No Oppo Supporters General AFL discussion and other club’s news - Part 10

[Ashman23]

To play devils advocate for a moment, if the fans had our way, we wouldn’t have night footy, interstate teams, televised footy, 18 teams, a top 8, etc etc. almost every major change in the game has been met with resistance, some things more than others.

Change in the game is necessary and typically as fans we tend to like things to stay the way they are.

I’m fairly ambivalent and open minded to the format so I’m not saying one way or another. But I don’t think the fans opinion is a particularly good point given its historic opposition to things that we now all love about the game.

What do you love about today's game?

 

[Yardie]

I've read a lot of comparisons with the NFL and MLB playoffs in preceding pages but no-one has yet mentioned the NBA, which I don't personally follow as closely as the other two major American sports - apologies to NHL fans but calling Ice Hockey a major sport would be somewhat of an exaggeration.

Anyway, in the NBA, if you include the play-in tournament, which appears to have inspired the AFL's wildcard round, 20 out of 30 teams (10 of 15 in each conference) are in with a chance of playing off for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after their regular season, which equates to the AFL's H&A.

That's 66.67%, significantly more than the AFL's 10 out of 18 (55.56%) that will eventually become 10 of 20 (50%).

Doesn't seem too bad, does it?

NBA is completely different as they play a lot of games and can do the following

7 v 8 Winner In
9 v 10 Winner Plays loser 7 v 8

So three games but guarantees one of 7/8 are in.

 

[unitedhawk2]

NBA is completely different as they play a lot of games and can do the following

7 v 8 Winner In
9 v 10 Winner Plays loser 7 v 8

So three games but guarantees one of 7/8 are in.

Yes, the NBA play-in scenario isn't exactly the same as the AFL's wildcard but my point was about 20 of the 30 NBA teams having a non-zero probability of winning the title after the regular season, compared with just 10 out of 18/19/20 in the AFL.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

For someone who is pretty vocal about being sick of peopl whinging with the game I take umbrigge with this change.

You may even say great umbridge.

I don't like opening the pool of finalist to be broader - I think that's pretty silly. Just reduces the meaningfulness of making finals. But I can live with that. A wildcard round SHOULD determine who finishes 8th. That should be the extent of it.

8 v 9 to determine who actually gets there. I'm fine with that.

But to make it 7 and 8 means you have to include nine and TEN. This is a bridge too far. You're creating the chance for a team that finished sub 50% wins to defeat a team that has won 13/14 games. The best thing about AFL footy is that anything can happen on the day. It's juicy enough that 8th can defeat 5th in an elimination final - but this is too far in my view.

They've made it worse to finish 7th or 8th. These positions were already fraught. As a fan you knew you were cooked but you just clung on to hope that the stars would align. it's now even harder for those sides, while opening the door to teams who have pretty much zero chance into the finals.

It's only going to disrupt teams that finish 5-8 and make it easier for 1-4. And I dont like that at all.

I'd argue it's better for 5 and 6, gives them a greater advantage uber 7th and 8th.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

What do you mean no tanking?

If you're 7th and can't move any higher heading into the final round, what do you think coaches are going to do at team selection?

That's pretty unlikely and just as likely with a final 8 anyway.

It's not what I meant. I was referring to how it keeps lesser teams playing harder later in the season. Tanking was probably the wrong word.

 

[Crankyhawk]

Not a direct response to your comment but it did get me wondering about what reactions people had when the AFL decided to increase the number of finalists from 6 to 8 around 25 years ago.

I tried to remember what my reaction was when I first read/heard about it and I honestly can't recall, which makes me think it might've been something akin to a shrug of the shoulders and a thought that could be verbalised as "Hmm...alright then" followed by the next thought that would probably have been completely unrelated to footy.

Anyone else recall what their reaction was? If it was as negative as that of most regarding the increase from 8 to 10 now, do you remember how long it took for you to come to terms with having 8 finalists?

Anyone?

I think because of the structural problems with the final 6 there wasn't too much complaint (though I do recall the mediocrity concern was raised). Then the design of t came out and oh by did people go nuts (3 v 6 and 4 v 5 usually dead rubbers)

 

[m0zza]

It won’t even be the worst finals system the AFL has served up

 

[Notsoyabby]

Not a direct response to your comment but it did get me wondering about what reactions people had when the AFL decided to increase the number of finalists from 6 to 8 around 25 years ago.

I tried to remember what my reaction was when I first read/heard about it and I honestly can't recall, which makes me think it might've been something akin to a shrug of the shoulders and a thought that could be verbalised as "Hmm...alright then" followed by the next thought that would probably have been completely unrelated to footy.

Anyone else recall what their reaction was? If it was as negative as that of most regarding the increase from 8 to 10 now, do you remember how long it took for you to come to terms with having 8 finalists?

Anyone?

