Football legend Matthew Richardson called on the AFL to drop contentious rule after historic first final erasure
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Footy legend Matthew Richardson says AFL will be under pressure to drop controversial week off leading to final after historic final playoff
Richardson’s call came as Channel 7’s Luke Darcy said it was the first time in « history » that two teams – Richmond and Geelong – had both won until the grand final after losing earlier in the finals series
The top two clubs at the end of the regular season, Port Adelaide and Brisbane, were both knocked out in their qualifiers for the grand final after winning their qualifying final and taking another week off
In recent years where teams with a week off in the Finals have repeatedly struggled to win the prelims, Richardson said the debate would start again after the loss of Power and Lions
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The AFL introduced the controversial week off before the start of the Finals series in 2016 in an attempt to prevent clubs from resting star players for Matchday 23 before the final
Since its introduction, teams that have won the qualifying finals and taken a second week off after progressing straight to the prelims have only won four of the 10 prelims contested, including the loss of both games this season
« I would be surprised if that happens again next year because I don’t think it benefits the teams that win this first week, » he said
« You worked so hard that year for the double chance You win, go to a preliminary stage and you only play one game per month It’s clear tonight that the two teams that are supposed to profit from Brisbane and Port Adelaide didn’t really get it »
Darcy said this will become a priority for the AFL after pointing out that the Cats and Tigers will make history in Saturday’s grand final, as the first time the AFL will have two grand finalists lost in of the final
He said it was clear that the two weeks off in the span of four weeks had an impact on the dynamics of Port Adelaide and Brisbane
« This is the first time in the history of the game that both teams have qualified for a lost grand final. This has never happened before »
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Australian Football League, Brisbane Lions, Matthew Richardson, Geelong Football Club, AFL Grand Final, Richmond Football Club, Luke Darcy
World news – UA – Matthew Richardson sets fire to to a controversial rule after the finals turned over their heads
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
