1996 Lightning Premiership

[BigVic]

With AFLX returning tomorrow, let's look back at the 1996 Lightning Premiership, a one-off preseason competition to celebrate the 1996 Centenary AFL season. All matches were played at Waverley on the weekends of 9-11 February 1996.

Some of the unusual rules that were trialled included

• Each game consisted of two 17 minute halves, with a five-minute half-time break
• In the case of a tie after normal time, the siren would not sound until another score had been registered
• Four boundary and four goal umpires were used
• Three points were awarded if the ball hit the post, signalled by a different coloured flag
• Three points were awarded for a deliberately rushed behind
• The last player to touch the ball before it went over the boundary line was penalised and a free kick awarded to the opposing team. When it could not be determined who touched the ball last, it was thrown back in
• The defender kicking in after a score did not have to wait until the goal umpire finished waving his flags
• No umpire would bounce the ball, instead it was thrown up on all occasions
• Six-man interchange bench

Lots of bizzare rules as mentioned.

 

[Dazzler9]

With AFLX returning tomorrow, let's look back at the 1996 Lightning Premiership a one-off preseason competition to celebrate the 1996 Centenary AFL season with all matches at Waverley on the weekends of 9-11 February 1996.

Some of the unusual rules that were trialled included

• Each game consisted of two 17 minute halves, with a five-minute half-time break
• In the case of a tie after normal time, the siren would not sound until another score had been registered
• Four boundary and four goal umpires were used
• Three points were awarded if the ball hit the post, signalled by a different coloured flag
• Three points were awarded for a deliberately rushed behind
• The last player to touch the ball before it went over the boundary line was penalised and a free kick awarded to the opposing team. When it could not be determined who touched the ball last, it was thrown back in
• The defender kicking in after a score did not have to wait until the goal umpire finished waving his flags
• No umpire would bounce the ball, instead it was thrown up on all occasions
• Six-man interchange bench

Lots of bizzare rules as mentioned.

The third-last dot point and to a lesser extent the second last dot point, have actually been implemented, so they're not all bizarre rules I guess.
This one jumped out at me as a reasonable idea:

Three points were awarded for a deliberately rushed behind

I'd probably be in favour of making it 2 points rather than 3, and just making it any rushed behind, deliberate or not. That way, we could get rid of the deliberate adjudication all together.

 

[emblurr]

I remember going to this down at Waverley. Was coming down in fuc..i mean bucketfulls. Wondered what they hell I was doing there.

 

[Rusty Brookes]

I remember going to this down at Waverley. Was coming down in fuc..i mean bucketfulls. Wondered what they hell I was doing there.

A mate of mine went by himself. Managed to sneak in a heap of booze and sat there drinking in the pouring rain. He expressed the same thought.

 

[giggler99]

I didn't mind this concept when they used it for the NAB Cup a few years back!
Problem in 96 was they played it at Waverly on the worst weekend of the year! I mean it was cold and pissing down all three days! mother nature just killed it

Another simple tournament like this would work I reckon (minuse the Gimmicks the AFL will no doubt include) not the made up rubbish that is AFLX

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

Remember it being on and happy for Brisbane to make a Grand Final for whatever reason. At that age I guess was really hanging for the new season and wasn't quite full of the cynicism I have for the league now.

 

[raymond35]

I knew a guy who traveled from QLD for it, was the only time he ever went to VFL park before it was knocked down. Felt sorry for him that it was such a crappy weekend.

 

[Macpotata]

 

[footyfan1978]

Remember the Ash Wednesday Bush Fires game out a Waverley this time of year. 1983. All Stars team v premiership club. Was good fun and raised money for community. One of better alternative pre-season things tried.
I can remember that but 1996 thing cannot recall. Must have been shite.

 

[BigVic]

The concept was bought back for the NAB Cup until its abolition in 2013.

Weather wasn't kind that weekend and kept the crowd numbers down.

 

[SunGirl89]

Let's not forget the other Lightning Premierships:

1940: St Kilda d. Richmond
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1941: Collingwood d. Melbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1941_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1943: Essendon d. Fitzroy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1951: Collingwood d. Melbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1952: Melbourne d. South Melbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1953: Richmond d. St Kilda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1996: Essendon d. Brisbane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_AFL_Lightning_Premiership

 

[giggler99]

Let's not forget the other Lightning Premierships:

1940: St Kilda d. Richmond
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1941: Collingwood d. Melbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1941_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1943: Essendon d. Fitzroy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1951: Collingwood d. Melbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1952: Melbourne d. South Melbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1953: Richmond d. St Kilda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

1996: Essendon d. Brisbane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_AFL_Lightning_Premiership

WOW! did not know there was a lighting premiership before 1996 thought it was only created to celebrate the VFL/AFL centenary year!
Interesting format too just a quick 20min match, No halfs or quarters. Wonder if it was alted or kept the some in the 50's years Tournament, doesn't say on Wiki.

The Patriotic Premiership was staged as a knock-out tournament amongst the twelve VFL teams on a single day. Because twelve teams is not enough for a balanced knock-out tournament, the draw was arranged such that the teams which occupied the bottom four places on the league ladder at the time of the tournament had an easier path to the final.

Each match lasted for twenty minutes, without time-on, played in a single continuous period.[1]

from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_VFL_Lightning_Premiership

 

[Occidental]

I just love the term “Lightning Premiership”. Who came up with that?
Whoever they were - they’re a genius!

 

[BigVic]

They should bring it back. Interesting find.