True Wildcard System Considered by the AFL, Revisited

[Teen Wolf]

NINE years ago the league reportedly looked at ways of extending the current finals setup with extra spots granted according to wins versus top teams, see two variations below for how that would work:


(reasonably sure I correctly counted the number of wins, but you get the idea in any case)

This proposal addresses criticisms of both the current imbalanced fixture (more chances for teams with harder draws) and the faux-wildcard system which would simply grant 9th and 10th a finals berth. Also, a system based on performance against the better teams blunts any suggestion of rewarding mediocrity.

Another benefit is the greater interest it would bring to late-season games through machinations that a simple top 10 couldn't provide. Quick example, applying the T6+W4 system to the competition's current standings: Due to results over the first 16 weeks, Hawthorn's wildcard chances are heavily intertwined with the SA teams making the top 6, whereas the Bulldogs and Fremantle's fortunes become reliant on Brisbane maintaining their position in the upper-third.

Talk about the AFL extending finals has obviously increased over the last few years. If they're going to do it, this general concept would be my preference. In fact, I think I like it more than the current top 8 method for reasons previously identified.

Source: Garry Lyon explains it in the video below from 2012 (key discussion begins at 3:25), while Damian Barrett mentions it had been considered by Andrew Demetriou and co. two years earlier.

 

[BEaston]

why

 

[Teen Wolf]

why

Spent most of the OP explaining that:

This proposal addresses criticisms of both the current imbalanced fixture (more chances for teams with harder draws) and the faux-wildcard system which would simply grant 9th and 10th a finals berth. Also, a system based on performance against the better teams blunts any suggestion of rewarding mediocrity.

Another benefit is the greater interest it would bring to late-season games through machinations that a simple top 10 couldn't provide. Quick example, applying the T6+W4 system to the competition's current standings: Due to results over the first 16 weeks, Hawthorn's wildcard chances are heavily intertwined with the SA teams making the top 6, whereas the Bulldogs and Fremantle's fortunes become reliant on Brisbane maintaining their position in the upper-third.

If you can muster the strength to formulate a reasoned multi-word response to any of those points, I'll gladly read it.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Im glad it was only considered

 

[demondavey]

Good OP. So would we be looking at 7v10 then 8v9 pre round one of finals? And how would it work for the winners?

 

[demondavey]

Sorry, I didn’t look at your attachment...

 

[Le Grille]

I think it should be a top 6 myself, 8 if we get two more teams

 

[Taylor]

It would make use of that week off, handing an advantage to finishing top six. The AFL would love a new gimmick round with everything on the line.

 

[kozi]

Under this system a team with a 3 win 19 loss season could make finals.

Hell no.

 

[Art Corvelay]

Just get rid of the bye week ffs. Top 8 is generous enough. AFL’s fascination with all things NFL is annoying.

 

[Taylor]

Under this system a team with a 3 win 19 loss season could make finals.

Hell no.

A team that doesn't beat any of the top six could have won 15 or 16 games, they'd qualify beating up on the lesser sides. This isn't such a problem as it was when GCS and GWS came into the competition and some clubs were advantaged with an extra game and +40 point win over other teams. Those wins aren't really equal to beating Geelong this year.

The AFL has tried to make the ladder more clustered by playing sides in their group more, bringing the top down and pushing the bottom up into this mash of clubs from 6th to 14th.

 

[JezzasOnTheAsphalt]

Don't like any idea at all which involves more than half of the comp qualifying for finals. Should have to have completed a better than average season at the least to make it.

 

[Le Grille]

Just get rid of the bye week ffs. Top 8 is generous enough. AFL’s fascination with all things NFL is annoying.

Not to mention the wildcard works in US leagues due to the fact teams often have better winning records than other division winners. They don’t introduce less successful teams into the playoffs

 

[kozi]

A team that doesn't beat any of the top six could have won 15 or 16 games, they'd qualify beating up on the lesser sides. This isn't such a problem as it was when GCS and GWS came into the competition and some clubs were advantaged with an extra game and +40 point win over other teams. Those wins aren't really equal to beating Geelong this year.

14 wins, 7th on percentage. 1 win against top 6. Misses finals.

2 wins, bottom of the ladder. 2 wins against top 6. Makes finals.

In what universe do the wooden spooners deserve to make finals ahead of a team with 12 (twelve) more wins. I’d love to hear the thinking behind this.

 

[Taylor]

14 wins, 7th on percentage. 1 win against top 6. Misses finals.

2 wins, bottom of the ladder. 2 wins against top 6. Makes finals.

In what universe do the wooden spooners deserve to make finals ahead of a team with 12 (twelve) more wins. I’d love to hear the thinking behind this.

14 wins won a home final last year.

 

[4THAWN]

Does not work in our unbalanced league. How is it fair that for e.g. Port Adelaide gets 9 games throughout the year against "top 6" sides, giving them an opportunity to score 9 points, where as another team may only play top 6 sides 7 times throughout the year, only giving them the opportunity to register 7 wins.

 

[Milanista28]

Get rid of the finals all together meaning 1st is the premier, 34 weeks, 3 points per win and 1 for a draw, Nets behind goals during play for safety and introduce red and yellow cards.

We need a real shake up as the game is dead.

 

[4THAWN]

Get rid of the finals all together meaning 1st is the premier, 34 weeks, 3 points per win and 1 for a draw, Nets behind goals during play for safety and introduce red and yellow cards.

We need a real shake up as the game is dead.

AHAHAAHAH

 

[GuzzLG]

Ridiculous

Top teams have patches of bad form too

A lower side may get to play them at the right time

You can’t correct for everything

 

[kozi]

14 wins won a home final last year.

Drop it back to 12 wins, it’s still 10 whole wins more. I suppose you ignored the main contention because it just dawned on you how ridiculous this whole thing is. Here it is again..

In what universe do the wooden spooners deserve to make finals ahead of a team with 12 (twelve) more wins. I’d love to hear the thinking behind this.

 

[longsuffreosupp]

Does not work in our unbalanced league. How is it fair that for e.g. Port Adelaide gets 9 games throughout the year against "top 6" sides, giving them an opportunity to score 9 points, where as another team may only play top 6 sides 7 times throughout the year, only giving them the opportunity to register 7 wins.

I guess the flip side says that if you're playing less top 6 sides, then you should be better odds of actually getting into the 8, and if you're not then you can only blame yourself.

 

[BF Tiger]

Doesn’t seem fair if a team plays the top 6 or 8 two more times than the team finishing directly above them but qualified that way.

 

[Taylor]

A team

Drop it back to 12 wins, it’s still 10 whole wins more. I suppose you ignored the main contention because it just dawned on you how ridiculous this whole thing is. Here it is again..

I got your point, we can leave a system that has a team win a home qualifying final because they got to beat up on the bottom side twice over another team that played a top six side twice instead because of fear that a bottom placed size might beat a couple of 15+ wins a year sides but nobody else.

 

[Taylor]

Doesn’t seem fair if a team plays the top 6 or 8 two more times than the team finishing directly above them but qualified that way.

Would that team have finished above them if they hadn't played the two less top teams?

 

[mcgarnacle]

Richmond have been this season's downhill skiers by the look of it. I suppose they get a chance to notch some wins against good teams going into the final stretch