2021 Senior Finals Systems confirmed
Following a period of consultation with its member clubs, AFL Outer East Wishes to provide the following update for Senior Football and Netball.
Division 2 Football & Netball
Following extensive consultation with Division 2 clubs, the rounds missed during lockdown (R7 & R8) will replace the originally published Rounds of R15 and R16.
The original Division 2 fixture saw clubs playing two opponents 3 times. This alteration will see each club play each other Home & Away over a 14-round season. Multiple options were presented to clubs, with this system unanimously endorsed by clubs.
Rounds 15 & 16 will now be fixtured as:
Division 2 will remain as a Top 5 system.
The U17 Saturday football competition will remain as a 3 week Top 4 system.
Finals dates remain as originally published. Beginning on Sat 21-8-21.
Premier and Division 1 Football & Netball
Clubs in Premier Division and Division 1 have voted to move to a Top 6 system for season 2021
Missed games will not be replayed and are registered as washouts in line with our Covid interruption by laws.
How does the Top 6 system work?
* Rank = Ladder position.
Were the clubs consulted?
The clubs were presented multiple options, including staying under the previous system, as well as a variety of top 6 models and the systems implemented were those preferred by the majority of clubs.
Why a top 6?
The commission looked at all possible scenarios, including shortening the senior finals to extend the season. The following were key considerations in making the decision:
- Unlike Division 2, the later start and finish to Premier Division and Division 1 provided no additional weeks were available to repeat fixtures without extending into October.
- A Top 6 system can be played over 3 or 4 weeks and allows us to shorten the finals series if another disruption occurs. A top 5 system cannot be played over 3 weeks.
- The top 6 removed potential inequity in the fixture through lost games, as sides who were in contention for a final 5 are now still in finals contention.
- The commission wanted to maintain integrity in finals and its position is removing a finals place (moving to a top 4) mid-season was more detrimental to clubs than adding one.
- With no football in season 2020, it was the commissions desire to provide as many players the opportunity to play finals as possible.
What about the financial impact of clubs not repeating home games?
- The league has refunded all clubs for lost games, including vision and umpires.
- Clubs who lost two home games will host at least one day of senior finals or through hosting the Veterans/Women’s Grand finals
- The league is working with individual clubs severely impacted on possible solutions within the home and away fixture
Will the Top 6 be used in the Junior Netball competitions too?
Yes, Junior Netball grades will play this system as well and keep their finals alignments – Blue’s are aligned with the Premier finals dates and White’s are aligned with the Division 1 dates.
Does the league itself benefit by introducing a Top 6 system?
No, moving to the top 6 system we are using provides no financial benefit to the league, as it has the same number of games as the top 5 system used.
Finals dates remain as originally published – Division 1 beginning on Sunday 29-8-21 and Premier beginning on Sat 4-9-21.
Women’s and Veterans
The Women’s and Veterans competitions will remain as originally published at the beginning of the season.
Both the Women’s Division Grand Finals and the Veterans Grand Final will be played together on Sunday the 8-8-21.
All Finals Venues will be announced in the coming weeks.
