AFL’s manic three-week window to decide the season

Reigning premiers Richmond and the Western Bulldogs kickstart a stretch where the AFL will squeeze four rounds into less than three weeks.

Lions head coach Chris Fagan talks to Mitch Robinson after Brisbane’s win over Melbourne on the Gold Coast on Sunday night. Picture: Getty Images

Mental strength and tactical acumen, as much as physical recovery, will be crucial for clubs hoping to successfully negotiate the AFL’s fast-tracked football bonanza over the next three weeks.

The next phase of the fixture, which will see several clubs play four matches in 20 days, is a critical juncture likely to make or break hopes for making the 2020 finals.

Only two games separate Port Adelaide and Brisbane in equal-first from the 12th placed GWS Giants, while the 13th placed Demons still have a match in hand to come against Essendon as well.

Collingwood, Richmond and the Giants, which are three of the six clubs listed in single-figure odds to claim the premiership, sit either on the fringe of the eight or just outside it.

A club that holds or elevates their position during this period will clearly be well-placed to feature strongly in the finals, according to Brisbane coach Chris Fagan.

“There is an opportunity in everything and there is no doubt in the next three weeks, if you can come out of it with a couple of wins, that will place you in a really good position and I think every team will be looking at that,” Fagan said.

“It is probably more do or die in a sense for those teams that are just outside the eight and striving to get their way back in. It is a golden opportunity for them, but it could be that in the space of two to three weeks, season over, so it is a big space for some teams.”

The challenges will be different for teams through the 20-day sprint.

The Eagles, who claimed outright premiership favouritism at $5 after thrashing Collingwood by 66 points on Sunday night in Perth, are among the six clubs to have a bye during the stanza.

This will allow West Coast to play only once a week through the period at the pace of a regular season while also training and playing at home.

Geelong, in comparison, have completed quarantine in Western Australia.

After their clash against Fremantle on Monday night to complete Round 8, they have a six-day break before meeting the Eagles next Sunday night in Perth.

But then the demands become hectic.

On Wednesday, August 5 they play North Melbourne at the Gabba, before matches against St Kilda on Monday, August 10 and Port Adelaide on Friday, August 14.
The physical demands of playing matches off repeated four-to-five day breaks are unprecedented in the AFL. It is the reason shorter quarters were introduced for 2020.

Fagan said clubs will implement a recovery schedule, as opposed to a training program, over the next four weeks.

But the other challenge is identifying and preparing tactically for different opponents.

With physical training restricted to enable as much recovery as possible between matches, players will be asked to implement strategies in matches they have not been able to practise.

“It is going to test their mental skills in regards to the tactics and skills of the game without being able to practice it,” Fagan said on SEN.

In terms of the physical challenge, the next phase of the fixture is likely to test the depth of a squad as opposed to simply the best 22 from week-to-week.

The second-placed Lions will attempt to field their best team where possible, though Fagan conceded veteran defender Grant Birchall may be rested at some stage.

We sit equal-first with Port Adelaide on top of the ladder after downing the Demons in a thriller tonight!

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) July 26, 2020

The Western Bulldogs, who are equal-third, face the eighth-placed Richmond on Wednesday night at Metricon Stadium in a crucial game given the evenness of the season.

Midfielder Jack Macrae does not believe the reigning premiers, which could regain captain Trent Cotchin, are vulnerable despite a recent spate of injuries.

The Bulldogs face Port Adelaide and Brisbane in Rounds 10 and 11 in an important period for their premiership hopes.

“They are three teams that are right at the top of the ladder. You can’t ask for a bigger challenge over the next four weeks,” he said.

“It’s obviously going to be pretty taxing for all the clubs and how each club manages it is going to be different.”

"We've found a good balance."

🎥 @JacksonMacrae spoke to the media ahead of his 150th game. Have a listen 👇#MightyWest

— Western B_lldogs (@westernbulldogs) July 27, 2020

Collingwood’s depth is already being tested given the absence of stars Jordan de Goey and Jeremy Howe.

They received a further blow with scans revealing that captain Scott Pendlebury has strained a quadricep muscle, which could see him miss at least two games.