The dilemma the AFL has faced about the future of the pre-season once Gold Coast FC enter the competition in 2011 has been well documented on The Roar.

But yesterday’s proposal by the AFL for the future of the pre-season cup seems a rational solution. As AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan pointed out when he fronted the media on Friday, 17 teams don’t fit easily into the traditional four-week pre-season schedule, so something has to change for the 2011 pre-season.

Many pundits argue the NAB Cup is an irrelevant pre-season kick-about, but for clubs these pre-season matches are an essential part of their preparation for any AFL campaign.

And the AFL clearly want to ensure the pre-season remains a competition with a trophy at the end of it, rather than a bunch of meaningless warm-up games.

Therefore, the key for the AFL is to find a formula which is fair to the clubs, whilst maintaining some semblance of relevance for fans and TV broadcasters.

At yesterday’s media chat, McLachlan revealed a proposal for 18 teams (including Team GWS) to be broken up into six divisions of three for a Twenty20 style first round of matches in 2011, with the six group winners and two next best ranked sides progressing to your typical knockout quarter-finals stage and onto semis and then a Grand Final.

The curious part of the proposal is obviously the first round of matches which would be contested as three condensed games of footy (two 20 minute halves) played over a few hours between three teams at a specific stadium.

As well the involvement of the Greater West Sydney side – who formally join AFL ranks in 2012 – is an interesting idea too.

But their inclusion is important for the pre-season due to the issue of the bye.

As McLachlan acknowledged yesterday the idea of a bye in pre-season would create plenty of headaches for the AFL to decide who misses out.

It seems unlikely any club would willingly put their hand up to sit out the pre-season, especially given the feedback they offered the AFL stating three full pre-season matches of footy was the right amount of preparation. It’s hard to find a fair solution to that problem!

As well Team GWS’s inclusion has been met with plenty of enthusiasm from their coach Kevin Sheedy, showing all parties were satisfied with the agreement.

It certainly will be interesting to witness two brand new teams in the 2011 pre-season.

And for the fans, the concept of three Twenty20-style matches played between three teams over the one night will surely provoke interest and dare I say split opinion.

Maybe it’ll be a fleeting novelty, but it will be interesting to see in action and McLachlan claimed the ‘innovation’ of the idea was in keeping with the AFL’s approach to pre-season.

Nevertheless, there’s sure to be many issues ironed out here, with some clubs asked to play one game, then another ten minutes later, while another team gets an hour-long break, which appears unfair.

Also the issue of where to play the games will need to be worked through.

But all in all, the AFL’s proposal has maintained the interests of the clubs with regard to fairness in preparation which is a key.

Along with that, the proposal provides the fans and TV broadcasters with a tournament which isn’t totally meaningless.

I’m certain the Twenty20 style first round of games will divide opinion, but in the main, the proposal appears the best and most rational solution to an awkward dilemma.

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