Paul Roos Smashes The AFL's Proposed Fixture Revamp

"I just think it's ridiculous."


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Paul Roos has slammed the idea of the 17-5 fixture the AFL is considering.

The fixture would see the ladder split after 17 rounds into three groups of six, creating more incentive for teams at the bottom end of the ladder to play for draft spots or possible wildcard finals spots.

Jay Clark brought the news up on the Sunday Rub.

"Roosy, I see you shaking your head," Clarky laughed.

He was right: Roos wasn't too stoked.

"One of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard in my life, and I'm 53 years of age," he said on Triple M.

"Why play the season then? Why don't we just go to the last six weeks and we'll split up the teams from the ladder before.

"The season is a war of attrition, the season is the best eight teams at the end of the season playing in finals."

Roos wondered why he AFL needed to be so concerned about the bottom six teams, suggesting the AFL is really trying to flatten tanking.

He said a draft lottery would sort out any interest - or disinterest - in the lower-placed sides.

"I'm not sure why we have to worry about the bottom six teams," he said.

"Think of the lottery in the NBA...bring in a lottery.

"In the same breath...if it doesn't exist (tanking), why are you bringing in these new rules?"

Roos admitted it is tricky cramming 18 teams into a fair fixture, but said this wasn't the solution.

"I just think it's ridiculous," he said.

"I don't see any point in changing it."

23 April 2017




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