A MAJORITY of AFL coaches would scrap the 22-round season, the 2009 afl.com.au Coaches Survey has revealed.
But don’t ask coaches to agree on whether the season should be longer or shorter. Six of the 16 league coaches would prefer a marathon 30-game season. Three would rather see the season distilled to a neat 15 games.
Where coaches found consensus was in the benefits of the two alternative models, under which teams would play all other teams either once (in the 15-game season) or twice.
“It’s equitable,” said one coach of a 15-round season. “And [there is] less stress on the most valuable resource – players.”
“It gives the competition integrity by playing teams home and away,” another coach said. One who favoured a 30-match season gave his opinion in three syllables: “Even comp”.
Although most wanted change, there remained plenty of support for the status quo. Seven coaches considered the current 22-round season ideal, while one coach who nominated a 30-game season accepted that 30 games was too many.
“[Instead] reduce the number of teams to 14 (play 26 rounds and no NAB Cup),” the coach said. “And increase list sizes so teams can manage player loads through year.”
Several coaches queried the need for a lengthy pre-season. One coach who preferred a 22-round season added: “If two new teams, play 24 games, no pre-season competition with two practice games.”
Another, who wanted a longer season, said simply: “No pre-season games”.
Player welfare was at the heart of an overwhelming vote in favour of the mid-season break, which a majority of coaches believed should be extended.
Fifteen coaches said the break was necessary, citing as factors “mental and physical recovery”, “ a faster, more intense game”, “fatigue” and “allowing players to get over injuries”.
A lone dissenter wanted larger lists, under which scenario “clubs would manage their players’ loads and not have them play every game.”
Asked whether a one-week break was enough, nine out of the 16 coaches answered “no”.
“Two breaks in 2008 was great – it blocked the season,” commented one coach. “Two weeks (not at a time) would provide even more required mental and physical recovery and hopefully a better playing product,” said another.
Among the seven coaches who said a one-week break was enough, the skill of player management was again mentioned.
Said one: “Management of the list is an art and a competitive advantage is lost if the break evens up poor management”.
Just one coach said he would support a state of origin carnival held during the mid-season break.
The 2009 afl.com.au Coaches Survey was conducted anonymously, with thanks to the AFL Coaches Association. Check back on Tuesday to find out where the coaches stand on the thorny issue of free agency.
