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Opinion
The 2020 AFL season looks like no other, with teams relocating from around the country into hubs just to keep the delayed home-and-away fixture ticking over to make it to the finals.
But based on how this has worked out, with 33 games in 19 days, should the AFL consider permanently changing to a 34-round fixture whereby all clubs play each other twice before the finals?
The AFL should look at this busier 34-plus-finals model in 2023, which would allow it to sell the TV rights at the next round of negotiations at a higher price, making up for the shortfall in revenue the game as a whole is experiencing during this pandemic.
The AFL has the chance to create a level playing field in terms of the match schedule while also expanding the season at the same time.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
This will bring in huge revenue for the footy rights. We could also have media broadcasters paying extra for boutique games such as Anzac Day, the grand final, finals, derbies and rivalries.
Could this be the foundation of a new AFL era post-COVID-19?
The AFL will lose revenue over 2020-21 seasons, and as the effects of coronavirus continue, there’s a real danger major corporate sponsorship will withdraw from the game.
The AFL has to look at revenue for the near future, and by expanding the game schedule and making it a more even deal for all clubs will enhance the value of the media rights.
The packaging of the series would be simple: 34 rounds with two byes, after Round 11 and Round 22, after which the finals would be played as normal.
Player lists would have to be expanded to 50 to fill a senior and reserves side.
AFL boutique games could be sold to the highest bidder as one-off matches or as a bundle, with the maximum permitted games sold and some financial benefit going back to the respective clubs in the match-up.
Out of the 306 games played over a 34-round season, all have to be on free-to-air TV, even if they are delayed by up to 72 hours.
The AFLW season should also be expanded to 34 rounds and played before senior games, with reserves games doing likewise, to be player before AFLW games.
These are my thoughts from this coronavirus era. What do you think, Roarers? Could an expanded AFL post-pandemic build a better game?
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