Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley says introduction of secondary tournament would help reduce ‘competitive advantage’ in AFL

An in-season AFL tournament similar to the NBA Cup would ensure a “fairer” fixture schedule, according to a Brisbane Lions star.

Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley has backed the idea of an in-season tournament, believing it would not only create excitement but also help reduce the “competitive advantage” that exists in the AFL.

Reportedly discussed last week at a meeting of club chief executives, a lucrative secondary tournament, similar to the NBA Cup concept, is apparently being considered for 2028 when Tasmania enters the competition .

It would lead to clubs playing each other only once in the regular season, most likely in addition to Gather Round and Rivalry Round matches.

“It’d be great,” Dunkley said on Tuesday.

“If we can play every team once and then have a little in-season tournament, like the NBA do … it’d be really exciting for the competition.”

Dunkley said it would also lead to a “fairer” regular season schedule that was compromised by all teams not playing each other the same amount of times.

Lions vice-captain Josh Dunkley says an in-season tournament would be ‘exciting’ for the competition. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“When you play everyone once, it’s good, it’s fair, and you get to see how you go against opposition in one game,” he said.

“At the moment, there are times where we’re playing different teams and other teams are playing different teams, and the competitive advantage is always a bit of a question mark for a lot of people.

“For us, it’s about playing the best, and everyone, once, and then that mid-season tournament would be pretty cool.”

Dunkley also supported the introduction of a wildcard finals round and the return of State of Origin football.

“(This year) we saw the Indigenous All-Stars play that game before the season started, and that was really exciting,” he said.

“To be able to do that across the states of origin that you can represent, and go back to your state and enjoy that moment with other players that are from similar areas, that’s priceless.

“I’m not sure the time of year that it’s played, but if it is played mid-season, it’d be exciting.”

Former Western Bulldog Dunkley and the second-placed Lions are chasing a hat-trick of wins when they meet struggling Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

The Blues are in 12th place on the ladder with just six wins from 16 games, with pressure mounting on coach Michael Voss, who captained the Lions to three successive premierships from 2001 to 2003.

Josh Dunkley and Lions are chasing a hat-trick of wins on Thursday night. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I’ve experienced when you’re a bit under pressure at a Melbourne footy club, and it is hard, but you also (feel) there’s nothing to lose,” said Dunkley in anticipation of a desperate Blues performance.

“That element of their mental thinking behind the game will be that their backs are against the wall. They’ve got nothing to lose, so we’ve got to really prepare for that.

“You get the best footy out of teams when they’re thinking like that, and they’ve got that freedom in their game, so we’re going to have to be on edge on Thursday night because they’ll be rocking up, and we know that they’ll play their best footy.”

The Brisbane vice-captain said the Lions would relish another road trip, having lost just once in eight games outside of Queensland this season, as well as winning three successive matches interstate in last year’s finals series to clinch the premiership.

“We love getting away together. We talk about our brotherhood, our mateship, and relationships that we have, not only as players but with the staff and the coaches,” Dunkley said.

“It’s been nice to be able to have a good record, but we don’t really look at that. We look at what we’re facing this week, and that’s the Blues, who will be red-hot.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley says introduction of secondary tournament would help reduce ‘competitive advantage’ in AFL