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The annual finals system debate thread

Which System ARL 95/96 or McIntyre

  • ARL 95/96 which the AFL use now

    Votes: 93 59.6%

  • McIntyre System

    Votes: 63 40.4%
  • Total voters
    156
Y2Eel

Y2Eel

First Grade
Messages
8,176
the only problem with a 5-6 team finals series is there are less games for TV (channel nine) to make money from..
 
Charlie124

Charlie124

First Grade
Messages
8,509
I dont like the system but i wouldnt want it to go back to a top 5 system either, i know the quality of games is slightly lower by having the top 8 but in my opinion the more games the better, i like the fact that no matter where in the 8 a team finishes they are a chance at the Premiership. an example is 2004 the cowboys finished 7th, beat the bulldogs (2nd) then the broncos and were in the Grand Final qualifyer with the roosters. Some might argue that a team that finishes 6th, 7th, 8th doesnt deserve to win a premiership but i think thats rubbish, they still have to win every game (top 2 can lose one and still be ok). Look at this year with the Dragons sitting in 6th, theyre just hitting their straps and i think are probably in better form than most in the top 8.
 
PARRA_FAN

PARRA_FAN

Coach
Messages
17,794
The top 4 should be given a 2nd chance, you're not safe even if you're 3rd and 4th with this system.
 
Walt Flanigan

Walt Flanigan

Referee
Messages
20,727
I think having a top 8 as opposed to a 5 is fine. There was a day when the top 4 or 5 teams were greatly superior to the other teams. These days though the competition is close every year to the point where teams that come 3rd and 4th don't have that much over 7th, 8th and even 9th. 4 points seperate 3rd and 8th this year. Besides the top 8 keeps more fans interested toward the end of the year.
 
P

*Paul*

Juniors
Messages
2,151
As always in this debate, the finals system exists purely to manufacture interest.

So the way this is done has no relation to getting the best team to win, but to maximise support. Too many games, boring, too little, and it's over too quickly.

8 teams and 4 weeks seems to have installed itself as the happy medium.
 
Nickeel

Nickeel

Juniors
Messages
2,372
I think there is not nearly enough reward for finishing first under the current system.

In the Top 5 system, the minor premier only had to win once to be in the Grand Final. A Top 8 minor premier must win twice, and can win their first match in the finals and still be bundled out before the big one. (Yes, Parra 2005, I'm talking to you).

Nick
 
pennywisealfie

pennywisealfie

Coach
Messages
13,812
The best way to decide who the best team is, is first past the post. however the finals are exciting so leave it as it is.
 
Brutus

Brutus

Referee
Messages
26,355
I like the McIntyre System. Every team (barring 1 and 2) has to win in the first week of the finals to save their arse just in case results don't go their way. Who can forget the 5th-placed Dragons missing out back in 2004 after they lost to Penrith. They finished that match thinking they were still a good chance of progressing, but the Cowboys beat the Dogs and the Storm beat Brisbane which meant bye bye Dragons.

It also rewards teams 1 and 2 better by allowing them to play 8 and 7 respectively.

The ARL used the other system in 95 and 96 and even more people were against that.
 
lockyno1

lockyno1

Post Whore
Messages
53,348
AFL system is much better. It also enables HOME Preliminary finals. That is a much bigger advantage than just a first week home final. Better system.
 
ledzep

ledzep

Bench
Messages
2,521
lockyno1 said:
AFL system is much better. It also enables HOME Preliminary finals. That is a much bigger advantage than just a first week home final. Better system.
Click to expand...
the home finals have nothing to do with the finals system employed
it's just AFL policy
 
Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle

First Grade
Messages
9,729
lockyno1 said:
AFL system is much better. It also enables HOME Preliminary finals. That is a much bigger advantage than just a first week home final. Better system.
Click to expand...

That's called ground scheduling idiot.

In the first week of finals in AFL:

you finish 3rd, you play away,
you finish 6th, you play at home.
 
lockyno1

lockyno1

Post Whore
Messages
53,348
Yes but that is how it should be. In my view it should be that way. Lets take this years semis as a example:

QUALIFYING FINALS
Mel vs Newcastle (Olympic Park)
Dogs vs. Bris (Telstra)

ELIMINATION FINALS
Sea Eagles vs Eels (Brookvale)
Dragons vs Raiders (OKI Jubilee)

The top 4 sides have a definate 2nd chance, and the winners of the QUALIFYING FINALS get home Preliminary finals. It is a much bigger reward for coming in the top 4. IMO with the current system Melbourne despite being 8 points ahead in the minor premiership will be forced to play a preliminary final in Sydney. It is silly and it hardly rewards Melbourne at all. The AFL System whilst it has flaws (every system does) it has less flaws than the current McIntyre model.
 
lockyno1

lockyno1

Post Whore
Messages
53,348
Kurt Angle said:
That's called ground scheduling idiot.

In the first week of finals in AFL:

you finish 3rd, you play away,
you finish 6th, you play at home.
Click to expand...

Yes but if you come 3rd and lose, you play a home semi final the week after. It still rewards a top 4 finish.
 
Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle

First Grade
Messages
9,729
You finish 3rd, you play a team ranked higher than you, so you most likely lose.. and you take the momentum of losing a game, against a team that has momentum of a team that won a game.
 
Ron Jeremy

Ron Jeremy

Coach
Messages
25,676
Top 8 is a great system, it keeps interest alive all the way.

The only problem is the Mc intyre system.

I reckon go the AFL system, atleast the better sides are rewarded better.

Last year was terrible, Parra and Saints were the two best teams, yet they never recieved any benefits from the system, if they had a second bite at the cherry they would've been in the GF, the week off doesn't do sides justice sometimes as co-ordination, match fitness etc can go astray, even after 1 week!
 
Y2Eel

Y2Eel

First Grade
Messages
8,176
Ron Jeremy said:
Top 8 is a great system, it keeps interest alive all the way.

The only problem is the Mc intyre system.

I reckon go the AFL system, atleast the better sides are rewarded better.

Last year was terrible, Parra and Saints were the two best teams, yet they never recieved any benefits from the system, if they had a second bite at the cherry they would've been in the GF, the week off doesn't do sides justice sometimes as co-ordination, match fitness etc can go astray, even after 1 week!
Click to expand...

But you could also say with the NRL system the top teams are rewarded by playing the lower teams.... They are similar they only get a chance in the first week ... the only diff teams 1 & 2 in the nrl cannot be knocked out in the first week, and only teams 5-8 can be in the afl
 
Mr Saab

Mr Saab

Referee
Messages
27,762
Y2Eel said:
how did the top 5 finals work?

1 gets first week off while 2v3 4v5 winner 2v3 play team 1 loser plays winner of 4v5...

and then winner of 1v2/3 goes to gf while loser plays the winner of the other game?
Click to expand...

Thats right..and it was a great system.
 
Mr Saab

Mr Saab

Referee
Messages
27,762
Dont want to see another top 10..we had one in 1998 and, whilst it produced some great semis, it was basically a farce.
1994 was the last of the final 5 series and one of the top 3 of all time semis series.
 
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