I remember that I was really against it so much that I wrote a letter (handwritten at the time) to the club, as in 1994 there were only 15 teams in the competition as then, and as now having more teams in the finals than in the competition made absolutely no sense. At the time we all thought it was rewarding mediocrity and once against history is repeating itself. What do they say about not learning from the past?

It was the one and only time I wrote such a letter, and I did get a reply back some time later signed I think by the CEO at the time John Lauritz, and I have a vague memory that the response was a lot of fairy floss about teams receiving greater exposure, more opportunities for fans to witness finals and of course more money. I still have it stored away in some box in Australia (I am o/s). Maybe when I am back, I will dig it out and send it the Museum.

Ironically that year we finished 6th and the initial format used under the then newly created final 8 system was 1 played 8, 2 played 7 and 3 played 6 etc. so we ended up playing 3rd placed North Melbourne. The previous year under the final 6 system we would have played 5th placed Footscray. That said, it wasn't that much of a disadvantage as the four teams finishing 3rd to 6th all finished on 13 wins for the season. 7th and 8th ended on 12 wins. I was at our final and it finished in a draw ending up being the first final decided by extra time with North (or should I say Carey kicking away in those additional minutes). My thanks to Wikipedia for the memory prompts. We were eliminated in week 1 but maybe if we had played Footscray we may have progressed. Who's to say?

8 of 18 now, well until next season made a bit more sense but not 10. I'll be interested to hear about the VAFA final system form where most of those higher up in the administration seem to have their background in footy. Is it so convoluted or much more reasonable in structure? The latter being a rhetoric question.

 

[Blackhawk42]

That's pretty unlikely and just as likely with a final 8 anyway.

It's not what I meant. I was referring to how it keeps lesser teams playing harder later in the season. Tanking was probably the wrong word.

That's why the pre-finals bye was introduced though.

If 7th can't move up and higher heading into final round, and they won't get another rest for the season, I guarantee they'll be trotting out a VFL standard side.

 

[A1fromDay1]

Not sure where to post this but got 2x front standing tickets to tonight's ACDC concert.

Free to whoever wants

Edit* just been snapped up

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Not sure where to post this but got 2x front standing tickets to tonight's ACDC concert.

Free to whoever wants

Noice fella you are!

 

[Atch]

Not AFL related but it's a bloody ripper day in the south west Vic.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Not AFL related but it's a bloody ripper day in the south west Vic.

Where?

 

[Buttonsticher]

Not sure where to post this but got 2x front standing tickets to tonight's ACDC concert.

Free to whoever wants

Edit* just been snapped up

It was a ripper concert. Currently sitting on stationary train. The bloke on the PA won't STFU

 

[Sixpence]

It was a ripper concert. Currently sitting on stationary train. The bloke on the PA won't STFU

I'm going Sunday night!

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

How about 2019? Essendon finished 8th (48 pts, 95.4%), ahead of Hawthorn (9th, 44 pts, 108.7%) and Port (10th, 44 pts, 105.4%). Do you think the Bombers were a better side and deserved to play finals ahead of the Hawks and Power that year?

If they won more games, they deserved to play finals.

 

[Millsie69]

 

[Roddy]

Wasn’t sure where else to put this, but on an initial, cursory perusal, our draw looks exceedingly UNscary…

 

[cryptor]

Wasn’t sure where else to put this, but on an initial, cursory perusal, our draw looks exceedingly UNscary…

2026 AFL Fixture

It's about this time of year the fixture is starting to be leaked and dropped. I think we may play Round Zero again, maybe in the GC this time. This will be followed by Essendon in Round 1 for sure. Anyone heard any rumours or leaks?

www.bigfooty.com

 

[eldorado]

I think we should be scared of Port next year...

Apparently, they've put together quite a good (death) squad...

 

[unitedhawk2]

Currently watching a Live press conference from Melbourne on the ABC News channel. Vic Premier addressing at the moment but Albo and Gowers, decked in Hawks scarves, lurking in background.

Are we expecting some announcement today?

Edit: Hawks logo in background suggests it's at KCC (or Waverley?). Premier currently talking about social media ban.

Edit 2: No Hawks-related content, unless it was in the earlier part of the press conference that wasn't covered Live.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

I think we should be scared of Port next year...

Apparently, they've put together quite a good (death) squad...

View attachment 2478507

 

[moginie]

I think we should be scared of Port next year...

Apparently, they've put together quite a good (death) squad...

View attachment 2478507

Quick!!! Contact Sharri Markson for some confected outrage!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I think we should be scared of Port next year...

Apparently, they've put together quite a good (death) squad...

View attachment 2478507

How the **** did no one look at that and say “yeah nah, let’s not”

 

[moginie]

How the **** did no one look at that and say “yeah nah, let’s not”

They'll blame it on the work experience kid.