NAB cup format

[LovettRyderLloyd]

Just wanted to say I have been a big fan of the NAB cup format this year. 18 games in 18 days has been an incredible spectacle so far for a footy tragics like myself. Hoping the AFL keep this system in the forthcoming years so that the average football fan can keep enjoying the NAB cup for what it is, a preview of the season to come but more importantly understanding what games in February really are, a glorified practice match.

Have you liked the format so far?

Discuss.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I like, seems to be less of the league trying to make practice matches appear to be anything more than practice matches.

 

[daniel_4tw]

I like the 18 games in 18 days, but would like a final at the end. Just so we were working towards something and there was a winner.

 

[welshm69]

I think it's a ridiculous setup. I much preferred it when it was like a mini season of 4 rounds or whatever about 5-6 years ago. It made sense. The last few years they are just tossing around ideas and people clearly aren't interested, have you seen the crowds at the pre-season lately, almost not even worth opening the gates.... and it's only on Foxtel.

 

[Forward Press]

I think it's a ridiculous setup. I much preferred it when it was like a mini season of 4 rounds or whatever about 5-6 years ago. It made sense. The last few years they are just tossing around ideas and people clearly aren't interested, have you seen the crowds at the pre-season lately, almost not even worth opening the gates.... and it's only on Foxtel.

That was when we had 16 teams and it was very easy to progress from 16 -> 8 -> 4 -> 2 teams in the NAB Cup final.

I think this format (with no finals) is better than the 3 team round robin format. Do we really need a pre-season grand final?

 

[LovettRyderLloyd]

That was when we had 16 teams and it was very easy to progress from 16 -> 8 -> 4 -> 2 teams in the NAB Cup final.

I think this format (with no finals) is better than the 3 team round robin format. Do we really need a pre-season grand final?

That's my point. I have really enjoyed it so far.

 

[Pessimistic]

Clarko openly only took two of the games seriously and it looked like others were follwing. Keeps the quality of each game up even though theres no prize

 

[Bert Ritto]

Must admit it's the first year I've watched NAB as it's the normal length game. I honestly never even bothered with the round-robin style.

 

[pazza]

The set-up fails in one key aspect.

Success tends to breed success.

 

[BLPC08]

This format should've been implemented years ago. The NAB Cup was a vehicle for false hope; ask any Brisbane or Carlton fan who witnessed their team look like champions in the pre-season, then suddenly turn into s*** once the season proper started.

 

[pazza]

This format should've been implemented years ago. The NAB Cup was a vehicle for false hope; ask any Brisbane or Carlton fan who witnessed their team look like champions in the pre-season, then suddenly turn into s*** once the season proper started.

Conversely: Essendon won the double 3 times (84, 93, 00), Hawthorn same (86, 88, 91)

 

[hawker92]

The best thing about the new format is that the matches are of full length

 

[FootyJunkie]

NAB Challenge Ladder

Hawthorn 2 0 0 357.89% 272 76
West Coast 1 0 0 231.25% 148 64
Adelaide 1 0 0 201.69% 119 59
Sydney 1 0 0 153.33% 115 75
W.Bulldogs 1 0 0 119.64% 67 56
Melbourne 1 0 0 116.67% 98 84
Carlton 1 0 0 107.53% 100 93
Geelong 1 0 0 101.96% 104 102
Gold Coast 1 0 0 101.12% 90 89
Essendon 0 1 0 98.89% 89 90
Collingwood 0 1 0 98.08% 102 104
Richmond 0 1 0 85.71% 84 98
St.Kilda 0 1 0 83.58% 56 67
GWS Giants 0 1 0 65.22% 75 115
Port Adel. 0 1 0 49.58% 59 119
Fremantle 0 1 0 43.24% 64 148
Brisbane 0 1 0 14.94% 23 154
Nth.Melb. 0 2 0 66.97% 146 218

 

[Badesumofu]

I like it. It dispenses with the notion that you can win at practice matches. The point of the preseason isn't to win, so having a grand final just seems like a nonsense.

 

[Plugger35]

That was when we had 16 teams and it was very easy to progress from 16 -> 8 -> 4 -> 2 teams in the NAB Cup final.

