Colin Garland of Melbourne, Josh Fraser of Collingwood and Mark Jamar of Melbourne react as the final siren sounds to signal a draw during the AFL Round 12 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images
Draws. They happen once or twice a year and leave everybody involved feeling hollow and unfulfilled. Yet they’ve got their place. When the final siren sounded with Melbourne and Collingwood locked on 76 at the MCG yesterday, that foreign feeling returned.
No winner, no loser, no club song. Nobody knows what to do.
Indeed, the inevitable and usual outcries for extra-time following a draw returned again following Monday’s result, with Channel Ten’s One Week At A Time last night leading the calls in favour of the idea.
The argument is the game needs to reach a resolution and extra-time could be employed as a way to find a winner whilst also providing exciting entertainment for the fans, ala the NBA.
Even Melbourne midfielder Brent Moloney joined the chorus for extra-time when he commented post-draw: “For the game, it would be exciting to get a result. I would probably rather five minutes each way to get a result … and get the four points.”
It’s like he was advocating a game of ‘double or nothing’.
But is there really any need for extra-time?
Isn’t it fair, if after 100 minutes of footy two teams can’t be split, then the points should?
It seems to make sense as, after all, a draw is a legitimate resolution.
The problem seems to be it is a resolution which seldom occurs and when it does happen we don’t know how to handle it.
It leaves players, coaches and fans from both sides pondering ‘what if’s’, much like a team does after a narrow defeat? Basically a draw creates widespread heartbreak and all extra-time would essentially do is ensure one of the teams feels a little bit of joy.
That hardly seems fair, if you consider neither side could get the job done after four quarters. Why change the rules for them, just so somebody wins?
Indeed, Melbourne and Collingwood will both look at the ladder on Tuesday and see they’ve got two more points on their respective tallies following the draw. Those extra points could prove very handy later in the season. There’s no shame in a draw.
And the argument that extra-time would make the game more exciting seems unnecessary too.
I, for one, found yesterday’s draw thrilling and the novelty of a tied game made it an exciting and unique event.
Then, of course, there’s the logistical issue of teams who play extra-time having to front up the next weekend. Wouldn’t they then be at a disadvantage having played 10-15 minutes of extra footy the week before?
Indeed, the idea of extra-time seems unnecessary and there’s no need to tamper with the rules of the game. For once, let’s just leave it be.
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