An Auskick participant shows his emotion after not getting to present a premiership medal, after a draw in the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at the MCG, Melbourne.
It may be “unique” to the Australian game, but the AFL’s grand final replay rule is an archaic remnant from its VFL days that has no place in a national competition.
And the “unique” tag seems to be one of the few justifications supporters of the rule are using, that along with the their own selfish reasons, be it another grand final barbeque or more footy on the weekend.
But supporters of the replay rule need to consider those directly impacted by the draw: the players and clubs who were left void by the prospect of an inconclusive match and having to go through another grand final week (see Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell’s comments), and, just as importantly considering they are increasingly forgotten, the fans who attended the grand final last Saturday.
On the latter point, think for a moment of those fans that were the lucky few to get a ticket to the match. Imagine if that is the only opportunity they have to attend a grand final and they will be deprived of experiencing the full spectrum of emotions of the day, be they good or bad.
The argument that the replay now opens up grand final access to fans that otherwise wouldn’t have made it ignorantly forget those who went last Saturday (and may miss this Saturday ‘cause the 50-1 draw came to fruition) and the fact that those “underprivileged” fans miss out on the original grand final year after year.
Having gone through the hassle and effort to acquire grand final tickets a few years ago, I can only imagine the frustration of not seeing a result on the day and trudging back to South Australia knowing I would have to fork out another small fortune on hotels, flights and tickets to go back and see the concluding act.
And herein lies the major flaw with the replay rule.
These aren’t the days of the VFL when the competition existed solely in Melbourne’s suburbs. It’s a national competition, with a fan base that now stretches across the country.
It may be well and good for those who are a train stop or two away from the MCG, but it severely disadvantages those outside of Victoria, and if the AFL is going to truly live up to its national status, then it needs to rid itself of its VFL vestiges and Victorian-centric attitude.
And what if a non-Victorian club was involved?
A West Australian club, for example, would obviously be heavily disadvantaged by a grand final replay; having to either make the return trip to and from Perth or decamping in Melbourne for the week. Whether it is homesickness, travel fatigue or the financial considerations of paying accommodation for a squad and staff, there would be a definite disadvantage to a non-Victorian club.
Again, there is an inherent flaw with this system in a national competition, and its the fairness for the participants and spectators that is compromised.
But what was most frustrating watching the saga unfold was the fact everything was in place for a continuation of the intense drama of the day and a conclusion to the match.
The actors were in place as were the fans and television audience, and they (in the main) wanted a conclusion.
Everything was in place to keep going – to decide the premiership when it should be decided, on the final Saturday in September.
Extra time doesn’t unfairly disadvantage one particularly club over another.
It means the team with the momentum can continue with it into the additional period. Instead they must restart next week, back at square one.
No one should have begrudged St Kilda a possible win in extra time – should they have continued their comeback into the extra period. They had bravery kept Collingwood within striking distance and fought back into a potential winning position.
With that “empty feeling” for both clubs, why then should everything be packed up only to return the following week and do it all again, with all the additional logistical headaches for clubs, players, fans and the league?
There is obviously no fundamental issue with extra time for the AFL has instigated a five-minute each half period should this weekend’s second grand final (should it have it’s own name: Act II, The Sequel, “The Empire Strikes Back”?) end in a draw.
Extra time is already written into the rules of the rest of the AFL finals series. And the AFL wasted no time in instigating it for next weekend’s match.
So why is it unacceptable after 120 minutes and four quarters but suddenly acceptable after 240 minutes and eight quarters?
Because there is an antiquated rule “unique” to the AFL, that’s why.
So much of the modern game of AFL has evolved and modernised, including how the game is played with constant tinkering with the rules forcing a rethink of a coach’s playbook, and yet it is prepared to hold on to this rule despite the wave of criticism.
It’s rare occurrence, yes, but this is no justification for the rule in itself (the “it has only happened three times in over a hundred years so why change it” argument).