I think this format (with no finals) is better than the 3 team round robin format. Do we really need a pre-season grand final?

Even with 18 teams you can just eliminate the Rd1 winner with the lowest percentage to have 8 teams in the QFs, 4 teams in the SFs and then two teams in the GF.

I preferred that format to the 3 team round robin format and the current format with no final.

 

[FootyJunkie]

Just have 2 qualifying matches amongst the bottom 4 from the previous season, to get it from 18 to 16.

Or how about just a short tournament over 3 weeks contesting the 8 finals sides from the previous year. 3 games is how long the pre-season is for each club now.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I like the knockout, but realise I am very much in the minority - and that extra games would have to added as qualifiers with 18 teams.
There still could have been games all week in the early rounds, with those eliminated playing in the bush (obviously those would have to be weekends where lights were not up to playing standard) with experimental rules.

 

[FootyJunkie]

since all sides are playing a practice match after the 18 games, they may as well have done 27 games in 27 days

 

[Hellgood]

Really like the games at suburban/country grounds. Haven't watched when it clashes with the cricket, but it's nice having the option on a weeknight.

 

[FootyJunkie]

NAB Challenge Ladder

Hawthorn 2 0 0 357.89% 272 76
West Coast 1 0 0 231.25% 148 64
Adelaide 1 0 0 201.69% 119 59
Sydney 1 0 0 153.33% 115 75
W.Bulldogs 1 0 0 119.64% 67 56
Richmond 1 1 0 119.54% 208 174
Melbourne 1 0 0 116.67% 98 84
Carlton 1 0 0 107.53% 100 93
Geelong 1 0 0 101.96% 104 102
Gold Coast 1 0 0 101.12% 90 89
Essendon 0 1 0 98.89% 89 90
St.Kilda 0 1 0 83.58% 56 67
Collingwood 0 2 0 78.07% 178 228
Nth.Melb. 0 2 0 66.97% 146 218
GWS Giants 0 1 0 65.22% 75 115
Port Adel. 0 1 0 49.58% 59 119
Fremantle 0 1 0 43.24% 64 148
Brisbane 0 1 0 14.94% 23 154

 

[LosBeatles]

It's taken my interest in pre season from 2 % down to 0 %.

A few times I have been sitting at my computer and started to click the AFL website to check who won, only to think, "well, what difference does it make who won anyway?" So I don't bother. With the knockout format at least there is that small motivation to see who wins or loses

If the pre season is going to be completely pointless I wish they would just do it quietly over the same weekend and then get the real season started

 

[jerry springer]

I Like, missus does not. She wants to watch Yes to dress 365 days of the year

 

[The Blue Baggers]

no one cared when it was comp ... this is much better

also like the idea of spreading games - 1 per day - for tv

also also like the idea of playing in regional areas

 

[Gibbke]

NAB Challenge Ladder

Hawthorn 2 0 0 357.89% 272 76
West Coast 1 0 0 231.25% 148 64
Adelaide 1 0 0 201.69% 119 59
Sydney 1 0 0 153.33% 115 75
W.Bulldogs 1 0 0 119.64% 67 56
Melbourne 1 0 0 116.67% 98 84
Carlton 1 0 0 107.53% 100 93
Geelong 1 0 0 101.96% 104 102
Gold Coast 1 0 0 101.12% 90 89
Essendon 0 1 0 98.89% 89 90
Collingwood 0 1 0 98.08% 102 104
Richmond 0 1 0 85.71% 84 98
St.Kilda 0 1 0 83.58% 56 67
GWS Giants 0 1 0 65.22% 75 115
Port Adel. 0 1 0 49.58% 59 119
Fremantle 0 1 0 43.24% 64 148
Brisbane 0 1 0 14.94% 23 154
Nth.Melb. 0 2 0 66.97% 146 218

Exhibit A as to why we MUST have a preseason GF...

 

[Cynic]

I Like, missus does not. She wants to watch Yes to dress 365 days of the year

Oh god I know your pain

On topic it's much better than previous formats but I still don't really care enough to watch more than a few minutes as I can normally rely on seeing at least one team soullessly going through the motions with all the intensity of a government department.