THE NATIONAL game took a giant leap forward when the AFL recently abandoned a replay in the event of a Grand Final draw.
The decision was driven by the Australian value of fairness. Clubs outside Victoria – where the Grand Final is played – would be at an extreme disadvantage if forced to travel home and back to the MCG for a Grand Final replay, particularly if they were playing a Victorian-based team.
Let us not forget how difficult it is to win a premiership. You might think the laws of probability give your team a one-in-18 chance of winning a flag, but recent history has shown that clubs can score multiple wins when in the premiership zone.
In all probability, clubs might have better odds of winning two flags close together every 36 years. Quite simply, if your club misses out on silverware when in the premiership zone, odds are they might not win one for 70-odd years.
The AFL's belated decision to get rid of the replay in favour of extra time – some 30 years after clubs were added in Western Australia and Queensland – should be embraced. But there are other changes the AFL should make to finally kill off lingering perceptions that the competition is still only an expanded Victorian-based league. The AFL must become truly national, and here are a few ways to do it.
1. Tasmania must have a team
There is no excuse. Revenues are now shared and can support a new club in its establishment stage. Tasmania is one of our great states and Australian Football is part of its DNA. If Hawthorn or North Melbourne is genuinely committed to Tasmania, one of them should make the move there, or allow another club to move in.
2. The Grand Final must be played all over the country
We're close to having world-class stadiums capable of hosting major events in all states. The location of the Grand Final would be decided 12 months in advance, based on the home state of the team finishing on top of the ladder after the home and away rounds. Under that system, this year's Grand Final would have been scheduled for Perth, in recognition of Fremantle topping the table last year.
3. The Brownlow Medal count should be rotated
The Brownlow Medal is our game's marquee off-field event. The bye week introduced at the end the home and away season provides the perfect opportunity for any city to host this event and for all invited players to attend. The count should be held in the home state or territory of the previous year's winner, meaning Perth this year would also be hosting the Brownlow Medal after Docker Nat Fyfe's win last year.
4. Open up pathways
Every man, woman or child wishing to pursue a career in the AFL as a player, coach, umpire or administrator must be given an equal opportunity to do so, regardless of where they reside. That requires heavy investment in clear pathways, communication technology and development programs.
5. Cross-pollination opportunities
Career-driven coaches and administrators should be encouraged to work at a variety of clubs across the country. This would broaden their knowledge and develop their skills, while also providing benefits to employers. The AFL and state bodies must provide coaching and administrative opportunities with continual movement through roles. I believe no one in the game should have the same role for more than six years, as complacency can set in.
6. Continue to move the draft
It was a wonderful innovation by the AFL to take the draft on the road. The draft should be rotated around all states and territories so no part of Australia misses out on a major AFL event in a seven-year period.
If the AFL wants Australian Football to remain the No. 1 sport in this country, it must embrace the whole country in a fair and reasonable way.
Chris Connolly played 84 games for Melbourne from 1982-89 and coached Hawthorn and Fremantle in 130 matches.
