Gather Round: Who will have to give up a home game from 2028 onwards given that you can only have an even number of matches in a 19-team league?

[Dan26]

So, in 2028, the competition will comprise of 19 teams. Currently, we have a 23-game Home and Away season comprised of the following:

• 11 home games
• 11 away games
• 1 neutral game (Gather Round)

It is impossible to have an odd number of games in a 19-team league. It can only be 22 or 24 matches. Let's assume a 22-game season. That means if Gather Round continues to be a thing, one team will not be able to compete in Gather Round, and 7 of the 19 clubs will have to "sell" a home game to South Australia essentially against their will. Port Adelaide and the Crows will obviously host genuine home games as one of their 11 home games in that round.

But which of the 7 clubs will be forced to sell one of their 11 home games? And do they get a say in it? I'm sure the Victorian clubs that already sell home games to other venues wouldn't want to forfeit a home game to S.A against their will, but selling those other games is their choice, so why should they get to avoid it? Surely, all 17 clubs (other than the two S.A teams) over a period of a few years would have to equally give up a home game, but how would West Coast fans feel about only having 10 home games? Unfortunately, it's the only fair way to do it. You have to rotate it. Or will the AFL pay certain clubs and essentially bribe them?

A 24-game season doesn't solve anything. It just means every team should get 12 home games and 7 clubs would only get 11.

The AFL was proposing a silly idea about a year ago, which I think Andrew Dillon has said is not going to happen, which was three Gather Rounds per season for a total of 19 games - All Clubs participate in two of the three Gather Rounds + 22 other H&A games per year (24 total).

The whole thing is just a mess.

 

[Colonial]

 

[Teen Wolf]

I think you'll find it's not the AFL proposing different Gather Rounds, but governments are proposing such ideas to the AFL, who are then considering what that should look like.

How else would you interpret this, for instance:

Premier David Crisafulli said while financial contributions were important, securing major matches and events was worth more.
“We’ve really dialled that up to make sure that, because of the investment, we can get the kind of content that a growing state deserves,” he said.

“...we’re in talks with AFL about some exciting opportunities for content there. I’ve had those personally with the AFL CEO.”

 

[kreuze_missile]

I'm still hopeful that the Tasmania team get cancelled. There's not enough kids playing AFL to fill out 18 teams with talent, let alone adding more.

Anyway, the answer to your question is the Melbourne clubs that are already selling home games - Dees, Hawks, Dogs and North.

Or just get rid of North Melbourne entirely and go back to an 18 team competiton.

 

[Dan26]

I'm still hopeful that the Tasmania team get cancelled. There's not enough kids playing AFL to fill out 18 teams with talent, let alone adding more.

Anyway, the answer to your question is the Melbourne clubs that are already selling home games - Dees, Hawks, Dogs and North.

Or just get rid of North Melbourne entirely and go back to an 18 team competiton.

I also think 19 teams is too many.

 

[The Tilt]

So, in 2028, the competition will comprise of 19 teams. Currently, we have a 23-game Home and Away season comprised of the following:

• 11 home games
• 11 away games
• 1 neutral game (Gather Round)

It is impossible to have an odd number of games in a 19-team league. It can only be 22 or 24 matches. Let's assume a 22-game season. That means if Gather Round continues to be a thing, one team will not be able to compete in Gather Round, and 7 of the 19 clubs will have to "sell" a home game to South Australia essentially against their will. Port Adelaide and the Crows will obviously host genuine home games as one of their 11 home games in that round.

But which of the 7 clubs will be forced to sell one of their 11 home games? And do they get a say in it? I'm sure the Victorian clubs that already sell home games to other venues wouldn't want to forfeit a home game to S.A against their will, but selling those other games is their choice, so why should they get to avoid it? Surely, all 17 clubs (other than the two S.A teams) over a period of a few years would have to equally give up a home game, but how would West Coast fans feel about only having 10 home games? Unfortunately, it's the only fair way to do it. You have to rotate it. Or will the AFL pay certain clubs and essentially bribe them?

A 24-game season doesn't solve anything. It just means every team should get 12 home games and 7 clubs would only get 11.

