AFL could introduce 17-5 fixture for 2018 season

THE AFL hasn’t ruled out overhauling the format of next year’s fixture and is still considering the merits of a radical 17-5 fixture model.

Richmond and Carlton will face off in Round 1. Picture: George Salpigtidis

THE AFL hasn’t ruled out overhauling the format of next year’s fixture and is still considering the merits of a 17-5 fixture model.

League executive Travis Auld is heading up a working party that includes representatives from the AFL and its clubs to consider a number of alternative fixture formats.

And while he conceded on Tuesday that bringing about change from the current model in time for next season would need some work, it isn’t out of the question.

“(The AFL has) not necessarily (ruled out a change for next year), but we’d need to get to a position in the next few months, I would’ve thought, if we’re going to make any drastic changes for ’18,” Auld said.

“Gill (AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan) likes to push things. We’ve seen that with the women’s competition, that it’s never too late.

“We’re going pretty hard at the moment to see if we’re going to make some changes.”

A 17-5 format could see teams play every opposition outfit once before the competition is split into subsections with each team playing the final five rounds against the other teams in its section.

It would likely be divided based on ladder positions with teams to play out five weeks of “playoff” rounds to determine final ladder standings.

Auld said there is “a whole series of formats to look at”.

“We’re into that process. It will take some time,” he said.

“It’s incredibly complicated. There’s a lot of impacts of changing our fixture but we want to give it some real consideration.

“Perhaps it ends up where it is or perhaps we change it, but it’s too early to tell.”

Auld launched the pre-­season JLT Community Series, which starts on Thursday night, saying the league was confident the series would play out without industrial action.

Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury recently said he would consider a sit-down protest during a pre-season game in support of the players’ case.

But Auld said there had “been no indication of that” ­occurring in coming weeks.

“We are meeting regularly with them (AFL Players’ Asso­ciation), we are making progress, so with that being the case, I don’t foresee any ­issues,” he said.

The Herald Sun reported last week that the opposing sides were closing in on a negotiated settlement.