Ben Buckley from http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/10/25/1161749190336.html
■Ladder positions after round 22 from this year were used to determine which teams clubs would meet twice. Previously, logistics demanded that ladder positions after round 15 were used.
This is a contradiction.
Let’s face it, the AFL is just one big contradiction after another. These people don’t know how to leave things well alone, so they just leave themselves open to greater criticism.
They try to create this level playing field, which, under the circumstances, would seem impossible to do. I think the majority of people could accept if the fixture was a random ‘draw’, instead of the seemingly contrived system currently in place. The more they try to manipulate things, the greater the flaws and the more uneven things become. Somehow, I don't think they care.
If things are going to be this way then why do they insist on doing one thing and saying another?
For example, they say that the draw is intended to maximise attendances.
Sounds like a plan. I wish one of them would answer me this though. If the AFL really does want to maximise attendances then why does Richmond play Geelong in a sardine can, thereby prohibiting upwards of 15,000 supporters from seeing the game? I’ve been to Richmond/Geelong games where the crowds have been in excess of 70,000, but they insist on shoe horning 23,000 people into a shoe box and then try to tell me that the AFL want to maximise crowds.
Clearly, the motivation for this has nothing to do with maximising crowds, but everything to do with filling the Geelong coffers. It’s their home game and they can do what they like, but don’t then try and tell people that the AFL draw is about maximising crowds when clearly the motivation behind the fixture, and indeed any decision the AFL makes, is MONEY.
Then they try and tell you that tv doesn’t control the AFL draw. Not much it doesn’t.
No, of course not, that’s why they’ve suddenly introduced ‘twit like’ games, scheduled at stupid o'clock, which are oh so conveniently scheduled for those who want to go to games. Maximising crowds my foot.
The best thing the AFL can do is just say nothing. Better for people to just think you’re stupid, rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt. I should know.