The AFL was proposing a silly idea about a year ago, which I think Andrew Dillon has said is not going to happen, which was three Gather Rounds per season for a total of 19 games - All Clubs participate in two of the three Gather Rounds + 22 other H&A games per year (24 total).

The whole thing is just a mess.

A 24-game season. All 19 clubs play 11 home, 11 away + 2 neutral (gather round) matches.

It's really not that hard.

 

[Dan26]

A 24-game season. All 19 clubs play 11 home, 11 away + 2 neutral (gather round) matches.

It's really not that hard.

Well, it's not as simple as that, obviously. I'd argue that 23 games is too many. The season drags on long enough as it is. Now, you're suggesting 24? And you're not suggesting it because 24 is the right number of games, or that it is better for the competition with 24 games, but simply to accommodate Gather Round. As if Gather Round is so vital and necessary that we must increase from 22 to 24 to just to accommodate that one small thing. What's so "necessary" about playing 9 games in one city, that the entire fixture must be revolutionized and two whole rounds added, just to fit it in?

 

[Billy ray]

im still annoyed that when gather round was announced, it was said it was an extra game.
meaning if it didnt happen, the season would be normal

if thats the case, how come this year, the only time we play north was at gather round (might also be the case for other gather round matchups - i havent looked).
all gather round matchups should be part of every teams double up games - only then can it be declared an extra game

 

[Teen Wolf]

...the decision to increase to 23 games was made separate to the inclusion of Gather Round.

 

[JackFlash]

This will be unpopular, but i don't think we'll get a 19 team competition by 2028. I think a Melbourne team will fold before then? We might go to a 20 team competition in the future, but it will be at the expense of two Melbourne based teams at some point?

 

[The Tilt]

Well, it's not as simple as that, obviously. I'd argue that 23 games is too many. The season drags on long enough as it is. Now, you're suggesting 24? And you're not suggesting it because 24 is the right number of games, or that it is better for the competition with 24 games, but simply to accommodate Gather Round. As if Gather Round is so vital and necessary that we must increase from 22 to 24 to just to accommodate that one small thing. What's so "necessary" about playing 9 games in one city, that the entire fixture must be revolutionized and two whole rounds added, just to fit it in?

Ok.

I suggested a 24 game season, because I think that's the mostly likely outcome. I don't really buy the "the season's too long already" argument, but if you think it is, then a 22-game season is the way to go (as you say, 24 or 22 are really the only options with 19 clubs).

In the less likely case of a 22-game season, my guess is we end up with everyone playing 10 home, 10 away + 2 neutral matches. If 10 home matches per club is too few, then, sure - they'll need to do away with gather round in its current form (maintaining an even number of home matches per club means either 2 neutral matches or none at all). As you say, the other possibility is that they run a standard 11-home, 11-away schedule, but with up to 7 clubs selling a home game to SA to facilitate gather round.

I'm not sure I'd say it's "necessary" to have 9 games in one city (why did you put that word in scare quotes anyway?). It's just that there's significant money involved, and apparently gather round has worked pretty well so far, so I'm guessing they'll want to continue with it.

 

[The Tilt]

...the decision to increase to 23 games was made separate to the inclusion of Gather Round.

Really? Source?

 

[Teen Wolf]

Really? Source?

 

[Billy ray]

AFL boss confirms NRL-style ‘magic round’ being discussed in 2023 fixture shakeup

AFL boss confirms NRL-style ‘magic round’ being discussed in 2023 fixture shakeup

web.archive.org

The outgoing AFL CEO added club members would not be adversely impacted by such a concept coming to fruition.

“The members in each state still get their 11 home games and it’s an additional one, and we can come together as an industry,” he said

 

[Teen Wolf]

AFL boss confirms NRL-style ‘magic round’ being discussed in 2023 fixture shakeup

AFL boss confirms NRL-style ‘magic round’ being discussed in 2023 fixture shakeup

web.archive.org

The outgoing AFL CEO added club members would not be adversely impacted by such a concept coming to fruition.

“The members in each state still get their 11 home games and it’s an additional one, and we can come together as an industry,” he said

Nice article... 6 months after Gill had already made the case for a 23rd game (see date in tweet above).

