Fixture split over the bye week/s

[westozfalcon]

I don't understand the logic behind having 6 games one weekend and 2 the next over the mid-season break.

Personally I'd prefer an even 4-4 fixture split so there's at least a few games on each of the two weekends. Having only 2 games this week just feels a bit empty.

I'd sooner have a complete footy-free weekend than have just 2 games.

[spell_check]

It's good for the SANFL and WAFL to have it the current way.

[mighty_tiger_79]

It's good for the SANFL and WAFL to have it the current way.

agree with that

but in relation to the post

friday night
sat arvo
sat night
sunday

[Mr66]

Having a 4-4 spilit is waaaaaay too sensible for the AFL.

[Dirko]

It's good for the SANFL and WAFL to have it the current way.

How so ? Port played last week, Adelaide this week. No real disadvantage to the SANFL.

Get the AFL to program both Port & Adelaide at night (one home/one away) and no drama's....

The VFL are pushing for numbers in Melbourne today...

[stan]

Yes I would like to ask the question about why its not 4 and 4. You have a game friday night, saturday , saturday night and sunday. Foxtel has the saturday games and what would work.

[hearts on fire]

It should be spread out evenly four week one and four week two.

At the moment, it's just crap!

[rod_rooster]

The "other" option is a bit strange. Isn't that voting for 5 one week and 3 the other? Not any more options are there? Either way good thread and it is quite obvious the majority would like a 4 - 4 split.

[NFC]

Friday night
Saturday arvo
Saturday night
Sunday arvo

REPEAT

[THE BARKING SPIDERS]

why do the afl need to have a split round anyway?

[Hondo]

why do the afl need to have a split round anyway?

I believe the clubs want it to rest players

May even be part of the collective bargaining with the players association?

Every club official I have heard interviewed over the last 2 weeks has said the break is invaluable and they would like 2 weeks off every season.

[rogernumber10]

8-0, 7-1, 6-2, 5-3 and 4-4 splits have all been used over the split round within the last seven years of AFL footy, with 6-2 as the final answer. the reasons are public and can be re-typed if anyone wants a long post to read.

[Dirko]

8-0, 7-1, 6-2, 5-3 and 4-4 splits have all been used over the split round within the last seven years of AFL footy, with 6-2 as the final answer. the reasons are public and can be re-typed if anyone wants a long post to read.

Yes please, or you can just PM it to me if no other posters ant to know....

Very interested in the way of thinking....

[Thiele]

i would like to know as well

[rogernumber10]

Long post coming up, for those who don't like long ones, so here goes:

Since 2002, the AFL has used an 8-0, 7-1, 6-2, 5-3 and 4-4 split for the split round at least once each, and settled on 6-2 as its best option. The key views it weighs up has been the clubs, the players, the broadcasters, public response and what the AFL itself wants to achieve. There is no single version of the split round that is supported by all the different groups, as each have pros and cons.

What is taken as a given is that the competition must have a split round, because of the demands on the players in terms of recovering from little injuries etc. AFL wants the split round two months or so from the finals, to allow clubs in finals contention primarily to have a recharge and prime for September. Some broadcasters and probably many fans would favour no split round at all, but it's taken as a given that we must have one, otherwise many players would miss games at some point.

8-0 - Most favoured by clubs. All clubs have break at the same week, so no argument that some clubs have different level rests before / after key meetings. All club staff can go on leave for a couple of days etc, not worrying about scouting other teams they are coming up to play.
Players don't mind, as long as they get a break.
Least favoured by all broadcasters as no football whatsoever and breaks broadcast schedules.
AFL view is that it worked extremely well for all levels below AFL footy - they can promote one week of the year as return to your local footy etc - and had a good spike in attendances when footy resumes, but lots of complaints too.
Media interest in northern states can be difficult to rebuild after a total non-week, and that is a negative.

7-1 - Majority of clubs have break at the same time, so supported by them, as outlined above.
Players happy to get break.
Broadcaster with the one game thinks its great (feature match in Sydney) but other broadcast partners strongly opposed because one partner gets a ratings leg-up and they have no footy.
Most supporters confused and unhappy, because one match only in the second week, no Friday night football, no Saturday day.
AFL view is that works extremely well for showcase match in Sydney at Olympic Stadium, but causes enormous broadcast confusion.
Media interest slows, but easier to re-start with one match still played, and strong focus up north.

6-2 - Clubs not in favour, because different breaks for teams after the split.
Players happy with break at any time.
Free to air broadcasters supportive of this option as best. prime time Friday night and Saturday night maintained over two weeks.
Pay tv opposed as they get no matches in one week.
Media interest doesn't really slow, so works for other media partners.
AFL has to try and ensure that either the WA or SA teams are split over the two weeks, with focus game still in NSW. Use this version to play long-haul games in Darwin and Gold Coast before break, to give teams best use of recovery time.
Works very well for venues because high-traffic grounds like MCG and Telstra Dome get two weeks to rest surfaces, and do maintenance work.
Lower leagues supportive of a complete Saturday and Sunday free in Victoria to promote their games on a one-week basis.
All up, despite various opposition, with key opponent of pay tv, AFL goes this option.

5-3 - Clubs strongly opposed, because of splits in preparation times for following games.
Players happy.
Media interest never slows, so that works still.
All broadcasters opposed. Disruption in schedules across all states impacts strongly on them, as some states have the spare Sunday, or spare Saturday etc.
AFL view is that confusion among supporters on who playing and who resting.

4 -4 Clubs most strongly opposed all options.
Players supportive.
Media interest maintained, so that works.
Broadcasters strongly opposed. Schedules are disrupted heavility.
AFL view is that no real break to the season.

All up, no version is universally supported. 6-2 is seen as the best of those available, because there is a key focus on one Saturday match in northern australia for promotional purposes, while an extra Friday night option is available in prime time. Lower leagues get one week to push their comps hard, knowing they have no AFL competition. Challenge in WA and SA is to ensure on alternate years that their teams are split, and not both having the bye in the same week. In 2007, the WA teams played on separate weeks of the split round. In 2008, the SA teams played on separate weeks of the split round.

[THE BARKING SPIDERS]

what do the afl do as a split round in 2012 or 2014 when its an 18 team comp?
6-3, 7-2 or 5-4

[gadj1976]

Make it 4 & 4

Friday night
Saturday
Saturday night
Sunday

How simple?!

One thought - why isn't the fixture aligned so that Sydney play Geelong this week? They come off a week break vs Hawthorn & Freo respectively coming off two weeks. Adelaide and Collingwood are at least playing each other which is good, but why not Geelong and Sydney?