Kennett advocates a 30-game season

[one-eyed]

Scrap the NAB Cup: Kennett
3:32:08 PM Mon 5 June, 2006
Sportal for afl.com.au

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has questioned the value of the pre-season NAB Cup competition and has called for the development of what he called a 'true home and away season competition'.

In his weekly column on hawthornfc.com.au, Kennett expressed concern at the number of players who get hurt in the pre-season.

"I have long questioned the value of the pre season knockout competition known today as the NAB Cup. I do not think it is taken seriously by the majority of clubs and is certainly not once a club is knocked out of the competition, when most coaches rest their better or more experienced players and experiment with their younger gladiators," he wrote.

In the article, Kennett advocates a 30-game home-and-away season, which he said would achieve the aims of a truly even competition with every team playing each other at home and away.

He added that more games would mean the AFL can meet its contractual commitments to existing venues, with enough games left over for parts of Australia that are strategically important for the development of the game.

"Add three weeks to the season and you have an equitable season, where every team travels as much as another, where every team plays each other twice, where every game is for premiership points and where the McClelland Trophy is really worth winning and should be worth $1.5m to the winner.

"Yes the season is slightly longer, yes our coaches would have to pace their players, and yes the playing list might have to be slightly larger, but at least you would have a serious and equitable competition.

"The AFL would have added games to ensure we continue to grow our code in the face of increasing competition from other sports and activities," he said.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=271473

[om21]

Got to agree with him 100% behind this move.

[mightytiges]

I can't see the season being expanded to 30 games.

Positives:

* A fair draw with everyone (Vic clubs) travelling interstate the same amount of times.

Negatives:

* Too long a season - late Feb to late Oct. If you're having a shocker it will be a very long long year watching loss after loss for 8 months  .

* Too damanding on the players both per year and with respect to the length of their careers. The game has lost enough stars as it is with 22 rounds. The lists would have to expanded which reduces the quality and the coaches would have to become managers like in soccer and rotate players through the season. Professional Aussie Rules is far more gruelling on the body than other major sports. Gone are the days where the old Escort Cup was played midweek during the season.

* Expanded lists and more games equals more expense for the clubs and supporters. The AFL will get more $$$ from TV rights with more games but for the average supporter they'll have to pay significantly more for membership.