THREE-TIME premiership coach Mick Malthouse has called for the AFL to scrap the pre-finals bye, saying it robs top-four sides of any advantage.
Malthouse, who coached a total of 52 finals across his 30-year coaching career, said the break evened up the playing field after four teams had earned the right to a second chance.
"By having a bye, you really do rob the top-four sides of any advantage," Malthouse said on Monday, when it was announced he would present this year's premiership-winning coach with the Jock McHale Medal on Grand Final day.
"I know they've got a double chance, but I'm not 100 per cent sure that sides that win this weekend will like having another week off, because it's quite drawn out.
"If you work hard enough to finish in the top four, you should be rewarded.
"The double chance is there, but I think also you need to be able to say the bottom four, there's a bit more heat on them because they have to come up."
Malthouse's opposition to the week off was supported by the League's games-record holder and North Melbourne great Brent Harvey, who said it affected the momentum of teams.
"For me, my whole career was based around continuity with training and playing, so that's another reason why it disadvantages the top four teams," Harvey said.
"I think one week off, you're advantaged because your body probably needs that rest, but you don't need a rest two weeks after you've had a bye.
"If you finish in the top four, you should get a slight advantage over the opposition, and I think the fact that other teams that finish outside the top four can rest players and prepare for the finals the way they couldn't a few years ago, disadvantages the top four.
"I'd like it scrapped as well."
Malthouse, who coached West Coast to premierships in 1992 and 1994 and Collingwood in 2010, said it should be scrapped in favour of a final-round fixture that scheduled all games at the same time to avoid a scenario like the one orchestrated by Fremantle in the final round of 2015.
The Dockers were granted permission by the AFL to rest up to 11 players for their final round clash with Port Adelaide after they wrapped up the minor premiership the week earlier.
"I'm a bit confused as why we have the bye – if it's because of Fremantle's last game a couple of years ago where two thirds of the side were rested, I think that action could have been taken then and that would have eliminated any problems," Malthouse said on Monday.
"The last round of the year should be played identically all over the country, at the same time. There's enough good grounds.
"I personally wouldn't have [the bye], but the last round, everyone should play at the same time."
Harvey was announced as this year's premiership cup ambassador, while it was confirmed at Monday's finals launch that James Hird will present the Norm Smith Medal on Grand Final day.
