Are the AFL fixtures really fair?

Question

The only way to be able to play every team twice is to extend the season, but the season as it is takes a great toll on players. Do we really need more teams? + dont go agro at me Vics, this isnt to offend you + I respect your history but are we really balanced? Are there too many Victorian teams?

Answer 1

I do actually understand Victorians people anger (don't hate me)

If a whole new league had been started with composite teams from all over Australia then I guess they wouldn't have the feeling of the rest of Australia invading their footy, I know that sounds strange coming from a South Aussie but maybe I am strange?

I know it has been a long time since the AFL started but people have supported their Vic teams for a lot longer, it's just in their heart & blood I guess.

So to answer your question, of course there are too many Victorian teams to make it balanced, but... would it be fair or balanced to get rid of any of them?

I don't think so anyway, just my opinion ;)))

Answer 2

no the fixture is not fair

it has favoured the interstate teams ever since the swans went to sydney in 82

Answer 3

Fair or otherwise, one thing is certain, the AFL will "fix" the fixture so it earns it the most money at the gate. If Collingwood don't travel, the club with the biggest membership plays at MCG, and draws the biggest crowds. Sydney is a problem. Get a second side there, and alternate games every Saturday at the Homebush Bay stadium for the biggest possible crowds. It is the other interstate facilities that are too small, and AFL will arrange for clubs with smallest memberships to play interstate, while largest Victorian clubs will play in Melbourne. It's commercial reality.

Answer 4

Every team should play each other once and then have a lottery each week after that to see who plays who, it would only go for a few weeks but would add excitement and would be fair.

Also there are not too many VIC teams, i think there are too many West coast teams, if you add all the Eagles and Dockers wins together this year they would still struggle to make the finals.  

Answer 5

as long as collingwood dont have to leave victoria more than 3 times per season, then all is good. i mean, jeesh they're not superheroes! how can they perform while travelin across the country MORE than 3 times! in only 1 year?! that and ALL the blockbuster matches that they have had to play. its just absolutely hectic, how can they even find the time to rest?

just a lil rant, i hate collingwood. and i totally agree, there are WAY too many vic teams. this is the AFL. yet there are still 10 vic teams in a 16 team competition. i mean honestly, s***w tradition, and get with the times  

Answer 6

Every team plays each other team once, and for the remainder the worst team from the previous season gets the easiest draw (ie against the 9th to 15th) whilst the best team gets the hardest (2nd to 8th), and so on in between.  Last time I looked they did something similar in Gridiron (though you play each team in your division twice as standard, then the remainder are played as described above).  The concept is to give the worse teams a better chance, and to keep the league as exciting for as long as possible.  

Currently the fixtures in AFL seem to revolve around how to make sure Collingwood get as good a run at it as possible, with the bare minimum amount of travel to contend with.  But then I'm a cynic.

Answer 7

To the AFL, fair comes way below $$$$$$$. The teams that make the most money (And one is Collingwood) will stay in Melbourne the most (i have often wondered if Collingwood have a very big Interstate supporter base and if they do, how they feel about being able to watch them play every couple of seasons....)

What I think is ridiculous, is that in the last rounds, teams are playing each other twice in the space of a few weeks. THAT makes no sense to me!

I think that the preseason cup should vanish: If teams want scratch matches, perhaps WA & SA can get together and Vic/NSW/Qld can do same. Extend the home & away games & don't get rid of anyone right now. When the next two teams come in, maybe AFL will be played for 11 months of the year?? With a 4 week break for Xmas & New Year.

Answer 8

No.

They are about as fair as Bl*ck Jacky's bum, at midnight, on a moonless night.

Everything in relation to fairness when it involved fixtures & the AFL is in black & white (excuse the pun) these days.

Answer 9

Maybe we'll end up with a 22 team competition and they'll only have to play each other once!

Wouldn't that be funny?

Answer 10

100% not!

My team the kangas get the hardest teams twice every year!

Answer 11

the fixtures were really messed up this year. We played melbourne twice  before rd10. The AFL could extend the home and away season to 30 rounds so that each team plays each other twice. However that would take too long and with an extra 2 teams being introduced by 2012 the AFL needs to find a more effective draw to make it more fair.

No more victorian teams need to be introduced there is enough.

Answer 12

You have a valid point. I have been saying this for a long time now. Your point about playing each other twice and too many Vic teams are so common knowledge, but The AFL and some footy fans are stuck in their ways. Kill off the Pre-season (Bullsh*t Cup) extend the season, that's one fix.

Reducing the number of Vic teams, is way too hard....but needs to be done.

P.S....To answer your Q......No its not fair. One team only leaves Victoria only 4 times a season, whereas some other Vic teams travell whole lot more.

Answer 13

I agree ! DOWN WITH VICS! Kidding...We seriously dont need more teams ! We have enough already.

Answer 14

I dont really think so, i mean victoria is where the game started isnt it.

But your point on how your judging if the fixtures are fair is a valid one and i agree with it , this year was shocking! some teams would play a tteam then meet them only 6 or 7 weeks later! And some teams didnt get to play teams till round 17, 19 , 20 etc.

It should be more reasonable, every team should play each team in the first 15 or so rounds then it should be determined which teams play eachother again.