AFLX 2019 revamp, date, franchise players picking teams, Rugby Sevens style formatSeptember 18, 2018 4:24pm
Tom Morris
FOX SPORTSAFLX is set to undergo a major revamp in 2019 and become a Rugby Sevens style carnival on one action-packed day at Etihad Stadium.
Foxfooty.com.au has learned the four-team tournament has been floated for Friday February 22 at Docklands, with four teams to play three games each before a Grand Final.
Each side would be captained by an AFL ‘franchise player’ such as Scott Pendlebury or Patrick Dangerfield.
Each of these skippers could get the opportunity to pick their own teams via a live draft in the lead-up to the event, which was three days earlier this year.
It’s understood the proposal for a daylong carnival was put to the competition committee at their recent meeting and has received a warm response from clubs and players and the competition committee itself. Key details are still being worked through.
There was a discussion at meeting in July as well, before AFL project manager David Stevenson went away for further planning. Stevenson is overseeing the concept and it is unlikely anything will be formally locked in until November.
It remains to be seen how the AFL would fund the tournament given players could ask for payment for a day’s work. Clubs would also need to be convinced, although their resources would not be as stretched if the carnival takes on a franchise-style set up as looks the most likely scenario.
The league is keen to pursue AFLX as a concept but wary of the fallout following the inaugural version earlier this year. Held over three days, clubs essentially just used the tournament to blood young players.
There were three premiers in early February, with Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane winning their three respective pools. It was broadcast live on Fox Footy.
A one-day event with four superstars of the game acting as captains and list managers would create additional interest.
It would also have less of an impact on the AFLW season, which has been extended by a week for 2019.
AFLX is played on a rectangular field with seven players on the field and three on the bench for each team. It includes 10-point super goals and a last touch out of bounds rule.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/aflx-to-undergo-major-rugby-sevens-style-revamp-with-franchise-players-to-pick-their-own-teams/news-story/67589eecbe36aac233bfca4bbca6adf1
