Is the state of the table this year a reflection that maybe we shouldn't have a six-team finals? The table would suggest we have one team clear ahead of the rest, three which are competitive, and then five or six more which just aren't that good. No team in fifth or six has ever made the grand final in the nine years that the six-team format has been used. Should we just be scrapping it and having a four-team finals series? Maybe with home and away semi final fixtures if we don't want to cut too many games?
Totally agree, but the aussies love their finals series and grand final even if it doesnt involve the team that finished top of the league. Personally I hate the finals series, let the team that finsihed top be the winners - there's no need to find yet another winner in a cpntrived finals series which invovles half the teams in the league.
Money. The ALM had to scrap together a TV deal with Paramount worth about 50% less than what they had with Fox. The finals bring more eyeballs to the code, and the GF (unless it's involving teams with no fans like Melb City/WUN) sells out.
No finals series less TV money. Less gate receipts. You want a Nix club to support, and the ALM to survive - finals are a must have.