Hondo wrote:Gadj I think you're right. 2 divisions will (may) make it LOOK more even. In reality though it will be no more even or uneven than it is now. Arguably it would be even more contrived. I hate the American style divisional systems.
All 2 divisions would do is make some of the fans feel that the AFL has less chance of manipulating the draw to suit themselves.
Despite the fact that the 2 divisions would be set up to manipulate attendances AND subject to change whenever the AFL want. So what are we really achieving with it?
It
could be a fairer draw but again, I doubt the AFL will be 'up' for it.
Say the comp is 2 divs of 9. And 1 div is (in alpha order for the sake of the exercise);
Adel
Bris
Carl
Coll
Ess
Freo
Geel
GCS
GWS
And the comp is for 25 weeks (say). And finals week 1 is derived by Div 1 4th vs Div 2 3rd, Div 1 3rd vs Div 2 4th, Div 1 2nd vs Div 2 1st and Div 1 1st vs Div 2 2nd.
Each team could play each other in their div twice (one home, one away) - totalling 16 games. The other 9 games would be against the other div (home and away rotating basis). Adel would therefore play a min of 12, and up to 14 home games out of 25 (8 home against their own div, 8 away against their own div and then 4 or 5 home against the other div, or 6 if it's Adel home game v Port).
Carl, Collingwood, Ess and Geelong would play interstate 5 times before going to their inter-divisional games (WC, Syd, Port). Therefore they could play 8 away games each year.
Overall you'd have a better feel for where you sit in your own div at least, given that you've played each other home and away once each. As it is, who knows where you stand, given you don't play teams in order any more. Coaches used to say that they never really know where they stood till round 15. Now that's not even an guide.
I think if we get to a scenario where we have 20 teams, we'll see the two divs come in for sure whether we like it or not.
There are some benefits to be made, but I really don't think the AFL would do it for the general punters wants and needs - they haven't in the past. (maybe better tv rights if Coll, Ess etc are really successful and play interstate?? I dunno).