The AFL will continue to explore a radical 17-5 fixture model

It might not happen any time soon, but the AFL has confirmed it is looking at a potential 17-5 fixture that, once every team has played each other once, will split the ladder into three conferences.

Gillon McLachlan at the MCG. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The AFL says it will continue to explore a possible 17-5 fixture but admits a solution could be a long way off.

The league is interested in a fixture system where, once every team has played each other once, the ladder is split into three conferences.

It would mean the top-six, middle-six and bottom-six teams each play each other once in the run home to the finals.

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Gillon McLachlan and the AFL are still exploring a 17-5 fixture model. Picture: Alex Coppel.

While it would create a more even and interesting last part of the season, AFL fixture boss Travis Auld said it was something the league was still working on.

“I don’t think (it will happen) anytime soon,” Auld said.

“I think there is something there, I don’t know what it looks like.

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“We think a lot about a lot of different concepts.

“I don’t know the answer, we will continue to explore it.”

There have been calls to shorten the season from a 23-round fixture but Auld said the league wasn’t currently considering slashing the number of games in a season.

Originally published as The AFL will continue to explore a radical 17-5 fixture model