Last week news trickled out about the possible 2011 season fixtures which will see the new Gold Coast team join the big boys of the AFL. I do like how they allowed the CEO’s of the other 16 clubs have some say, anyway lets focus on why the suggestion for only 18 rounds will NOT happen.

The way I see this suggestion working, is that the 17 clubs will play each other once and each team will have two bye’s each. Seems practical on the surface but…

The main issue why this proposed 2011 fixture wont happen is because of the blockbuster games. It will mean the clubs will only have a piece of the cash cow games with good crowds revenues once every two years. For example Collingwood will only play Essendon once a year and instead of them playing twice and both teams being able to take home the purse from a 80,000+ crowd every year, it will only happen every second year.

McKenna the new Gold Coast coach with boom recruit Matera who will be part of the new AFL team in 2011

That will significantly cut into any teams profits especially when teams profit for a year is only around $100, 000.

Another issue that will only effect the non Victorian teams is the fact that the fans and paying members will see less live matches and get less for their hard earned buck! For example, instead of West Coast playing 12 games at Subiaco, they will only get to watch 8 and every second year 9 games.

Funny how all these issues all have something do with money! Lets face it, the AFL does not care about anything else, 18 rounds will probably extend careers but 32 less games a year is over 100, 000 fans who will not buy the Football record, cold pies etc. Which will not only eat into Andrew Demetriou pay packet but also the clubs.

If the season becomes shorter what will happen to the costs of the clubs memberships? Would the AFL have to ask less for their TV rights?

So what do you think as someone who is a fan of the AFL? Whether you buy a membership every year and brave the cold and rain to support your team or your someone who sits at home watching as many games as you can. Would you like to only have 18 rounds? Or would you prefer to see us stick to 22 rounds or something else?

Personally I think scrap the NAB pre season cup and re format it with just two normal practice matches, one to play at home & the other inter state or at a suburban ground. Then stick three extra rounds onto the season, two at the start of the season and one on the end and have an October Grand Final.

What about you?

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