The Bye

[Riders of Rohan]

I think the AFL has missed a perfect opportunity to eliminate the advantage/disadvantage of the bye this year. With 6 teams having a bye for 3 weeks it would have been common-sense to see that these 6 teams played each other the following week. But instead we're going to see match ups like Adelaide vs Saints, WCE vs Carlton, Bulldogs vs Port etc.

With the possible introduction of two byes throughout the season in a similar format next year it's something I'd like to see implemented.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

But, that makes sense.

 

[LordLucifer]

There is no valid reason to have a bye or multiply byes in a season.

 

[Unsociable]

Have to agree with the OP. Would also prefer to see the old split round (4 games one week, 5 the next) used for byes. Particularly if there are two byes each next season. It would lead to less weeks that are affected.

 

[Footy_Tiger]

I hate the bye and yep I do understand what it's for.
But if there is going to be a bye, have in done in one week, with all teams having a bye at the same time. This would also make sure that all teams have an even break.

On the week that there is a bye for all teams, have a state of origin clash or a charity match of past greats (get Plugger and God to come back), or an all Australian team of the previous year to challenge the best of the best from the current year so far.

I'm sure there could be some great entertainment for each state to be had if somebody stopped and thought about it, and this would fix the current problem of loss of revenue from no matches played (which is I believe why they have done the bye over three weeks).

 

[THE EQUALIZER]

Here is the template on how it should be done.

2013
Round 9 - BYES: Carlton, GWS, Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, West Coast, Western Bulldogs.
Fremantle v Geelong
Brisbane v Adelaide
Collingwood v Sydney
Hawthorn v Gold Coast
Richmond v Essendon
St Kilda v Melbourne

Round 10 - BYES: Brisbane, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn, St Kilda, Sydney.
(Teams coming off the bye play each other)
GWS v Port Adelaide
Carlton v West Coast
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

(Teams yet to have a bye play each other)
Gold Coast v Collingwood
Essendon v Melbourne
Adelaide v Richmond

Round 11 - BYES: Adelaide, Collingwood, Essendon, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Richmond.
(Teams that had a bye in Round 9 play each other)
Port Adelaide v North Melbourne
West Coast v GWS
Western Bulldogs v Carlton

(Teams that had a bye in Round 10 play each other)
Sydney v St Kilda
Hawthorn v Fremantle
Geelong v Brisbane

Round 12
(Teams that had a bye in Round 9 play each other)
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide
North Melbourne v West Coast
GWS v Carlton

(Teams that had a bye in Round 10 play each other)
Fremantle v Sydney
Brisbane v Hawthorn
St Kilda v Geelong

(Teams that had a bye in Round 11 play each other)
Adelaide v Essendon
Richmond v Gold Coast
Melbourne v Collingwood