Rik E Boy wrote:Seriously the NAB's gotta go. The pre-season competition is an anachronism in the current game. The clubs are still going to play an internal trial and an external trial anyway so let's piss off this competition that provides a lukewarm start to the football season. A lukewarm start to the year that takes place while the NRL has already started playing its real rounds. The AFL is giving the NRL this free kick every season.
We should extend the draw by an extra four rounds to assist with the equalisation of the draw and at the same time deservedly knock Rugby League on its arse every March. The money that is awarded as prizemoney should be pumped into grassroots football and extra bums on seats during real football rounds in March is the the reward for the highest level of the game.
Not exactly rocket surgery is it my friends?
regards,
REB
I'll give you the boring straight bat answer:
Yes, the extra cash from an extra sponsor partner is important. Very important.
It enables those clubs down the bottom end who take it very seriously (whomever they may be in a particular year) to sell a bit of hope to supporters with a good start.
It actually enables clubs to experiment against other teams because rookie list players are allowed to play here, when otherwise not allowed to play. Thing all those names like Marty Clarke etc who all come off rookie lists every year.
Different rules can be tried and tested. (I'm talking the serious ones here that work and do get introduced, such as ruck rule to reduce injuries, mark inside goal square and no angle etc; not the sponsor ones such as 9pt goals, which are basically a point of difference).
It enables the AFL to play games at venues like Cairns, Darwin, Canberra etc who don't normally host games. When these venues are guaranteed a couple of games, state and local govts kick money into things like lights facilities etc to lure the AFL games and that benefits the local comps who use these venues 26 weeks a year, compared to the AFL's 1-2 games.
It enables the AFL to force clubs (they certainly don't go willingly) to play at venues next year like Noarlunga, Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury, Narrandera etc for practice games. Those places certainly never get to see these clubs otherwise, and they usually end up as autograph signing sessions. Those venues too all get upgraded, usually with their surface, which benefits the local area associations who use them as showpiece grounds.
AFL isn't allowed to play any earlier than March, for its regular season competition, because Vic govt legislation doesn't allow access to the MCG, and cricket also has date rights over the Gabba, MCG, SCG etc for Feb and March. Most footy clubs in Victoria are actually prohibited from using ovals if a cricket club is there, until a set date of the year.
Plus, until this year, Geelong's pre-season win at AAMI in 06 over the Cats was all I had to hold onto in terms of an actual cup.
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:37 pm
