AFL ...Xcuse me? Set to launch preseason 2018

[WhyPhilWhy?]

AFLX to be launched as part of 2018 pre-season shake up
October 17 2017 - 1:48PM
Jon Pierik

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/aflx-to-be-launched-as-part-of-2018-preseason-shake-up-20171017-gz2c61.html

The AFL pre-season is set for a shake up next year, with the men's JLT Community competition to be shortened, AFL Women's given greater prominence and AFLX to be launched.

New league football operations boss Steve Hocking, having officially begun in the role this week, is working closely with Travis Auld, the league's general manager of clubs and broadcasting, on a range of changes.

This is expected to have the number of official men's pre-season matches played per club cut from three to two, although these have been nothing more than glorified practice matches in recent years.

By reducing the number of these matches, the AFL will hope there is a greater spotlight on the second season of AFLW, which could start a week earlier next year on the Australia Day weekend – when the Australian Open finals are held at Melbourne Park.

"That's about to be announced ... certainly that will look different. We need to accommodate the AFLW season as well, make sure both of those parts of the business are working well together and the women are getting their time in the sun but, at the same time, the men are able to prepare for the season," Hocking said on Tuesday.

"Again, that is something we are working through. That will be released late next week."

This year's AFLW campaign was held over seven rounds, with the top two teams playing off in the grand final. The AFL has indicated it is keen to add to a semi-final weekend.

Hocking told the AFL website that plans for AFLX – a high-octane, seven-a-side format – were almost finalised. It's understood clubs could be split into three groups of six, with games held in three states.

"It looks like it is going to head down that path. That is something Travis and the relevant people will outline at the appropriate time," Hocking said.

The format has been trialled on rectangular field, with the AFL considering booking soccer stadiums for games. Matches have 10-minute quarters and there are no centre bounces, with kick ins from full back after each goal. Ten points are scored for goals from outside 40m.

The AFL hopes it could challenge cricket's Big Bash League and even help to spread the code overseas, where soccer stadiums are more prevalent than cricket fields.

"Most of that work has all been done, so they (AFL) are pretty keen on getting that out. I am looking forward to having a look at that," Hocking said.

"It certainly gives the fans something different and also the young kids that are coming through a different vehicle. I am looking forward to seeing that at the appropriate time."

A senior AFL player who took part in a trial match this year told Fairfax Media in July footballers would be keen to play but needed to be paid accordingly, for the AFLX format was not included under the new collective bargaining agreement.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan has said AFLX could complement pre-season training if held heading into the JLT competition.

"We want actually all teams to be involved ... to that we think then the best time is to lead into pre-season," he said in July.

"The other part is that the clubs, the feedback from the coaches is, they can manage the loads of the players, with the right planning it can an important part of the pre-season rather than wedging it in."

If successful, it would give broadcasters Channel Seven and Fox Sports more content, building momentum for the latest record broadcast rights deal of $2.5 billion to be bettered when it expires in 2022.

Retired players have also expressed interest in the fast-paced AFLX format, with some keen to establish their own side.

[Damien]

Retired players to form their own sides. I doubt it. But the rat pack would love to do this. Swan, Tarrant, Didak, R Shaw, BJ & Scotland. They want to play together again but local league point system would almost make it impossible. Would the AFL let them? The NBA have something similar. It’d be great to see.

[stui magpie]

AFLX, a 20-20 version of footy?

I'll have a look at it and see.

[ronrat]