North Melbourne refuse to criticise AFL over lopsided AFLW conference system that cost it finals berth

North Melbourne has been knocked out of the AFLW finals race despite winning five games in its debut season — more wins than every team in conference B — yet coach Scott Gowans is taking the high road.

North Melbourne won’t play in the AFLW finals despite winning five games. Picture: AFL Media

North Melbourne coach Scott Gowans has refused to criticise the AFL’s lopsided conference system despite it costing his team a spot in the AFLW finals but supporters haven’t been as kind.

The Kangaroos were knocked out of the competition on Saturday night after being defeated by Fremantle by 27 points in Perth.

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It means the expansion side won’t feature in the two-week finals series starting next weekend despite winning five games in their debut season.

The lopsided conference system means two Conference B teams will play finals despite winning less games.

North Melbourne won’t play in the AFLW finals despite winning five games. Picture: AFL Media

Carlton, who will finish with four wins if it defeats Western Bulldogs today, Geelong (three wins) and Brisbane (must record its third win today over Collingwood to qualify) are the teams still in contention.

North Melbourne also has a far superior percentage at 123.1.

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Melbourne has also been a victim of the conference system, finishing fourth in Conference A with four wins and a healthy percentage of 111.2.

Adelaide and Fremantle have qualified for the finals from Conference A.

“We knew exactly what the conference system was and what we had to do,” Gowans said.

“It’s not like it was made up two weeks ago.”

Emma Kearney’s Kangaroos were knocked out of AFLW finals contention by Fremantle.

The conference system has been widely criticised this season when it became evident early in the season there was a clear imbalance as the best teams — Adelaide, Fremantle, North Melbourne, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs — were all in conference A.

With four new teams — Richmond, St Kilda, West Coast and Gold Coast — to be introduced next season, the AFL could change its set up for 2020.

Gowans said he’d support the model the AFL chooses.

“There’s a lot of challenges with making up the competition and how it’s run,” Gowans said.

“It’s a tough job. There’s no way the AFL sat there and thought, ‘How can we not have the best teams playing in the finals system?’

“It is what it is.”

The conference system was slammed on social media following the North Melbourne result, with many venting their frustration.

Melbourne coach Mick Stinear called for an “honest and robust” review of the AFLW season after his team was also knocked out despite a 4-3 win-loss record.

The clusterf*** with AFLW conferences just so avoidable. Cheapens the entire season and impacts its integrity when Roos miss finals at 5-2 and great percentage. In a year where the actual standard of footy has jumped significantly

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) March 16, 2019

What a shame that the first year #AFLW has more than one round of finals it’s been ruined by a conference system that wasn’t needed. North Melbourne not featuring in finals is ridiculous. Very disappointing

— Kate Salemme (@KateSalemme) March 16, 2019

Exciting to enter the #AFLW finals knowing the first, second, fifth and sixth best teams have a shot at the title. Conferences in the AFL anybody?

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) March 16, 2019

The #AFLW conference system is not a mistake in hindsight. But a mind bogglingly obvious mistake at the time it was introduced. No reasoning at all. It’s actually ruined the #AFLW season.

— Tom Basso (@TheTomBasso) March 16, 2019

The conference system is an absolute must to get rid of #AFLW

— Chris Marulli (@Marulz_23) March 16, 2019

@aflwomens finals system is a disgrace! It's that simple! @AFLcomau @AFL #AFLW

— Jags (@adamjaeger32) March 16, 2019

@aflwomens & @AFL I would like to congratulate you on creating a system tht sees the 5th and 6th ranked teams play finals and the 3rd and 4th ranked teams miss out.
Professional sport with Mickey Mouse Administration. #AFLW

— Jory Linscott (@JoryLinscott) March 16, 2019

Haven’t followed much @aflwomens but what the @afl has done with this conference system is a disgrace. That @NorthAFLW has more wins than anyone in Conference B, 3rd most in a 10 team competition and misses finals is farcical. Nicole Livingston under a lot of pressure. #aflw

— Michael Johnson (@japanesejohno) March 16, 2019

Originally published as North Melbourne refuse to criticise AFL over lopsided AFLW conference system that cost it finals berth