A.F.L Thread

[pasag]

Jade Rawlings announced his retirement today. He is 28, talk about waste of potential.

 

[Jono]

Yeah that's ridiculous.

Michael is thinking about retiring at 29 which is equally odd, but then again he has other goals than football in mind I believe, with regards to PNG and his foundation etc. But still, he has more years left in him if he really wants to play on.

 

[benchmark00]

I have a feeling that Jade was keen to play on, and perhaps got a word that his contract wasn't going to be renewed and got out with his dignity. His knees have been dodgy for a while, and we all know about his trouble with inconsistent form.

 

[pasag]

Heated discussion last night about the merits of cutting down the finals to the top six instead of the top eight.

Although this year would be proof against it, I still think the finals should feature the best teams as opposed to just the better half. And 7th and 8th always suck so I reckon we should get rid of em.

Thoughts.

 

[ash chaulk]

i think it should be increased to 10

anythink can happen when it comes to finals

it could also make the worst teams try and not play for draft pics

 

[Great Birtannia]

Heated discussion last night about the merits of cutting down the finals to the top six instead of the top eight.

Although this year would be proof against it, I still think the finals should feature the best teams as opposed to just the better half. And 7th and 8th always suck so I reckon we should get rid of em.

Thoughts.

If they cut it down it should be a final 5 - that is generally regarded as the best system and gives a much bigger advantage to teams finishing up as minor premier. Right now the top 2 positions are of equal value and even 3rd and 4th if Victorian, Perth or Adelaide teams meet each other in the first week.

I think this season is a good reason to introduce it to be honest. There have only been the two standout sides in West Coast and Adelaide and then a heap of also rans. A final 5 at this point in time would be WC, Adelaide, Melbourne, Fremantle and Sydney which looks a pretty fair reflection on the season to me.

 

[pasag]

Yeah, exactly.

 

[Great Birtannia]

anythink can happen when it comes to finals

Since they changed from the McIntyre system only one team that has finished 7th or 8th has even made it to the preliminary final (Hawthorn 2001 when Port choked up at home). No team has won the premiership from outside the top 4 since the new system was introduced.

It is however a fairly pointless argument as the AFL will not change the current system as it means less matches and thus less revenue for the coffers.

 

[vic_orthdox]

i think it should be increased to 10

anythink can happen when it comes to finals

it could also make the worst teams try and not play for draft pics

I agree with Great Birtannia, but in a weird way, ash chaulk's suggestion has some merits...

In the end, however, I think there's too much revenue to be created from a Final 8 for there ever to be a reduction in the amount of sides playing finals.

 

[benchmark00]

The top eight is clearly the best system for a 16 team competition.

 

[Jono]

I like the top 8 system at the moment. I understand the arguments about cutting it down, but honestly if the Doggies had made the top 8 last year, they would have caused some real damage. As has already been said, anything can happen in finals and whilst dominating throughout the season should be rewarded (and is IMO, its just that if you're Victorian it ain't that big a reward), if you can't handle the pressure in September despite dominating that's your fault. And if a team like Adelaide in 98, or Hawthorn in 2001 can go very far, and in Adelaide's case, win the whole damn thing from a low position, all the better. Makes things more unpredictable.

This year is different though IMO. Every team could cause damage in the finals. Different to previous years.

 

[Linda]

ROUND 21

Bulldogs v St Kilda
Geelong v Melbourne
Hawthorn v Kangaroos
Richmond v Essendon
Sydney v Brisbane Lions
Port v Adelaide
Collingwood v Carlton
West Coast v Fremantle.... omygod, Im that excited I cant speak, MASSIVE!

 

[Buddhmaster]

Bulldogs v St Kilda
Geelong v Melbourne
Hawthorn v Kangaroos
Richmond v Essendon
Sydney v Brisbane Lions
Port v Adelaide
Collingwood v Carlton
West Coast v Fremantle - I have no idea

 

[ash chaulk]

Bulldogs
Geelong
Hawthorn
Richmond
Sydney
Adelaide
Collingwood
West Coast v Fremantle DRAW

 

[benchmark00]

Bulldogs v St Kilda
Geelong v Melbourne
Hawthorn v Kangaroos
Richmond v Essendon
Sydney v Brisbane Lions
Port v Adelaide
Collingwood v Carlton
West Coast v Fremantle

 

[benchmark00]

West Coast v Fremantle DRAW

You get the point if it's a draw anyway, so that's pointless.

 

[ash chaulk]

but you shouldnt cos you havent picked the draw

 

[benchmark00]

but you shouldnt cos you havent picked the draw

I agree, but McKern is running it the other way.

 

[ash chaulk]

what a n00b

eagles vs dockers - eagles

 

[Hoggy31]

Bulldogs v St Kilda - Saints
Geelong v Melbourne - Dees
Hawthorn v Kangaroos - Roos
Richmond v Essendon - Dons
Sydney v Brisbane Lions - Swans
Port v Adelaide - Crows
Collingwood v Carlton - Pies
West Coast v Fremantle - Freo