Clubs will no doubt appreciate the opportunity to freshen up players up or give some the crucial extra days to get over any minor niggles. 

Surely given we have an eighteen team competition we could seriously look at increasing the finals to include ten teams.  Whilst it would give a perception of rewarding mediocrity it would actually increase the finals series to a five week format, increase the amount of games played and would be more rewarding for teams finishing higher up the table.

Week one would replace the current bye weekend and would only involve the four lowest ranked teams.  Seventh would play tenth and eight would play ninth in the ‘Wildcard Weekend’ with the higher ranking teams given home ground advantage.  Victorian clubs that finish in seventh or eighth would be given the opportunity to play at their home ground and not just their home state as the current format dictates.  The top six teams would all receive the first week off.

The finals would then continue under the current final eight format.

The ‘Final 10’ format would increase the current schedule by two games and would provide advantageous to teams who finish higher on the ladder.  Under the current system if you finish fifth and share the same home venue as the team that finishes eight you effectively gain no benefit from finishing higher.  Under the ‘Final 10’ you would receive a week off and give your players the opportunities to not only freshen up but during your week off watch your opponents play an extra game.

Finals systems are ever changing as our great game evolves and with the expansion of the league creates opportunity to expand our finals series.  Some will say that you should never have more than half the teams playing in the finals series but under the eighteen team format only team (North Melbourne 10-12, 2013) has failed to have a win ratio of 50% or above and finish in the top 10. 

This year the ‘Final 10’ format would have Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Melbourne and Collingwood all vying for the final two positions and would definitely make the final month for all four clubs far more interesting.  Whilst I cannot remember a final eight settled as early as it appears this season it does spark debate about the possibilities for the future of our game.

I’ve always been an advocate for keeping the traditions of our game but given the league has nominated a football free weekend in September does set the mind of the average footy fan racing.  September should always be reserved for the AFL finals and hold a special place in our hearts and after barely surviving the prolonged three week split round byes we should be doing everything in our powers to avoid a footy free weekend.