 

[Billy ray]

Nice article... 6 months after Gill had already made the case for a 23rd game (see date in tweet above).

yeh and when discussing with clubs after the initial thought bubble, they realised some teams would get 11 home games and some 10, clubs didnt want that, so it was only gonna happen if it was a neutral round, and thats what happened

 

[Obeanie1]

A 24-game season. All 19 clubs play 11 home, 11 away + 2 neutral (gather round) matches.

It's really not that hard.

So neutral gather round matches are local derbies?

Trying to wrap my head around that bit.

 

[Teen Wolf]

yeh and when discussing with clubs after the initial thought bubble, they realised some teams would get 11 home games and some 10, clubs didnt want that, so it was only gonna happen if it was a neutral round, and thats what happened

The AFL wanted a 23rd game and decided Gather Round was the best way to make it happen (it's obviously not the only way, be serious). If Gather Round was for some reason cancelled next year, there's still going to be 23 H&A games per team.

The idea wasn't "let's have a Gather Round, but we'll have to extend the season to accommodate it". OP doesn't seem to be aware of this.

 

[HairyO]

We know Collingwood wont ever give up a home game. More likely to get an extra MCG game not one fewer.

 

[katana]

I'm still hopeful that the Tasmania team get cancelled. There's not enough kids playing AFL to fill out 18 teams with talent, let alone adding more.

Anyway, the answer to your question is the Melbourne clubs that are already selling home games - Dees, Hawks, Dogs and North.

Or just get rid of North Melbourne entirely and go back to an 18 team competiton.

agree except get rid of giants and keep norf.

 

[kreuze_missile]

The AFL wanted a 23rd game and decided Gather Round was the best way to make it happen (it's obviously not the only way, be serious). If Gather Round was for some reason cancelled next year, there's still going to be 23 H&A games per team.

The idea wasn't "let's have a Gather Round, but we'll have to extend the season to accommodate it". OP doesn't seem to be aware of this.

More games means more quantity of product to sell.

AFL have no idea how increase quality so this is the only lever the have to pull.

 

[Dan26]

More games means more quantity of product to sell.

AFL have no idea how increase quality so this is the only lever the have to pull.

Exactly. More games also dilutes the quality. The NFL have a 17-game season and most games matter, there are limited dead rubbers and the season doesn't drag on and on and on. That's a different market obviously as they have 330 million people and we have 27 million, but it's a good example of "less is more"

The AFLW saw a massive increase in games expanding from 10 teams to 18, but ratings decreased as the standard was terrible.

There are some no-brainers IMO.

- Smarter fixturing in terms of fixturing the lesser teams against each other in the opening rounds of the season, and have their second meeting no later than mid-season. For example, Richmond vs West Coast should play twice in round 2-ish and round 10-ish. They met 2 weeks ago in round 19 when blind Freddy could have told you that was going to be a meaningless game that late in the season.

- No crossover of Sunday games. Instead of a EST 1:10pm, 3:20pm and 4:40pm game, have the games at 12:45PM, 3:20PM and 6:10pm. Sunday night is the highest ratings TV night of the week, yet 6:10pm is still early enough to have the match finished by 8:45pm.

 

[kreuze_missile]

There are some no-brainers IMO.

The ratio of home and away games to finals is where i'd start.

25 week duration home and away season for only 4 weeks of finals.

Finals are only 13% of the season duration.

Meanwhile NFL is ~20%

NBA is over 33%.

 

[Dan26]

The ratio of home and away games to finals is where i'd start.

25 week duration home and away season for only 4 weeks of finals.

Finals are only 13% of the season duration.

Meanwhile NFL is ~20%

NBA is over 33%.

In 1993 (with a 20 game season) the ratio was 20%. Bias aside, that was the best season the AFL ever had in terms of an even ladder and great games all year. 3.5 wins separated 1st and 12th. Twenty games was perfect.

 

[Billy ray]

In 1993 (with a 20 game season) the ratio was 20%. Bias aside, that was the best season the AFL ever had in terms of an even ladder and great games all year. 3.5 wins separated 1st and 12th. Twenty games was perfect.

yep
hopefully with tasmania they move to an 18 game play everyone once season, and if 3 gather rounds (and everyone plays 2 of them - getting everyone to 20 games) - they do a live tv draw of teams out of barrels for the gather round match ups each november, perhaps around draft night