Clubs urged to accept five-day breaks to solve AFL’s fixturing problems

THE AFL and the players union are at odds over a bid to save next year’s fixture, with players demanding a second bye in return for shorter breaks between matches.

UPDATE: THE AFL and the players union are at odds over a bid to save next year’s AFL fixture with five-day breaks.

Allocating each club a shorter break has emerged as an option to fix scheduling problems.

But the players have indicated that in return they will ask for a second bye during the season — a move that is not on the league’s radar.

“I know the players would like one. I haven’t got any advice that is something we are looking at,” AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said on Thursday.

“Anything is possible, but I don’t think it’s on the cards. We are trying to balance broadcast demands and contracts. The players would love a second bye but there is a challenge with a lot of agreements at the moment.

“We are comfortable with one bye during the season.”

“(Five-day breaks) give flexibility and it means that flexibility can have a huge impact on the games you put in certain slots.

“As an example, the Anzac Day and Anzac Eve games, we have Richmond, Melbourne, Collingwood and Essendon all going well.

“They are Friday night teams and you are taking out a number of teams. With a five-day break as a one-off, you have the flexibility to change that much quicker.”

WANTED MAN: SAINTS CONFIRM INTEREST IN GAFF

HOPES: HOW YOUR TEAM CAN WIN IT ALL

Five-day breaks would give the league flexibility to lock teams into blockbuster Friday slots after playing the previous Sunday.

“Five-day breaks are the panacea for a lot of the problems with the fixture,” a club boss told the Herald Sun.

“If everyone copped one you could get through.”

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has confirmed the league is looking at five-day breaks for 2019. Picture: Luke Bowden

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan confirmed the plan was being explored by the game’s competition committee.

“I know the guys are seeing whether clubs are up for it,” McLachlan said.

“It might help with Friday nights.”

McLachlan said the existing schedule of seven Thursday night games was “about the right number” but shorter breaks would open the door for as many as 10.

The AFL Players’ Association secured agreement for minimum six-day breaks in the bumper collective bargaining agreement struck with head office last year.

But AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh last night indicated players were prepared to consider five days.

“We are open to any discussions that help grow the game, however, five-day breaks present a challenge for players and clubs regarding the physical workload of players and therefore increased risk of injury,” Marsh said.

“Currently the CBA restricts the AFL’s ability to schedule five-day breaks other than Anzac Day, therefore any potential future changes to this could only be considered if we can find a way to offset these increased risks of workload and injury.”

AFLPA boss Paul Marsh says the players’ union would be prepared to listen to the AFL’s proposal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

A potential circuit-breaker could involve the AFL relenting to the player union’s demands for a second in-season bye, instead of the league’s preferred pre-finals break.

Marsh is currently meeting with all 18 playing groups to discuss various issues, including the concept of five-day breaks.

McLachlan said shorter breaks would help the rectify complex fixturing issues.

“It could also help out with Anzac Day and Anzac Day Eve and getting those four teams back into those slots and getting them back into synch instead of doing that over multiple weeks,” he said.

“I think we have the right amount of Thursday games. We are not looking to put too many more Thursday games into the fixture.”

The AFL has been slammed for its Friday night fixturing this year, featuring cellar-dweller Carlton four times, while the experimental Good Friday clash is also set for a shake-up.

North Melbourne has played in the first two Good Friday games against the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.

Sydney coach John Longmire last week bemoaned the club’s eighth six-day break of the season before his team went down to Essendon. Picture: AAP

Sydney coach John Longmire last week bemoaned the club’s eighth six-day break of the season before his team went down to Essendon.

Yesterday’s Herald Sun revealed resurgent Collingwood was set to be rewarded with extra Friday night games in 2019.

The AFL has also added an extra week to the two-week annual Christmas break for all players, club staff and coaches.

Clubs will decide which three-week block to take during the December-January holiday period.

Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >