K vs Carl 66,888 (bigger than any H&A game between the teams)
1997 Carl vs Gee 74,786 (MCG)
1998 NM vs St.K 63,898 (bigger than any H&A game between the teams)
1999 Haw vs Port 49 874 (bigger than any H&A game between the teams)

What's the measure of fans caring? Crowds right. Well, just have a look at that.

 

[Coconut_twirl]

I actually thought this may have been possibly have been a troll post. But it’s actually real! I highly doubt this would ever get off the ground. AFL commission are already deeply unpopular in recent years and will be looking to win back fans.

 

[Gavin Excell]

They've shown with the Opening Round fiasco they don't listen to fans so I expect this debacle to go ahead next season

 

[voorhees]

another day,another dumb idea.
Afl administration is just clueless...Dillon needs to go.

 

[oak79]

I think if the AFL wants to generate more cash a second tier big bash style spring post season comp would be best.

16 a side, super goals, mic'd up players plus any other fun rules.

Teams made up of the best state league players, delisted or retired players and the best up and coming draftees.

AFLX ... yeh, nah

 

[Ambrosia]

AFLX ... yeh, nah

Yeah it'd be shit but given how much the country loves betting and the only TV people are watching is live sport I reckon it could make money without expecting AFL players to play more games.

 

[oak79]

I see no dramas with the mid season comp - all games count towards premiership anyway, and chance for another festival kind of thing.

I'm also onboard with shorter quarters - if it means we get a full fixture (or closer to it).

But then again, I'd also rather there was less teams than more (sorry Victorians!) - means a full HA fixture, and more chance of success. With 20 teams, good luck getting a flag in that - droughts like Sydney's (previous) and Saints (current) will become the norm for more teams - and quality of football suffers

 

[Brasher]

Let's have the "Not Quite Their Cup".

Reserved for fringe players from all clubs making up a Composite 8 team comp. Get some of these players a platform to showcase their skills, hunger, fans a chance to actually see them play.

Run double headers with the Women's league.

Players could then go into a veterans draft with original team retaining rights if they choose. Also allows teams to move on from contracted players if the opportunity isn't there for the player.

Or we could just go back to having a reserves comp.

 

[Rotayjay]

The AFL needs to stop trying to copy the NRL. Australian rules already destroys rugby league in TV ratings, match attendance and participation numbers.

 

[Cyclops]

Multiball! Three-team games! Half-time draft! More winning! Jokers for 9 point goal quarters! Concussion tests to include a televised funny current issues quiz with Charlie Pickering!!

 

[Randomizor]

I’m ok with the play everyone once aspect if it had some pretty strict rules about rotating the home and away team every year.

If pies host Geelong at MCG one year, then they need to go down to Geelong to play the next year. No if buts or maybes. Done.

Also removes the fixture nonsense of teams asking to play at specific stadiums.

 

[crows dude]

play it before the season. Like the old fosters cup. I

 

[Miles Wilks]

Would you rather win the NBA Cup or not win it? Obviously you'd rather win it. Just because it's secndary in importance to the main NBA title doesn't mean you don't strive to win it. The FA Cup is not as prestigious as winning the league title, but you still want to win it. The NBA Cup doesn't add games to the schedule, so the preference is to win it. It's not like it's an either/or situation as if there is some sort of choice for winning either the NBA Cup or the main NBA title. You are ALLOWED to win both. Hell, if you win the NBA Cup, you then become the only team who can win two trophies. One doesn't compromise the other.

Would you rather win the first minor trophy (the NBA Cup) and therefore still be able to win the main title and win two trophies?

Or would you rather not win the NBA Cup and therefore you can only win the main NBA title?

Obviously the former. It's not either/or. You are allowed to win both.

A second competition is a must have in my view...so I agree with you Dan26.

If there were just 12 teams in the competition there isn't a great need for a second trophy, but the fact is the AFL is an outlier in terms of major sporting competitions in that it has only one trophy on offer. ALL other major sports throughout the Western world have two or more trophies on offer.
EPL,
MLB (National League, American League and World Series)
NFL (AFC, NFC, Superbowl)
etc.

Why do they keep introducing Dermott Brereton as a "5-time day and 5-time night time premiership player" if it means nothing for him to have won the night premierships? Should we scrub them from his record then?

There is revisionism in terms of how we view the pre-season competition as it petered out due to the Sydney Swans and a couple of other clubs in the last few years of it treating it as a practise round. Up to those final few years either the strongest club in the competition over the last 50 years (Hawthorn) won it on a regular basis or other strong clubs made an impression. If you make the rewards great enough all teams will want to win it.

Dermott Brereton -

• Day Premierships: 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1991.
• Night Premierships: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992.