The draw

[Rohan Coventry Tateson]

The draw Collingwood gets is the hardest in the AFL. That is very obvious.

Collingwood contributes to this hard draw by demanding blockbuster games against big drawing or well performing sides.

The point of my argument is that a balance in the hardness of the draw should be struck. That is having easier games while retaining the traditional games (Essendon, Carlton).

Carlton and Essendon have these blockbuster games and also have a balance of easier games (return games against West Coast, St Kilda, Fremantle etc.)

It makes financial sense to play other blockbuster games. But it also makes sense to play against weaker opposition which may lead to finals, and ultimately play in finals which generate as much turnover as these blockbuster games.

Next year is a crucial year for the football club. If we don't make finals there are going to be some serious questions asked.

The finances are in good shape and the time is too deliver on the field. It's not the time to be bravo and ask games against every top team, it's the time to be smart about it and make the finals.

You do this by trying to get a draw, which isn't the hardest in the AFL.

Baa Baa



In Skob We Trust

[MarkT]

Marsell11, we do get big$ from the blockbusters - if they are our home game. That is very likely to change next year. The gate sharing arrangement has been highlighted by all the poorer clubs. They want a slice of the action and they will get. From next year it looks like we play these games and get no$ and maybe have a much harder time making the finals and certainly the top4.

Financial benefits aside, the single most important thing for CFC next year is to make the 8. It will be a devastating setback for our club and supporters if we don't.