Tasmania should have a team; the only problem is that it's all about sponsorship dollars, and Tasmania simply doesn't have enough big business to support and AFL team. Then again, I don't see why the AFL can't give such a club some extra handouts, it's a big competition, and like the NBA has a salary cap.
There are no local rich men? Even in the worst areas of the world are some Tinkov-like "lords" owning this and that around the corner. So I guess if the will is there, AFL could go first to Tasmania.
Which soccer doesn't. And I strongly dislike that about soccer.
Yes, same thinking here. That´s why there are the same winners again and again. It´s soooo boring.
There is the Northern Territory too which is very much into AFL, but similar to Tasmania, the issue is $. Oh, and opposition teams probably wouldn't be too keen on playing in high humidity in Darwin
... and I would be far far away, right?
As far as the final eight system goes, I probably preferred it when 1 played 8 in week one rather than playing 4; more reward for finishing top. But even with the current format, it would be improved in teams kept their seedings. So say team 1 wins four more games during the home and away season than team 4, but then loses in the first week (this happened to Port Adelaide in consecutive years, 2002/2003). Not only do they have to play in week 2 whilst their conquerer gets the weeks break, but they also have to travel in they win their semi final and go into the preliminary final. My opinion is that it would be fairer if team 1 were guaranteed a home final (except for the grand final which is always played at the M.C.G) in all matches. Even if team 2 beats team 3, and then has to travel away to face team 1 in the prelim, that's just too bad. And it would be an interesting comparison of the week's rest vs. home ground advantage.
TBH, I am not yet fully understanding the Australia playoff system. But from a (even though short) historical view, it seems to be fair in my opinion, since no team lower than seed five won the GF. In comparison just look at the National Luck League (IOW: NHL). It seems every year a 6th-8th seed team makes the finals (sometimes with negative point differential ). Why they still have a regular season (home/away season) is beyond me. And it´s further beyond me that people still pay hard earned dollars to attend that games, yet they shall understand those games are meaningless...
In weekend news: Parker, Franklin ofc, McVeigh, and even Goodes were impressive. If the Swans wouldn´t always slow start, their Pct would be up there with that of the Hawks, Eagles. and Dockers. So Iam optimistic for them going deep in the finals.
This week Hawks vs Swans. Hope I don´t miss that. Need to set my alert on the watch.
@leftover... in the end I rooted for WB. Great how the closed the gap vs Freo in the 4th Qtr. I like them more and more...
How about the GWS Giants? And BL clobbers PA?
Seems they got their act together with two upsets wins in a row...