14 teams?

[Benchwarmer]

It seems as though safooty.net needs to provide some thoughts for the AFL heirarchy to ponder. The draw is uneven and we need them to bite the bullet and say "it's time for two less Victorian clubs".

This decision would give us 14 clubs and the opportunity to go to 26 rounds (two complete rounds which would give us as a return to an even draw - the first time since 1986).

I must stress that if teams were to merge, then they would continue in the VFL under their old name. For example, if Melbourne and St. Kilda merged as the 'Melbourne Saints', then Melbourne and St. Kilda would be safeguarded as members of the VFL for a specified (10-20 years?) period of time.

The question is who should merge or drop to the VFL?

Or am I going over the top?

[smac]

I think most people would support fewer Melbourne teams ("so long as it's not my team" would be the cry).

The AFL get more cash from TV for more teams and I reckon a reduction will never happen - they are used to the big $$ now.

Relocation will be the solution to number of Melbourne based teams - this should get rid of some of the inadequacies of the current draw, if they schedule Collingwood and Essendon (for example) to play out of Melbourne more than they currently do.

[JK]

Two mergers and 1 interstate reolcation gives an equal balance of interstate and Victorian clubs ... Can't see that happening in a hurry though.

Would sympathise with supporters of any team that was to merge or relocate against their will.

[Dirko]

Relocate a couple of teams...

IMO. Hawks to Tassie. Roos to the Gold Coast.

Have a 16 team comp but have it so each team playes each other home AND away...

[Rik E Boy]

You missed out an option.

Piss off any team that has to sell home games to Brisbane and Sydney. See you later Bulldogs and Demons.

Cheers,

REB

[Dutchy]

and whats wrong with the way things are now?

[Aerie]

and whats wrong with the way things are now?

My biggest gripe is the unfair fixture, the pre-planned blockbusters (i.e. Crows vs Power must play twice, Coll vs Ess etc.) and the selling of home games to the oppositions advantage (i.e. Melbourne v Brisbane at the Gabba). I'm not against the Bulldogs in Darwin, Hawks in Tassie or North at the Gold Coast playing 3-4 home games a year.

This could be fixed if the conference system was set up. i.e. odds in one group and evens in another based on previous years results. Each group plays their own conference twice and the other conference once. Nothing much would change, but at least we'd have as fair fixture as you could have without everyone playing each other twice (or once). You could still have the same ladder system and 22 rounds.

I'd also change the draft system so the bottom 8 clubs go in a lottery to get the picks.

If any clubs are struggling financially to stay afloat and the competition is being compromised to keep them in, then it's time to make a hard choice and either relocate, merge, put back to VFL etc. 14 teams and 26 rounds would be the ideal scenario.

[Wedgie]

Where's the option for 18 or 20?
One of those would be my choice.

[Hondo]

It should be less teams in Victoria and overall

However the TV rights deal locks in 8 games per week and I can't see this changing next time the TV deal is done

If anything, given the reluctance of Victorian clubs to relocate, I think Wedgie might be OTM and the number of teams will increase in time

[redden whites]

Where is the Adelaide and Port merge box i could not find it?

[Psyber]

It seems as though safooty.net needs to provide some thoughts for the AFL heirarchy to ponder. The draw is uneven and we need them to bite the bullet and say "it's time for two less Victorian clubs".

This decision would give us 14 clubs and the opportunity to go to 26 rounds (two complete rounds which would give us as a return to an even draw - the first time since 1986).

I must stress that if teams were to merge, then they would continue in the VFL under their old name. For example, if Melbourne and St. Kilda merged as the 'Melbourne Saints', then Melbourne and St. Kilda would be safeguarded as members of the VFL for a specified (10-20 years?) period of time.

The question is who should merge or drop to the VFL?

Or am I going over the top?

It's time for 6 less Victorian clubs!!

[Benchwarmer]

Wedgie, I could see the AFL do that ... and we'd have so many more below standard sides in an 18 or 20 team competition than we have now.

Then again, your H & A season would have to be 17 or 19 rounds!