Demetriou wants the season to start earlier to combat other codes (afl site)

[one-eyed]

AFL may re-jig opening round to combat rival codes
By Michael Whiting
afl.com.au
Tuesday, March 26, 2013

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou says the League is open to tinkering with the opening round

THE AFL may re-jig its opening round fixtures in future years to try to combat the earlier starts of rival codes, League chief Andrew Demetriou says.

Speaking at Gold Coast's season launch on Tuesday, Demetriou said he was concerned by the free hit the NRL, Super Rugby and concluding stages of soccer's A-League got before the AFL fired a shot.

He said it was particularly difficult for the two teams in Queensland (Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast) and the two in NSW (Sydney Swans and GWS) to generate publicity when the other codes were up and running.

"I don't think it's sustainable for our competition to be starting the season when we start it," Demetriou said.

"We are four weeks behind the NRL and Super 15 and end of the A-League. It makes it hard for the two clubs in this town and in NSW to generate any oxygen when we're doing that.

"That's a decision we have to think about very seriously and we have to do something about it."

Much like Cricket Victoria's current agreement with the MCG, Queensland Cricket also has ties with the Gabba that restricts AFL being played there before the end of March.

Demetriou said this should not stop some lateral thinking.

He said the AFL was not averse to staggering the start of the season, as it has this year, with up to three or four games not using cricket grounds.

"We've got Metricon available," he said.

"You could play away from the Gabba, play them as away games. I think if we start to think about bringing the season forward earlier, thinking more laterally about it with the unavailability of stadia, we shouldn't close our mind to that."

Demetriou said the structure of the season would be debated at the end of the year and would include the make-up of the pre-season competition.

"What shape and form that takes to give it some credibility we have to consider," he said.

"We always said for the first two years of this broadcast rights agreement we'd leave the system the way it is, 18 teams and 22 weeks, but at the end of this year we'll review how that looks and see if we can do things differently."

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/membership-totals-2013.982304/page-50

[one-eyed]

Support for double bye and 24-round season gathers momentum

    Glenn McFarlane
    From: Herald Sun
    June 19, 2013 10:00PM

A PUSH to introduce a 24-round season with two byes for each club next year has gained momentum, as the AFL Commission prepares to rule on its preferred fixturing option next month.

The AFL asked the 18 clubs last month for feedback on a range of possible fixturing structures.

It is understood the response from a number of clubs - as well as the AFL Players' Association - has been in strong support for granting each club two byes, largely because of player welfare issues.

AFL general manager of broadcasting, scheduling and legal affairs, Simon Lethlean, said yesterday the league was working through the responses.

But he confirmed the two-bye structure had garnered solid support.

However, Lethlean stressed there were still a number of options on the table.

"We have sought the views of our major partners - the players and the clubs - and we are now reviewing those responses," Lethlean said.

"One of the questions was about their preference for the home-and-away structure and their thoughts on a second bye.

"We haven't digested all their responses. We have had an initial conversation with the commission and the commission has given us the endorsement to go away and review those comments.

"There is certainly feedback from (some) clubs that they would like a second bye."

The AFL Commission will rule on the make-up of next year's season at its meeting in mid-July, and the prospect of 24 rounds is considered a realistic option.

One problem that has complicated previous attempts to start the AFL season earlier has been the contractual obligations to cricket at the MCG and the Gabba in Brisbane.

But the AFL would have access to Etihad Stadium, Simonds Stadium in Geelong, Subiaco and the Adelaide Oval from mid-March to potentially start the season a week earlier.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/support-for-double-bye-and-24-round-season-gathers-momentum/story-fnelctok-1226666515746#mm-breached

[(•))(©™]

...and the public want him stood down.

[gerkin greg]

I want him turned into pâté and his carcass used as a prop in one of Ramps' Big Greek pornos

[Hellenic Tiger]

I want him turned into pâté and his carcass used as a prop in one of Ramps' Big Greek pornos

If he grows the mo from his playing days he might get a starring role as a pillow biter.