It does happen, as we’ve seen, and the AFL should be thankful it didn’t happen in those closely fought finals between West Coast and Sydney, for the outrage of both sets of interstate fans would have been deafening.
That’s when the rule should have been changed – when the interstate clubs were in a premiership contention and the AFL matured into a national competition.
And the draw and replay rule, having occurred so infrequently, is mystifyingly revered by its supporters. Tradition or not, what is it about the rule that needs to be protected when it has an obvious unfairness?
The AFL is already a unique competition, without the replay rule.
Even the FA Cup, which has stuck so stringently to its traditions, instigated extra time and penalties for its final so it is decided on that one day in May, one way or another.
Another argument, that the team who lost in extra time would feel unjustly robbed of a premiership is flawed.
I’d imagine they would feel the same anger and hurt as they’ll feel when they lose this coming Saturday, but maybe with an even heavier hurt considering their expectations have fostered for an extra seven days.
The contest needs a winner. There’s a premiership at stake, which should be decided on the day – just one day!
Practicality must come into the AFL’s calculations when they review the rule.
There should also be a gentleman’s agreement or recognition from the AFL that the September-October calendar is heavily congested with various finals and the commencement of the spring and summer sporting events, and with that in mind it should only take up one weekend for its grand final.
Already fans are linking the AFL’s staunch support of the replay rule with the financial windfall of a second grand final. They should be careful for the league’s reputation, on this and its aggressive posturing toward other codes, is being hurt.
Ultimately, there’s no place for a grand final replay in a modern, national AFL competition.
It’s no longer the VFL. Time to move on and modernise.
Jimbobogie
Guest
Just wondering-how many international viewers who (in North America for example) stay up in the middle of the night to watch what amounts to a "Nothing" game are going to stay up all night to watch the replay-if their network provider even supplies coverage of the replay. Now that the AFL extends from Brisbane to Perth, this is a class-action lawsuit waiting to happen.
Mister Football
Guest
I honestly doubt that any of that is correct.
DD
Guest
If I were in the MCG for this game, I would want first dibs on tickets to the rematch. Just wondering... what happens if it's another tie? Could this be the season that never ends? What if they're still playing when it's time for the new season to start? JK... OR AM I??? :)
aflfever
Guest
heres a stat afl grandfinal broadcast into 170 countrys my tip 300 million viewers globally inc australia nrl final 90 countrys my tip 3 million world wide inc australia
james
Guest
Those 100,000 people would either be crying or celebrating, whether people turn up to two sporting events on the same day is debatable. O.k I suppose on this forum, people keep referring about 3 grand final draws in over 100 years of AFL. But this is a professional era right now. Like I said before, people spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars to watch that grand final expecting a winner. That's my biggest concern. That match was a beauty and deserved a thrilling conclusion. The worst case scenario is if the replay turns into a lopsided contest. Will wait and see!
Tom
Guest
I like the replay rule -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Agree with Richard - you have to take that further!!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Agree with the five month break - it's part of the natural cycle of life - spend time with the wife and kids, etc.
Richard
Roar Guru
Gee Andrew, as a fellow 'Pies supporter I hated to read your story. I would be pissed off too. I am not a Legends member but I have been a season ticket member for about the same time as you and I had little trouble getting a seat from the clubs allotment via the internet. I was expecting a rush so was on-line as soon as they went on sale. The system was slow but I persisted and had a good seat within 15 minutes. As you are a Legends Member guaranteed a seat I would take it further with the club if I were you. I must say that I have found that the Ticketek system is not as good as the Ticketmaster system in allocating good seats for members. Take it up with Eddie! Tell him you're a Legends member, "Side by Side" , and you're not going to be blown off by some phone clerk.
Andrew
Guest
I have been a Collingwood legends member for 12 years. I attempted to purchase tickets to the Grand Final for myself and two other legends members (each over 30 year members) and was unable to get through to the correct section of ticketek after they attempted to forward my call and cut me off. With our level of memberships the package states that we will have access to buy grandfinal tickets thus I thought the club would help. I called Collingwood and they just said bad luck. I told them what had happened and they said 'I am sorry to hear that but it is not our problem'. I can not believe the lack of loyalty from the Collingwood football club. I will not be signing up next season.
