Do you think the Under 18s comp will go to a final 8?

[spell_check]

Considering the TAC cup and their rationale behind the final 12?

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page ... onID=59337

[Pseudo]

Considering the TAC cup and their rationale behind the final 12?

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page ... onID=59337

Depends. What do the AFL overlords want?

[Brucetiki]

my head hurts reading that format

[bayman]

Considering the TAC cup and their rationale behind the final 12?

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page ... onID=59337

Depends. What do the AFL overlords want?

spot on 500% pseudo

[Squawk]

Cor Blimey. Brings a new meaning to the concept of an "Elimination Final".

[StrayDog]

"Clubs with APS/AGS students lose ground during the home and away season with so many of their players unavailable.
As a result those clubs find it hard to make up ground when its private school players return and their ladder standing consequently does not accurately reflect their true position. "

Presumably they believe the resultant regular season disparity to be so great as to dramatically increase the likelihood that the "worthy winner" would come from one of the lower ranked sides. Might be interesting to see if they're right.

As for.....

"Primarily, it will provide an opportunity for more players, especially metropolitan TAC Cup clubs with so many private school boys, to showcase their talent under finals conditions and pressure.

"History tells us that a good finals performance can enhance a player’s prospects of being selected in the AFL National Draft.
It can be considered as important as a performance in the AFL Under 18 National Championships."

.....you could be forgiven for feeling a bit short changed if, with their "reasons", you happened to play for the bottom side if you felt your club's "true position" wasn't "accurately reflected".

FWIW, given the example of the TAC Cup's 13 teams, I can see no real reason they couldn't have gone to, for example, a 14 match / five week series (top 3 with the first week off.) Just cut the regular season (currently 17 rounds) to suit the schedule.

Whatever the setting either go all the way, do it properly, or not at all. Weird concept I realise.

[HeartBeatsTrue]

So basically the top 4 play each other in a trial game before playing knockout finals.

[Mutley]

Or perhaps place the TAC Cup competition ahead of college footy as the priority. Why does the elite under 18 comp modify their structure to fit around school footy? what is best for the development of the individual? As a wise man once said - "the dog is running the houshold!"

[Hopeful Jelly]

So basically the top 4 play each other in a trial game before playing knockout finals.

Yes, it doesn't really give much incentive to win that first game if they are then playing an elimination game the next week anyway. Sure they will play a lower-ranked team if winning the first week, but if the premiership table at the end of the minor does not accurately reflect the true position of teams then why try to win if you might play a "better" team.

They should just give the top four teams the first week off then let them choose who they want to play from the remaining four, with the top team choosing first.