AFL backs new short-form game to thrive without prizemoney in first year of new series

CLUBS have been asked to help grow the AFLX series without the lure of a big cash incentive in 2018 as the game’s biggest names look set to skip the new concept.

THE AFL won’t offer prizemoney to the winners of the inaugural AFLX series next month.

League football operations boss Steve Hocking has told player representatives there would be no extra money on offer in the series which will run in three different states on February 15-17.

It was widely believed the AFL would put up significant cash prizes in the vicinity of $10,000 per player to help draw the game’s biggest stars to play in the new seven-a-side competition.

YOUNG GUNS: WHY WE SHOULD BE AFLX-CITED

NEW GAME: WHICH PAST & PRESENT STARS WOULD LOVE AFLX

But the league has called on clubs and players to show faith in the concept in the crucial first phase next month, without dangling the prizemoney carrot.

While the league is hopeful the franchise stars will take part, there is a realistic view clubs are likely to showcase a lot of their younger players and prized draft picks.

Clubs are still developing their selection policies but are unlikely to risk some of their biggest names in the exhibition matches.

Richmond's Dustin Martin. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield.

The AFL said it would reconsider offering prizemoney or cash incentives to the best players following a review of the maiden AFLX.

It means players and fans may reap in the potential rewards if it takes off in coming years.

The AFL was encouraged by the results of some early AFLX trial games involving Geelong, North Melbourne and St Kilda.

The high-speed game will be played on a smaller rectangular field in Adelaide, Sydney Melbourne.

Geelong coach Chris Scott threw his strong support behind the concept last month, but said there would “probably (be) less contact” in the modified game.

“But that’s not necessarily by design. It’s just a function of the fact the ball moves so quickly,” Scott said.

“There’s a trend across the world of shortening games and smaller teams, and shorter games for the viewer as well.

“And I think at junior level, I think it just makes so much sense for 10-year-olds to be playing on smaller fields with fewer numbers on the field.”

Sam Menegola tackles Zach Tuohy. Picture: Alan Barber

AFLX will also act as a replacement for the third pre-season game which was scrapped in consultation with clubs late last year.

Teams will play the AFLX Series plus two JLT pre-season games each from February 24 to March 11 and as a warm-up for the 2018 home-and-away campaign.

In 2008, the AFL increased its prizemoney for the NAB pre-season series to $350,000, but clubs were reluctant to field their strongest line-ups.

There are high hopes football’s new frontier will appeal to families and new audiences including potential overseas markets.

It could also be used to help bolster the league’s broadcast rights and sweeten other commercial deals and allow the AFL to trial and drive new fan engagement initiatives.

The league is exploring various options including playing music throughout the games, other forms of entertainment on the playing arena such as performers and fireworks, and grouping fans of the same clubs in the same seating bays.

Cricket’s investment in its short-form game Twenty20 has paid enormous dividends with the three-hour matches exploding in popularity around the world.