The NAB cup must go. The love affair with a mini AFL cup competition in the pre-season is gone much like a child’s interest wanes in their toys once they become a teen.
Sure there may be a nostalgic look back every now and then and the supergoals, shorter quarters and some of the modified rules may get you thinking about it for a moment but once you are an adult and real season starts then the old toys are forgotten.
Over the last few weeks on our radio show The Banter, we have been on the campaign to cleanse papers and early overkill of talk balk lines filled with pre-season cup talk.
We promote the idea of waiting until the real season starts to enjoy that when it comes, giving time to focus on other sports before the choke of the premiership season commences.
Removal of the NAB cup looks more and more likely according to reports in the media in recent days and this is a good thing. The benefits far outweigh the negatives.
We all know the problems of the NAB cup. Crowds have been down and members are complaining that their memberships no longer grant them entrance to preseason games as they formerly did.
The clubs send out teams that are not complete line ups and the trial rules make a mockery of the season ahead. The benefits that are spruiked could all be achieved at the start of the season proper.
No real supporter takes the pre-season cup seriously. It’s glorified practice which the clubs could get by playing, wait for it … practice matches. If there were no pre-season competition the anticipation for round one would be even more intense.
Crowds and ratings in the first weeks of the season would be further increased as people’s appetite would be more insatiable than those of Messrs Colombaris, Preston and Mehigan before the start of a new Masterchef season.
Another benefit would be that the best cup competition would be the newly formed Foxtel Cup which hopefully will gain in strength over the coming years.
Having said that, the removal of the NAB Cup is the best option for the competition. I am certainly not averse to the season being extended, particularly given the entry of the two new teams GWS Giants and Gold Coast Suns. Now bring on the footy.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
AFL has decided that the NAB cup is to stay: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-boss-andrew-demetriou-backs-pre-season-comp-in-2012/story-e6frf9jf-1226018556014?from=public_rss "The Cup serves a purpose - for four weeks it is about the AFL and I'm not going to give up that space to other (sporting) codes," Demetriou said. "It has been hugely successful."
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
The NAB cup has had its day. No one gives a stuff about the comp and Ross Lyon was even chuckling in the press conference after St. Kilda lost a semi final. How often do you hear coaches saying after a loss 'its only the NAB cup, we are gearing for round 1 etc etc'. With 18 Teams starting in 2012 the comp will be (should be) 24 rounds with 2 split rounds providing each team with 2 byes during the season proper. If clubs want practice matches they can play practice matches at their training grounds before the season starts. Also the final system should not change from the current format, there is no need to try an squeeze and extra team into the finals series when basically team 7 and 8 are already making up the numbers. I know the AFL are looking at all options but it is working pretty well the way it is at the moment
Redb
Roar Guru
No it has to remain in some form. Clubs will still want practice matches, framing a competition adds more bite for competing teams. The result may not significant but chasing a result is better than a nothing pracice match to test out who is really keen. Many core fans still want to see their team compete in real game situations.
Australian Football
Guest
I totally disagree. The NAB Cup must stay. It is the only way the AFL can trial new rules. The AFL is consistering bringing stronger VFL, WAFL and SANFL and even the new NEAFL teams into the preseason competition. It is becoming more popular every year.
Andrew Leonard
Roar Pro
Have to agree with you Koops. MLF - There is nothing wrong with regional practice games - all the major football leagues do it. Games against teams in lower leagues or practive matches at local grounds. Think of the excitement come round 1!
Koops
Roar Rookie
I have never liked it, bring on a longer season, and pre-season games in regional Australia
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
If the season is extended to 24 rounds, as seems likely, the question becomes what are we doing as a lead up to it - just 3 or 4 practice matches? Intra-club matches? Also, it would appear that the first round of triangular matches was quite well received (the crowds dropped away thereafter). Could that concept be extended to a second week, thereby having a final in the third week? With 18 teams chasing the only one major trophy, I can't help thinking there is a place for having a secondary pre-season trophy.