The Monday Soapbox - R22

[GVGjr]

What do you want to get on your soapbox for round 22?

[Hotdog60]

Where to start so many things.
Attitude
Goalkicking
Tackling
Speed
Decision Making
Intensity

I think we just have to let this one go and hope we turn up for North this week.

[GVGjr]

While the overall competition is pretty good when considering how tight it is for a finals spot with just 2 rounds to go but I really hope this isn't the catalyst for expanding the finals set-up with a wild cards weekend. I'd want to see a more sustained period of having multiple teams in contention before considering that.

[bornadog]

While the overall competition is pretty when considering how tight it is for a finals spot with just 2 rounds to go but I really hope this isn't the catalyst for expanding the finals set-up with a wild cards weekend. I'd want to see a more sustained period of having multiple teams in contention before considering that.

I am sick and tired of the media pushing the wild card idea. It is just rewarding mediocracy. It is hard enough to win the premiership from the bottom 4 of 8, let alone 10th. It is another money grab.

[GVGjr]

I am sick and tired of the media pushing the wild card idea. It is just rewarding mediocracy. It is hard enough to win the premiership from the bottom 4 of 8, let alone 10th. It is another money grab.

The media act like it's fans demanding it when in reality I think most reasonable people aren't convinced it's required.
It's a bit like their pushing for Thursday night games that don't suit a lot of people who attend games but are good for TV ratings.

[Grantysghost]

While the overall competition is pretty good when considering how tight it is for a finals spot with just 2 rounds to go but I really hope this isn't the catalyst for expanding the finals set-up with a wild cards weekend. I'd want to see a more sustained period of having multiple teams in contention before considering that.

If they bring this US crap in seriously consider my want to follow the sport.

It's already a shadow of its former self.

[Happy Days]

We got a preview of what wild card weekend would be on Saturday night between Essendon and GC. It brought about one of the absolute worst games of football you could ever see and ended with goon supporters throwing stuff at players and then taking their phones out to racially abuse Mac Andrew on Twitter.

[Sedat]

EDIT - wrong thread

[josie]

We got a preview of what wild card weekend would be on Saturday night between Essendon and GC. It brought about one of the absolute worst games of football you could ever see and ended with goon supporters throwing stuff at players and then taking their phones out to racially abuse Mac Andrew on Twitter.

That’s inexcusable behaviour. Gutless, stupid idiots. Hope they’re identified and appropriate action taken.

[jazzadogs]

While the overall competition is pretty good when considering how tight it is for a finals spot with just 2 rounds to go but I really hope this isn't the catalyst for expanding the finals set-up with a wild cards weekend. I'd want to see a more sustained period of having multiple teams in contention before considering that.

The one potential positive is that it removes some of the fixture inequity that could cost a team a top 8 spot, for example the team in 8th gets to play north, Richmond and west coast six times in total and 9th only gets them once each (not a real example).

I don't want a wildcard round but that's the only way I could justify it.

[mjp]

I am sick and tired of the media pushing the wild card idea. It is just rewarding mediocracy. It is hard enough to win the premiership from the bottom 4 of 8, let alone 10th. It is another money grab.

Given how unfair the draw is, I have no issue with a pre-finals week where 7v10 and 8v9 to sort out the bottom of the 8 during the bye week...I mean, Hawthorn have been great but they've also benefitted from a bottom 6-schedule...

How does it hurt? Gives the top 6 and advantage (which is good) and gives the top 4 a further advantage with a double chance?

I see ZERO negatives to the idea.

[bornadog]

Given how unfair the draw is, I have no issue with a pre-finals week where 7v10 and 8v9 to sort out the bottom of the 8 during the bye week...I mean, Hawthorn have been great but they've also benefitted from a bottom 6-schedule...

How does it hurt? Gives the top 6 and advantage (which is good) and gives the top 4 a further advantage with a double chance?

I see ZERO negatives to the idea.

So if Essendon lose the last two games, finish on 11 wins, but the teams in the top 8 are on 14 games minimum (very possible this year), is it fair Essendon get another go at finishing in top 8

[Grantysghost]

Given how unfair the draw is, I have no issue with a pre-finals week where 7v10 and 8v9 to sort out the bottom of the 8 during the bye week...I mean, Hawthorn have been great but they've also benefitted from a bottom 6-schedule...

How does it hurt? Gives the top 6 and advantage (which is good) and gives the top 4 a further advantage with a double chance?

I see ZERO negatives to the idea.

It's the worst idea the AFL have ever floated by the length of the straight. I'd be goneski I reckon.

Where do start with what's wrong with it, hmm.

The draw is weighted for the lower teams so we have closer seasons like this year. It's a handicap race. Ask Essendon. So this would basically make that idea defunct.

What's the point of even having a top 8? It's a top 10.

You might as well finish 10th if they are Vic teams ahead of you, around you so 7th or 10th whatever. Just rest a few.

We made the GF from 7th. Forget that happening if you're playing 5 games. So again, why have a top 8 if the guys that make it have less chance then ever before.

In 2016 we won 15 games and finished 7th. Port won 10 games and finished 10th. So all we get for winning 5! more games is a home ground advantage in a pre-finals final? A game that could give a severely under performing team the chance to have a great day and render useless a 5 game better season.

8th placed teams already are miles behind the pack usually. They rarely win their elimination finals. So lets add two more ! No team has ever won from 8th. No team will ever win from 9th or 10th.

Sometimes teams struggle towards the end of the season due to a massive injury list. Let's watch them get humiliated some more.

I could go on all day.

There's only one reason for it, that's TV money. No fan who's team finishes 9th or 10th would expect that they deserve a chance to win the lot.

I mean I can't disagree more strongly and this is a typical out of touch executive thinking we all love American "sport" and want the same experience.

Give me more Sweet Caroline and KISS CAM PLEASE! (insert smiley).

[Grantysghost]

Waiting for MJP to respond - I've seen what he could do to me at the nets



It's the soapbox though right!?

[mjp]

It's the worst idea the AFL have ever floated by the length of the straight. I'd be goneski I reckon.

I just don't care about it that much.

Another 2-games of footy during the bye week sounds great to me. I just don't see what's bad...if - as you say - 7th and 8th are already miles off the pack, then who really care's 'cos they aren't winning the flag anyway.

This whole thing seems to have caused so much angst when it just really doesn't materially impact on the outcome of the competition...so just do it. Other things that DO materially impact on the competition are implemented with far less passion and debate (rule changes - both on and OFF field - nga etc).

I know it's cool to say it's an American thing therefore it's a bad idea but it's a pretty new American thing and it's been implemented in a secondary sport (I think everyone in Australia thinks the NBA is WAY more popular than it actually is - it's all about the NFL over there) - and it was introduced primarily as a way to discourage tanking...or rather, to keep fans engaged with their teams and the outcomes of games longer. Right now - Gold Coast and Melbourne - technically eliminated - would still have half a chance at getting to 10th...that's 2 more teams playing out their games...how is that bad?

I don't know. I admire your passion I guess...I just really don't see much of a negative. Like you have said, 7th and 8th aren't that much good anyway so why not give the others a shot at it!