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So Collingwood is the Phar Lap of the AFL next year. Now that they’ve created a yawning gap between the top and bottom clubs, the AFL (Animal Farm League?) has deemed some clubs are more equal than others in a bid to mitigate the number of public floggings suffered by the stragglers and the newbies.
Problem is, at the business end, Collingwood plays all the top five clubs twice (and another finalist) while Carlton, and to a lesser degree Geelong, have nowhere near as tough assignment.
When a game or percentage can determine vital 2-3 (home fnal) or 4-5 (double chance) placings, this is reprehensibly wrong. The AFL ceases to be a competition.
The ‘draw’ is barely even a fixture, it’s become an ‘arrangement’.
The Blues appear to be the next AFL-approved premier. Not only have they been gifted a top four spot, they’ve also been sent a blank cheque with so many marquee money-spinner games.
And what’s with Adelaide’s cushy schedule?
If the AFL are so concerned about integrity, then the new fixtures’ policy just opens the door to speculation of backroom deals. Anywhere else in the world, the clubs and the supporters would not stand for it.
It’s accepted that either 17 or 34 rounds is too short or too long a season. But surely, if the AFL is to bother with a draft and salary cap to create a level playing field, then a 22-game fixture should provide all clubs with a similar number of ‘easy’, ’50/50′ and ‘tough’ games.
Forget the commercial arrangements. Forget pulling strings to contrive an outcome. Time to get serious.
There’s too much money, too much blood, sweat and tears involved.
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