By Phil Murton – EFL CEO
With the half way mark of all competitions now past us, it’s that important time of the year when some clubs start working towards securing a finals position or the all-important double chance, while for others it’s about getting some wins on the board to avoid a relegation fight.
As we do the rounds talking to clubs and supporters on a weekly basis, one topic of conversation related to this that is often brought up is the structure of our competition. As you know, we have 44 senior clubs split into four divisions comprising 12, 10, 12 and 10 teams. We haven’t got to this point by design, it’s more a natural evolution of some clubs joining the league and Canterbury leaving that has left us with this structure. The question often asked is, “is this the best structure?”
In answering the question, it’s worth considering what peoples’ motivation to play or be involved in local footy is? You’d know why you’re involved but for me it was about being part of a group of like-minded people, building something to try and achieve as a collective. And it’s the moments that matter. Not necessarily premierships, but the hard fought finals qualification, the against-the-odds home and away win, or the milestone game for a much loved club stalwart. Games that matter.
One of my strongest footy memories is my third game of senior footy at Surrey Hills in Division One of the then EDFL in 1990, defeating Ringwood at home in round 17 to avoid relegation. The place went crazy!
In talking, most people are of the view that trying to get everyone to play everyone twice is the most important area to address. While the seeded draw used in our 12 team competitions is the fairest way to construct a fixture where each team can’t play each other twice, there’s a perception it gives some teams an easier ride. But that is more about luck, and which two of the four teams from other pools you are drawn against, as you end up playing six games against teams from each of the three pools. Without stating the obvious, playing every team twice can only be achieved with competitions of 10 or fewer teams. And with 8 team competitions, if you play 18 rounds teams end up playing other teams three times? Does this compromise the fixture in the same way not playing twice does?
Under our current structure we have 18 teams play finals, three promoted and three relegated. So each season there are 23 teams, or over half the competition, who neither play finals or get relegated. This is a lot. If being involved is about being involved in games that matter, do we have too many clubs each year “treading water”, not being close to finals and often not close to relegation?
The idea of “two up, two down” has been floated but clubs have been pretty consistent in their view that they don’t want to go up without winning a flag, something we can understand given the jump in some cases is significant. And the numbers support this, showing that after you’ve lost a grand final, you’re about a 70% of winning one in the next three years.
So is the current 12, 10, 12, 10 the best structure?
Or if we stay as four divisions should it be 10, 12, 12, 10, with expanded finals series?
Or do we need to get to five divisions to get more teams playing finals, grand finals, winning flags, and at the other end, being relegated. All of these things bring positives for the clubs involved so do we need to find a way to make it work.
Would 10, 10, 8, 8, 8 work?
Or 10, 10, 10, and 14 split across two conferences, each with their own premiership, in our lowest grade?
What is the best structure for the senior competition moving forward? Does 12,10,12,10 work the best our does something need to change – have your say below!