A draw has happened for the first time in AFL and we are unlikely to ever see one again in our lifetimes. The media thrives on strife and they are at their best and very worst when fomenting 'controversy' to gain an audience. Channel X makes it happen, right, so of course there is a 'controversy'?

It is very worrying that it is so easy for the tabloids and shock jocks to whip up the baying mob. It must remind the now-greying youth of the Sixties how easy it was back when for the chicken hawks in the Liberal party to convince the 'punters', that young men had to die to stop dominoes from falling at the hands of the 'communists'.

The first aim of any sport is not to have a winner, a coin toss could do that, but to engage in an enjoyable contest that stretches the players to do their limits and allows the few lucky ones to show brilliance. Brilliance is not possible with the support of the very valuable team members who support and set up opportunities. More importantly, brilliance or even a good contest is not possible without an opponent who is equal to the task of enabling players to show their best.

This is what is promoted all of the way through AFL, that it is not about playing for sheep stations, the players on both sides are worthy of accolade and the fair contest is all that matters.

cont..

contd..

Fans and the public were fortunate to witness a draw and anyone who paid for a ticket got his moneys worth, if that is a consideration. It is a long-standing tradition and policy of the AFL and the VFL before it that a draw is enough for the day and rather than force a result through count backs, or fortunes throughout the season, a re-match would occur.

For one, I am rejoicing at the opportunity to see two great teams play again However both teams should have been celebrated as equal victors last weekend and given a medal for it, with the final game to decide the Premiership. That is what the teams and spectators missed, some formal recognition, however small, a lasting memento of the magnificent contest they might only be treated to once in a lifetime.

"Play up! Play up! And play the game!"
Henry Newbolt 1897

Cornflower

The first draw in an Aussie Rules Grand Final was in 1948, then another in 1977, the one last weekend being the third.

I agree with MC - 10 minutes at each end of the oval, should produce a winner.

A Grand Final replay is only good for the AFL corporates - they get to clean up from more ticket sales.

The Saints and the Magpies played their very best - it was one of the best games of football I have ever seen. I hope that can both teams do it again this Saturday with a Saints win of course.

:)

I reckon leave it as a draw. That way, that old cliche about Aussie rules football being the winner on the day, might actually have some substance.

Golden point is not much different to a shoot-out for me. Like I said, I’d prefer that they play for stipulated timeframes, until one team is a winner at the end of official time. Grand Finals, Test Games, and State of Origin games, are games of physical and mental endurance, more than football skills, so let the result be determined by that, not a shoot-out or golden point. They’ve all got the skills, but it’s about the mental and physical toughness at these levels of these sports, which is why it’s so tough to win a Grand Final before losing one.

Golden point came about from a State of Origin series that ended in a draw on the third and final game, leaving the series hung at 1-1. It’s the only State of Origin game I’ve been to, and I gotta say, the crowd was bitterly disappointed in no result. And that was what instigated golden point. But it panders to TV programming, IMO, rather than the spirit of the game.

As far as using the positioning on the table at the end of the Premiership, again becomes anti-climactic for both players and the patrons. You watch a Grand Final to see the remaining qualifying two teams battle it out for supremacy. A result that only that day and match can give, so let the two teams demonstrate their supremacy at the game, not at count-backs, golden points, shoot-outs or tiddly winks. Who will stand tall at the end of stipulated time at PLAYING THE GAME?

like you it is not my game rechtub.
Skills crowds commitment are great.
But why a replay.
Lets think of this weekends side that gos down and its fans.
Last weekend deserved a reward for both teams surely.
Dragons by 15.