Replay rule here to stay: AFLBy Jennifer Witham
Sun 26 Sep, 2010THE AFL will not introduce extra time for drawn grand finals, CEO Andrew Demetriou said on Sunday.
St Kilda and Collingwood drew 68-apiece on Saturday afternoon, forcing an administrative scramble as the League prepares to stage only the third grand final replay in VFL/AFL history.
Broadcasters Channel 7 requested a twilight or night replay but Demetriou said it “wasn’t the right time to experiment” with changing the game’s start time.
Demetriou said it was important to maintain the game's uniqueness and avoid a knee-jerk reaction to Saturday’s draw.
"The AFL is of the view that a drawn grand final is a significant part of our game, and part of what makes our sport ... so unique,” he said on Sunday morning.
"All clubs, players, fans and supporters are aware that we will always replay a drawn grand final.
“We have done our best not to follow other sports.
“Since 1897 there have only been 146 draws in the competition with just three in grand finals.
“For anyone there yesterday, I don’t think they will forget the experience of being at the grand final."
Demetriou said the AFL would ratify a rule by close of business on Monday to prevent the teams from drawing again next week. Extra time will be played if the replay also ends in a draw.
“It would be a really huge ask to ask the clubs to come back again a week later,” he said.
“There are people that have made plans for this week and next, other sporting organisations.
“We understand the VRC will be moving the Turnbull Stakes to Sunday, there’s a world cycling event next Saturday afternoon, there’s the Melbourne Heart/Melbourne Victory derby on Saturday night.
“We certainly don’t want to be disrupting too many other codes.”
Up to 16,000 further tickets will be made available to Collingwood and St Kilda members for the replay, on top of the 25,000 already allocated.
“This week gives us an opportunity to get more members in, and we’re pleased with that,” Demetriou said.
“We’ve had a debate already about whether all members will take up the offer - I hope they do, but if they don’t, the tickets will go on public sale.”
The AFL said it would put profits from the replay back into the game and its development.
The clubs will also be compensated for the cancellation of functions and players will be rewarded for participation in another match.
Pre-game entertainment for the replay is yet to be determined, and the City of Melbourne is cooperating with the AFL in securing the continuation of a live site.
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