bennymacca wrote:I understand North wanting to do this, but what I am pissed off about is that the AFL let them!
The difference between Freo and North is that freo cant affect the finals in any way.
Freo are doing it because it doesnt matter if they win this game or not.
North are doing it because they want to lose this game.
We know north wont be coming to Adelaide to play a final, but playing richmond would be better than the bulldogs for them as well.
Pretty clear difference in intent there.
Both situations make a mockery of the competition though.
I think its time for a week off before the end of the season.
In a competition where stadium deals impact the fortunes of particular clubs more than others, there is a particular issue that the AFL have overlooked when allowing North Melbourne to manipulate the make up of the 8, which as a crows board member/executive/fan- Id be disappointed- Financial incentives for home finals. Kochie quoted a figure of $300,000 on sunrise this morning, which the AFC would have received as a result of hosting a final next weekend. Travel factor and home ground advantage isn't the only reward here, as teams that are good enough will win anywhere.
It's a tough issue to police as teams could easily field full strength sides and lose honourably, and nobody will bat an eyelid.