AFL coaches are all aligned on the competitors being “uneven” and Sydney coach John Longmire needs the AFL to finish the 2024 anomaly of groups having fun with two byes earlier than others have had their first.
The ladder-leading Swans, in addition to the Giants and Brisbane Lions, have all had their two byes for the season, having every performed a crew but to get their first break in an prolonged 25-round fixture that included the “Opening Spherical” involving simply eight groups.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon on Wednesday mentioned the state of affairs was ”irritating”, along with his crew amongst these but to have a break, additionally talking in regards to the “inequities” throughout the competitors like not having a “complete state” to decide on gamers for its subsequent technology academy.
Longmire, who pointed to journey components for his facet and different non-Victorian sides as one other issue to be thought-about, conceded the uneven draw was one thing the AFL might management.
“I’m certain they’ll be taking a look at that for subsequent yr,” Longmire mentioned.
“Everybody forgets that we went from two or three observe video games straight into the season. We went straight in and we had a nine-week block there that was fairly stable. We didn’t have that bye firstly of the season that different groups had.
“However even that, I feel subsequent yr it wouldn’t be excellent if groups had two byes and a few hadn’t had one once more. I feel in an uneven competitors that’s acquired disparities in all places with journey and residential floor benefits and all of that.
“It’s not a fair competitors. Anybody that claims it’s, isn’t speaking sense. However that may very well be one factor that perhaps we will management as a contest that could be value occupied with subsequent yr.”
St Kilda will will get its first bye subsequent weekend, having performed 13 video games, and Lyon mentioned it was one of many many “irritating” issues golf equipment like his needed to take care of. He additionally pointed to the “inequities” in drafting that gave golf equipment just like the Swans the prospect to plunder all of NSW for expertise earlier than the draft after which concessions when it got here time to choose them.
“It’s not excellent. The AFL is attempting to create greatest for followers, and I feel that’s the start line. We simply take care of it. It’s irritating,” Lyon mentioned of the lopsided draw.
“Inside this competitors, I don’t suppose we’ve had too many handouts.
“We don’t have a complete state for NGA (Subsequent Era Academies). While you speak about inequities, it’s a must to watch out.
“You may have to take a look at what you’re getting in comparison with the others.”
