Let them play: It's time for AFL to introduce extra time

Friday night witnessed the first stalemate of the season at Marvel Stadium between Richmond and Fremantle.



Obviously, this type of result is rare to come by as the sport is built on picking out a winner and a loser, which is why the AFL needs to seriously consider bringing in an extra time or golden goal rule.

Firstly, it would make for a more entertaining final few minutes to force both teams to attack and try to win the game. The Dockers were a great example of how they soaked up the pressure and defended so well getting numbers behind the ball as they were playing not to lose, rather than going for the kill.

Even if one team is suffering from tiring legs towards those dying few moments of a gruelling encounter, knowing that extra time would be on the horizon, it will force them to go for the all-or-nothing approach which can only be good for the spectacle.

This would change that dynamic completely, however, it is understood that an underdog would still be more willing to hang on for extra time and reset.

There is nothing worse than the siren sounding after a draw has been played out and hearing an eerie and silent crowd mumbling to each other not knowing what to do next when neither club song can be put on the loudspeakers.

Episode 1 of the 2010 grand final between the Pies and Saints had that exact same feeling about it as it felt like sitting in a library.

What good does that do for the sport not coming away with a winner? It can be agreed that finals are different as there needs to be a determined champion, but the regular season can still have that same dramatic effect.

The AFL loves gathering ideas from American sports such as the NFL and NBA, which both have overtime periods during the regular season, so why not experiment with it for one season? It’s not like the rules never change each week anyway, right?

An extra five minutes being played for example can only benefit the code because there’s nothing better in sport than witnessing a match-winning goal to send supporters into delirium.

Remember the scenes at the MCG for Jamie Elliott’s incredible winner on the siren yesterday? The atmosphere was incredible. Friday saw an opportunity lost to create a similar outcome.

There are some people who share the opposite opinion, such as Jordan Lewis, arguing that “if you’re not good enough to win at the end of the game, you shouldn’t deserve an extra five minutes.”

This is certainly a valid comment considering that both teams would have had their fair time and chance to settle the game in their favour.

At the end of the day, when tipping and predictions are made before the first bounce of the round, no one is looking at the draw option (unless they are crazy).

This sport is designed to be a high-scoring affair and to have a winner by the end of the 80 minutes of play. 



With the concern growing throughout the season regarding the lack of fans attending the footy, this is one small step to change that. It won’t hurt.