With 18 teams soon to be competing in the League with the introduction of the Gold Coast from 2011 and Greater Western Sydney from 2012, now is the time for fans to let administrators know how it could work with concepts like shortened pre-seasons, expanded regular seasons, shorter Finals series and even American NFL-style 'Conferences' on the table.
This webpage has enjoyed a great response to date with an enormous number of comments and surveys completed.
So AFL HQ is keeping the webpage open for at least another week to ensure everyone can have their say on the future of their favourite game.
AFL Chief Operating Officer Gillon McLachlan said: "The AFL has used a four-week pre-season, a 22-match home and away season, and a four-week Finals series for a considerable time now."
"The football public is already aware that a four-week knockout competition cannot continue to work with 18 teams in the League. So this has prompted some considerable internal work at the AFL to examine all the options that may be available in the future.
"We want to hear from the football public on key questions surrounding our season - such as what is the appropriate length of our premiership season, what is the appropriate number of weeks for the Finals series, how many teams out of 18 should qualify to play Finals, or should we look at various options such as conferences."
Mr McLachlan stated that each discussion stage on their website - pre-season, home and away, and Finals - was presented with key parameters that any proposed system needed to meet.
This is to ensure the AFL competition met its various contractual requirements such as six-day breaks for players under the CBA agreement, match scheduling as part of ground contracts, scheduling requirements for the broadcast contract and the development and promotional requirements of the AFL itself.
So please log onto www.afl.com.au/myaflseason and provide your valuable feedback today.
