Product Review: The AFL

Let's not pretend the AFL is an authentic sporting competition. It isn't. It's a tightly controlled stage managed product.

For the AFL to be a true sporting league the roster would have to be such that each team played each team twice. Currently it is "equalized" over a number of years. Yeah, sure.

The weekend long scheduling doesn't work. Yes we can see nearly every minute of every game if we like - with only the odd quarter overlap (except on Saturday afternoon). Round the grounds reporters are out of a job. No longer the excitement of hearing of a possible upset somewhere else while you watch your team. Now it's the only thing you can watch because it's the only game on. The advent of Fox Footy makes this even worse. It's not only on all weekend. It's on all week! Saturation can be sweet - when it it can be measured against paucity. Now it can't. It's a loss.

Richmond's coaches box has an almost uncountable number of coaches today. Ex players don't play in level two leagues anymore and boost lower level
Footy. They stay in the competition as Assistant coaches. It is over coached and over strategised. In short it is getting boring. Lower level competitions, younger players and supporters miss out.

This year has seen Hawthorn start slowly, crash to Richmond, yet finish on top. They aren't a good team to watch. Franklin and Rioli aside they aren't very interesting. The pundits predicted their triumph early - they had it right because it is so predictable.

Collingwood have ploughed on under Buckley. On and on - and on. And they finished in the top 4. Thankfully they must play Hawthorn. I'll watch Scott and Bailey while that's on as it won't be a spectacle.

Geelong might have a chance to defend their flag and at least they have the interesting Tom Hawkins in their side. Fremantle will go out in round 1 of the finals. North Melbourne will play West Coast and given their tendency to play above themselves - who knows.

Of the others we've had the Ratten sacking torture. St Kilda have disappointed their fans. Richmond have shown themselves not to be good enough. The Gold Coast justified their existence by beating Carlton. The GWS have justified their existence by keeping Kevin Sheedy on the scene.

So, let's have a 17 week season (we can't because of TV rights contracts). Let's play 6 games all at once - in the same time slot. Let's do away with the forward pocket ( do they have that position anymore) coach. Send ex AFL players to Level two competitions. And let's hope Fremantle eventually win a flag.