Fair Fixture Models

More than 12 months ago I began developing fixture models that would be fair to all 17 AFL clubs during the 2011 season and all 18 AFL clubs for the 2012 season and beyond.

Detailed explanations of the following fixture models are provided on this site:

• 3 year period 18 Club Fixture Model
• 17 Club Fixture Model
• Pre-season Fixture Model for 17 clubs and 18 clubs

Summary of 3 year period 18 Club Fixture Model

Over the 3 year period each AFL club plays every other club four times comprised of two home games and two away games.  The three year period would consist of two home and away seasons with 23 rounds and one home and away season with 22 rounds. In the home and away season with 22 rounds State of Origin matches would be played on the extra weekend. To prevent the nine clubs that play 12 home games in every 23 round home and away season gaining a slight advantage over the nine clubs that played 11 home games, 1 of the 12 home games for each of these nine clubs would be designated a neutral game. The clubs that are played twice during a season would be determined by ranking each of the AFL clubs on recent on-field performances.

With the expansion to an 18 club competition in 2012 the opportunity exists for all AFL clubs to be treated equally in terms of the opposition clubs they play and where they play them over a three year period. The AFL clubs would no longer be able to complain about matters such as not getting enough home games against Collingwood and having too many interstate trips to Subiaco as over the three year period each club would play Collingwood four times including two home games and would also play four matches at Subiaco, two against West Coast and two against Fremantle.

Dean Andrews

July 2010