Our draw 2006 and in the future

[froars]

There is inequity IMO between interstate and Victorian based teams that gives them a distinct advantage I reckon.

Our draw:

WB – Telstra (Away)
Saints – Telstra (Home) – Playing on Saints home base
W/Coast – Subiaco (Away)
Brisbane Lions (Gabba) (Away)
Carlton (MCG) Home – Home advantage, but how much so when Carlton play many games there
Essendon (MCG) (Away)
Sydney (Telstra) ( Home) – Home game but not at home base of MCG
Adelaide (Telstra) (Home) – A home advantage but not at home base
Geelong (Shell Stadium) (Away)
Freo (Subiaco) (Away)
Kangas (MCG) (Home) – No advantage cos Kangas play there as well
Hawks (Aurora) (Away)
Collingwood (MCG) (Home) No advantage cos Pies play there as well
Port (AAMI) (Away)
Melbourne (MCG) (Home) No advantage as Dees play there as well
Sydney (SCG) (Away)
Saints (MCG) (Away)
Western Bulldogs (MCG) (Home) Home advantage
Brisbane (Telstra) (Home) Home game but not at our home base
Carlton (Telstra) (Away)
Essendon (MCG) (Home) – No advantage – Bombers play there as well
West Coast (MCG) (Home) – A home advantage


Interstate clubs like Freo/WC and Adelaide/Port play 12 home and 10 interstate because they play each other twice per year.

Richmond for example played 6 interstate games this year, only four short of these clubs. They travel pretty much as much as they do.

And their home advantage was virtually zero because they played a lot of their games at Telstra Dome, their opposition’s home ground on many occasions, Saints/Bulldogs and their home games at their traditional home of the MCG played teams that were based there as well.

That’s a pretty hard ask and there’s no advantage IMO for this Melbourne-based club, yet 10 of the 12 home based games for the interstate teams above is a true advantage. The two times they play each other I’ve taken account of.

 

[tigerdan]

We'll get a good draw next year.

The whole draw is rigged to get high rating tv games and high attendances.

Because we are on the up and have good tv ratings already ,I am certain we'll get more night games (tv ratings) and more games at the G (to maximise attendances). Collingwood will get a good draw too. Because of this I expect we'll get less trips interstate as well.

Essendon and Carlton will be punished. The fad club looks like going the way of hula hoops and yo yo's.

North, Footscray and Melbourne will again have to 'spread the gospel' interstate and play more at telstra dome because they wouldn't get big crowds.

 

[True Thylacine]

What is the process here? Do we get any opportunity to influence the draw apart from a wish list or is it totally subjective stuff from the AFL?

 

[tigerdan]

Every club has a wish list that they submit to the AFL.

The league decides what is best for tv and attendances and only then do they try and fit in any wish lists at all.

If wish lists were taken into account, teams like Footscray would play Essendon, Carlton and Collingwood twice a year and really help their bottom line.

Unfortunately those games wont rate well for TV and it will never happen.

Richmond is lucky that we have a lot of supporters, and the league will schedule accordingly - provided we are doing OK.

I'm cynical about the whole exercise, but that's the reality of fixturing.

 

[True Thylacine]

Every club has a wish list that they submit to the AFL.

The league decides what is best for tv and attendances and only then do they try and fit in any wish lists at all.

If wish lists were taken into account, teams like Footscray would play Essendon, Carlton and Collingwood twice a year and really help their bottom line.

Unfortunately those games wont rate well for TV and it will never happen.

Richmond is lucky that we have a lot of supporters, and the league will schedule accordingly - provided we are doing OK.

I'm cynical about the whole exercise, but that's the reality of fixturing.

I find it pretty disappointing to be honest. Given how well the whole draft system with salary capping has worked to ensure a level playing field and created a real cyclic nature to who's hot and who's not, outside injuries to key players, the fixture is probably the most influential factor on success in any given year and the thing around which we have little if any ability to influence.
You have only got to look at Collingwood's draw this year.....how could they not have a good year really? That said, I suppose theres not much that can be done about it other than keep performing well and attracting crowds.

 

[tugga]

The whole thing is one big joke. How can you have a level playing field when there are 22 rounds and 16 clubs? Until the AFL have less clubs (unlikely given that struggling Vic teams have been guaranteed their future due to the TV deals) or each team plays each other twice, it will always be a joke.

 

[Big Punt]

To me, the draw and the draft system are the two biggest issues that need to be fixed to salvage the integrity of the competition.

The draw is too influenced by outside and selfish interests, its inequity borders on ridiculous.

The draft system encourages the lower teams to "tank" one they are out of contention. Again it comprimises the integrity of the competition.

 

[itsintheblood]

The draw will NEVER be equal until all teams play each other twice.

 

[Truetiger]

What is the process here? Do we get any opportunity to influence the draw apart from a wish list or is it totally subjective stuff from the AFL?

To be honest this wish list clubs can put in is just crap. Face it besides Collingwood and 1 or 2 other sides. You dont really get what you are after anyhow.

The draw will NEVER be equal until all teams play each other twice.

Agree. Wish the afl would though

 

[froars]

I just laugh at the interstate teams when they say they have to fly every week. They get a very big advantage by their home games where there is no advantage over here for Victorian clubs at their home venue (whatever that may be these days). That's why there will probably be a majority of interstate teams in the finals every year. We really don't stand a chance and the game will be the loser for it eventually.