TELEVISION viewers will be able to see how far and how fast the game's best runners go in 2018 after the players agreed in principle to make such information public.
After much debate, players have agreed during CBA negotiations for in-game GPS tracking data to be shown during games if broadcasters adhere to certain restrictions on what is publicly revealed.
CBA nearly done as club bosses prepare to meet
AFL.com.au understands players were told during club visits in recent days that the agreement will restrict broadcasters to showing the top five players for distance covered and speed in games.
It will give viewers an indication of the speed zones elite athletes such as Greater Western Sydney's Tom Scully and Fremantle's Bradley Hill operate in during games.
Scully has only been off the ground once in the second half during 2017, starting the fourth quarter of last week's game against St Kilda on the bench, while ex-Hawk Hill is regarded as one of the game's quickest players.
While the details are yet to finalised, AFL.com.au understands the AFLPA would need to provide approval for any information outside the top five players on the ground to be used.
Players were concerned that unfettered use of the information would lead to some players being criticised for their perceived work-rate when the data gathered in GPS tracking devices often needs to be put into context.
There were fears commentators could also use the data to come to a simplistic conclusion as to what has caused a player to have a poor game.
However, the players are understood to have acknowledged that the information would be of interest to television viewers and were prepared to compromise.
The AFLPA has spent the past week visiting players at clubs to explain the finer details of the CBA agreement which is expected to be ratified within the next month.
Adelaide backman Daniel Talia was less than enthused when queried on the prospect of having his tracking data revealed to the public.
"I'm not sure about it," he said on Tuesday at Crows training.
"At full-back, I don't run too much.
"It's an interesting one, it will be another tool for the commentators to talk about. You just don't want the media going on about GPS when it's not as relevant to football as some people think it is.
"It's an interesting concept, but I don't really support it that much."
WHILE it would be a more likely proposition for 2019, the AFL may consider introducing a new fixture format next season.
The Age reports the fixture overhaul, which would involve the draw being programmed for 18 rounds with four concluding games set near the end of the season, would satisfy the AFL Players' request for two in-season byes.
The report suggests various versions to be debated at a meeting in Melbourne this week could see anything from the top six after 18 rounds guaranteed a finals place, while the bottom six play-off for draft advantages.
The middle six would compete for a final position in the finals series.
i was referencing the fact that all previous split models i'd seen were 17/5 splits, not 18/4
Yeah, 18 would be each other once with a bye in there, then another bye before the finals. Covers the 2 byes the AFLPA want.
Im with Benny, i reckon it would be 18 games to lock in the 2nd rivalry match every year and maximise all figures, it certainly wont be about making the comp fair
Supercoach Spring Racing Champion 2019 Spargo's Good Friday Cup Champion 2020
i was referencing the fact that all previous split models i'd seen were 17/5 splits, not 18/4
Yeah, 18 would be each other once with a bye in there, then another bye before the finals. Covers the 2 byes the AFLPA want.
Im with Benny, i reckon it would be 18 games to lock in the 2nd rivalry match every year and maximise all figures, it certainly wont be about making the comp fair
Spot on. There will always be 2 Showdowns, Derbies or whatever you call them
Port vs Crows Lions vs Suns Freo v WCE Syd v GWS would all be locks.
The Victorian rivalries may change from year to year but something like Haw v Geelong Bulldogs v St Kilda Collingwood v Essendon Carlton v Richmond North v Melb
Supercoach Spring Racing Champion 2019 Spargo's Good Friday Cup Champion 2020
But then if you draw your rival in the same group of 6 you'd play them a third time? - Or does the fact your in a group of 6 and only play 4 games mean you're guaranteed not to draw the rival for a third game? And then possibly again in finals? If not twice in finals if you get them in a QF and then GF. 5 games against the same side in a single season?
The 17/5 works well cause you get everyone once, and then the 5 others in your group of 6 once more. 18/4 (assuming there isn't a bye in that 18) is just awkward.
Danny Southern telling Plugga he's fat, I'd like to see that!
Trader wrote:But then if you draw your rival in the same group of 6 you'd play them a third time? - Or does the fact your in a group of 6 and only play 4 games mean you're guaranteed not to draw the rival for a third game? And then possibly again in finals? If not twice in finals if you get them in a QF and then GF. 5 games against the same side in a single season?
The 17/5 works well cause you get everyone once, and then the 5 others in your group of 6 once more. 18/4 (assuming there isn't a bye in that 18) is just awkward.
Yep and so is the 4 games amonst 6 teams
Supercoach Spring Racing Champion 2019 Spargo's Good Friday Cup Champion 2020
daysofourlives wrote:who would be everyones 18th game?
Port vs Crows Lions vs Suns Freo v WCE Syd v GWS would all be locks.
The Victorian rivalries may change from year to year but something like Haw v Geelong Bulldogs v St Kilda Collingwood v Essendon Carlton v Richmond North v Melb
Would be better as no team would have to travel on the final round so the schedule could be locked in from the outset.
Booney wrote:WHILE it would be a more likely proposition for 2019, the AFL may consider introducing a new fixture format next season.
The Age reports the fixture overhaul, which would involve the draw being programmed for 18 rounds with four concluding games set near the end of the season, would satisfy the AFL Players' request for two in-season byes.
The report suggests various versions to be debated at a meeting in Melbourne this week could see anything from the top six after 18 rounds guaranteed a finals place, while the bottom six play-off for draft advantages.
The middle six would compete for a final position in the finals series.
@daysofourlives
I read it as 18 games with a bye in there. Then the last 4 games really is for the bottom 6 to fight over draft picks, the middle 6 to fight over two finals spots as the top 6 have been assured a finals berth.
Would be rubbish this year as 5th to 10th might be one game in it....! 5th gets a finals spot after 18 rounds, could lose all 4, 10th could win the last 4 and "finish" above 5th (?).