Does the AFL have a blowout problem?

[Giant YoYo]

I could have never imagined not watching every game of football if I'm at home, have been switching off more and more. Even the games I look forward to have somehow managed a blowout.

Sadly doesn't do much for the spectacle.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

I'm always interested to know what easy ride the Cats have had this year? They played 6 of the top 8 sides currently in the first 9 rounds of 2025? They play their 6th interstate game next week, who should they play?

We have 3 interstate trips in the last 6 rounds if you want to compare. Have been to every state to play including NT. Had to play in Adelaide twice. Played all the bottom 4 once only. Think that's where the comments regarding your draw comes from, other contenders are doing the hard yards.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

I could have never imagined not watching every game of football if I'm at home, have been switching off more and more. Even the games I look forward to have somehow managed a blowout.

Sadly doesn't do much for the spectacle.

Netflix getting a good workout this year when I switch off halfway through the 3rd quarter most weeks.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Dogs, Cats and Crows. Dogs and Crows have been ultra consistent every week whether they have won or lost hence why there percentages are so high. No smashing when they lose and more smashing of other teams than others. All 3 play an ultra attacking game style due to the talent on their lists.

Oh yeah Dogs too. Isn't it ironic the Dogs have had no smashings, as their defence is considered one of the weakest.

 

[archereleven]

Netflix getting a good workout this year when I switch off halfway through the 3rd quarter most weeks.

3rd quarter?
I'm barely able to watch my own rabble and cant bring myself to watch any neutral football at all.

Shocking umpiring, blow-outs and inconsistencies throughout every facet of the game have done me in. If it continues, I cant see myself following the comp at all soon.

 

[JackFlash]

We have 3 interstate trips in the last 6 rounds if you want to compare. Have been to every state to play including NT. Had to play in Adelaide twice. Played all the bottom 4 once only. Think that's where the comments regarding your draw comes from, other contenders are doing the hard yards.

You're making too much out of it, it's more about the Geelong envy than anything else. Geelong have traveled too and still have to travel next week. They play 17 other teams just like everyone else including Brisbane, GWS, Adelaide and Sydeny away. You still have to win!

 

[Astro35]

Yes there's a blow-out problem. This is what happens when the AFL abandons equalisation and compromises the draft every year.

 

[Cleric]

I dont get it. I like watching an in form team just crushing another team with excellent play as much as watching a close game. As a Crows supporter I would much rather watch them destroy a team than get beaten by one point after the siren.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I dont get it. I like watching an in form team just crushing another team with excellent play as much as watching a close game. As a Crows supporter I would much rather watch them destroy a team than get beaten by one point after the siren.

Sure, but if the Crows are the ones getting pumped; or for games you're watching as a neutral?
Carlton getting whallopped beyond oblivion is always funny, and if Hawthorn could go a few decades losing by a couple of hundred points a game that would be nice (as a Crows fan you possibly say that about Port); but beyond that?

When its not your team handing out the smashing, or a despised or comedy team losing, woukd you watch four quarters of a close one or a blowout? The vast bulk of people will prefer the close one provided its not too turgid a shutdown and nothing else game.

 

[Cleric]

Sure, but if the Crows are the ones getting pumped; or for games you're watching as a neutral?
Carlton getting whallopped beyond oblivion is always funny, and if Hawthorn could go a few decades losing by a couple of hundred points a game that would be nice (as a Crows fan you possibly say that about Port); but beyond that?

When its not your team handing out the smashing, or a despised or comedy team losing, woukd you watch four quarters of a close one or a blowout? The vast bulk of people will prefer the close one provided its not too turgid a shutdown and nothing else game.

Of course.
What I will say is this, the way the game is played today, with the 6,6,6, interchanges, zones etc, if a team is 20% off then the score against is much higher than it used to be.
The AFL wanted more free flowing, higher scoring games, and have made changes to the rules, the way the umpires decide things etc, and the result is what we see today. In the old days teams could flood, have 20 people around the ball, deliberately send the ball out of bounds, rush behinds from anywhere on the ground, hold play up by chipping it around and winding down the clock etc.
Today's if things are getting a bit congested the umps will find a free kick to award to move the ball out of the area.
Umpired are far stricter on what defenders can do against forwards, so more free kicks in the goal square.
I could go on, but I personally think this is now they way the game is.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Oh yeah Dogs too. Isn't it ironic the Dogs have had no smashings, as their defence is considered one of the weakest.

That's because they score so heavily they are never out of games even if they are getting scored against alot. They lost to the Crows the other week, were outplayed yet still nearly kicked 100 points against 1 of the best defences in the comp this year. We kept them to 8 goals which looking back was an amazing effort considering what they are kicking most weeks.

 

[Makeshift Park]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-boss-andrew-dillon-blames-2025-blowouts-on-injury-lists/news-story/f7b06e599cfd3df1662d9ede8c3d3120

AFL boss Andrew Dillon concedes there have been “too many” lopsided games in 2025 but says lengthy injury lists and not fixture imbalances are to blame.

 

[kickazz]

There has always been blowouts.

What is different now, in their enablement of footy addiction and stopping us from doing other things wit hour spare time, is that there is very little overlap between games. So if you get a shit game you are stuck watching it.

Make2 games on Friday a regular thing, and then you can flick over to the good game.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Maybe the AFL should use better tyres if they do not what blowouts.

 

[iameviljez]

There has always been blowouts.

What is different now, in their enablement of footy addiction and stopping us from doing other things wit hour spare time, is that there is very little overlap between games. So if you get a shit game you are stuck watching it.

Make2 games on Friday a regular thing, and then you can flick over to the good game.

There have always, in particular, been blowouts at this time of year.

Young sides get injuries, they get exhausted, they get sore, they lose momentum as the finals are gone. That's why this end of the year is what results in a lot of smashings.