WITH two new teams entering the AFL over the next two years, the league has some difficult decisions to make about the way its home and away and finals fixtures work. But it’s far from the first time they've faced such conundrums.

Throughout the 112-year history of the VFL/AFL the home and away season has, at various stages as teams have come and gone, been 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 and 24 rounds long.

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Rarely has the scenario played out that many consider most ‘fair’ - every team playing each other twice (at home and away); although between 1970 and 1986, with 12 teams in the league and 22 rounds, symmetry-lovers did get their perfect fixture.

When the numbers haven’t crunched so smoothly, league officials have had to get creative.

Between 1898 and 1900, the eight competing clubs played 14 initial rounds, all taking each other on twice, and then split into two ‘sections’ (or what the Americans might call ‘conferences’) - teams in odd-numbered positions on the ladder in one section and teams in even-numbered positions in the other.

The top team in each section then played off in a final. But that didn’t necessarily make them the premier. If the top-of-the-ladder team as of round 14 didn’t make the final match, it could challenge the winner of the final to another game for the premiership.

Read the full history of VFL/AFL finals systems →

In 1942 and 1943, the VFL grappled with the difficulties of an 11-team competition.

In 1942, six clubs had one bye and five teams two byes. And some say the current set-up isn’t equal!

In 1943, the league remedied this problem by introducing a new system where every team played each other once, then the bottom-placed team was sent on an early end of season trip, with the remaining teams playing five opponents a second time. (The perfect way to ensure no tanking for priority draft picks?)

And finally, for those worried that an expanded finals structure (e.g. a final 10 as has been suggested as an option) would reward mediocrity, consider this:

In 1916 only four clubs competed in the VFL due to World War I. Fitzroy started the season with two wins and a draw before losing its next nine matches to finish bottom of the ladder.

But, with a four-team finals system in place, the Lions still got to participate in September action. And they suddenly struck form - winning their next three games to achieve the remarkable feat of a wooden spoon and a premiership in the same year!

Read more VFL/AFL finals trivia snippets →