Midfielder
Guest
What odds on another draw
Mister Football
Guest
Not sure what the number is, doesn't really matter to me, but people might be surprised by the extent of live coverage, this is a list of broadcasters that carry both grand finals live: http://www.afl.com.au/international%20broadcast%20partners/tabid/14533/default.aspx
The Bush
Guest
250 million.. Really? Really? You actually think 250 milllion people around the world watched the AFL Grand Final? 300 million... Really? Really? You actually think 300 million people around the world are going to watch the AFL Grand Final Replay? Wow...
beaver fever
Guest
If you want to watch soccer 24/7 you can, thats OK, but i actually like the idea of a 3 to 4 month break from AFL football, it recharges the batteries, it gives you time to weed the garden and undertake other activities, in Perth, the beach, fishing and cricket if you like. There is a Australian football comp in the top end and many players from south do make the trip up, so you can be involved in footy 12 months a year, but i think most people are quite happy with 7 months, i know i am. You really look forward to the new season coming around.
Mister Football
Guest
james I honestly disagree with you that only 5,000 would turn up - the derby was scheduled to start a couple of hours later, and there are 100,000 people walking around the city wondering what to do with themselves (not to mention those 20,000 who are going to go to the game come what may). My honest opinion was that there was zero need to make a switch. As it happens, the following weekend is A-League free - so it's probably a good idea - but it's silly getting stuck into the AFL just because the first grand final draw in 33 years happened.
JVGO
Guest
From this side of the fence said behaviour seems perfectly normal to me. It would be no different (in fact far worse) if NRL was as aggressive in Melbourne or if the NFL moved to town for instance.
james
Guest
Yeah...........5,000 would turn up at the derby When your up against the afl in melbourne, and in particular an afl grand final, its an impossible task for other sports to get exposure and media space and I think everyone knows that.
Jonathan
Guest
Jackson; The Wallabies and the Waratahs have to travel; but so does every other team in the competition., even if the distances can differ to an extent. Freo and West Coast already travel further than every other team in the AFL. The idea that it's only 'three hours' obviously applies if your'e only travelling one way. And you've got significant disruptions in training, recovery et al. I'm disappointed that most people in favour of the replay (who i'd wager, mainly live in Victoria and/or support Victorian clubs) cannot fathom how tough this sort of schedule is, and what an extraordinary disadvantage this would be to West Coast and Fremantle in the event of a draw if they were playing a Victorian side. Extra time is a must in a national competition.
slickwilly
Guest
JVGO - thank you for your considered response to what could reasonably be viewed by some as an offensive post on my behalf regards the game of Rugby League (and soccer for that matter) - all i can say is buy your club membership, show up to games, and keep watching on tv - if the game fails it will be because of the antipathy shown towards the game by its supporter base - it will have nothing to do with the AFL the continual denigration of AFL by many on this (i suspect sydney-based) site is bizarre in the extreme
JVGO
Guest
A lot of that is true Slick willy. The Melbourne establishment has been transplanted by Sydney politically and economically since the 80's. Menzies, Holt, McMahon, Frazer were all Victorian establishment i believe. The Libs have now had Howard, whatshisface, Turnbull, and Abbott all NSWelshman as the last 4 leaders. Costello as a Victorian interestingly couldn't get the numbers to get himself across the line. You could argue that AFL is so focused on Sydney because it is the economic and politic centre of the country. But nevertheless it is very interesting that the codes lined up along the convict v free settler divide. i guess that is an indication of the power that this divide held, and definitely to some degree still holds. The Sydney working class is also very defensive of its position I believe. It feels threatened by these changes. Many Swans supporters for instance are Southerners who have moved to Sydney because of this political and economic shift. That is one explanation for the antipathy to AFL.