Playoff smayoffs

Playoff smayoffs

Does anyone else think playoffs are a rubbish way to decide a winner after a whole season of footy? I say the winner of the league should be crowned champions. OK It gives other clubs something to aim for (including us), but it would suck to be knocked out after winning the league in a one-off game...

IT's much too short a season to not have playoffs imo.

Some supporters wouldn't turn up if they knew they can't win the A-League. With play-offs they still have a chance.

Agreed. And extend the season out to 28 matches (2 home, 2 away against each opponent).

I hope the league is also extended to 10 teams in the near future. Then we could have a decent season length.

the season needs to be waaaaay longer to introduce that system, its works with leagues like the prem cause theres lots of teams and the season is really long, neither of which the a-league has, therefore its the only logical way to do it

Another problem is there is no threat of relegation / promotion etc. If there was, perth/wellington match would have been a blockbuster and would give meaning to otherwise meaningless matches. fevrpitch2007-12-11 17:44:12

Hate to say it but i would doubt very much if the system as it is at the moment is ever changed,even when the "A" league increases the number of teams.Far to much money to be made by using playoffs. Perhaps the main reason though is playoffs are in all facets of aussie sport and is ingrained in sports people from a young age,so doubt if there would be much acceptance of a change.

exactly, this reason alone is why there are playoffs, no relegation means that as soon as a team hits bottom its all over, season means nothing and theres nothing to play for.. granted the league is close so were 7th and still with a shot.. but this system wont change until theres 15+ teams in the a-league with a B-league or sumthing under it with equal teams.....

Are there going to be 9 or 10 teams in the A-League next season? Isn't there a Northern Fury team or whatever they're called being introduced into it.

This is spot on.

Northern Thunder. Still bad

I don't think they can expand until after 2010, because of a TV deal

I don't get why they don't play 2 home and 2 away, at the moment isn't it 3 games between each team, so some teams will have a greater home advantage. This kind of skews the season because you don't fairly play all the teams.

Is the league scheduled randomly, because if you get home advantages against the tougher teams and are away more often for the weaker teams then it'd be much easier than vice versa. Or maybe not, but anyway it's still poor design imo.

I was happy a NZ-based team was going to remain in the league.

I was over the moon when it was a Wellington team. Man, Terry Serepisos has done an amazing job!

I think playoffs work. Otherwise you get teams unbeatable with 2 or 3 or more games to go and there doesn't seem to be much point. Means the end of the season falls a bit flat. s2art2007-12-11 21:53:44

Having no playoffs doesn't necessarily mean interest in the league is killed off with a runaway winner. There would still be the Asian Champions League places to play for, which, if you believe the President of the Asian Football Confederation, could amount to four A League teams within a year or two - certainly worth fighting hard for.

10 teams - home and away against each team. Thats 20 games per season. The FFA & the NZFA could also introduce a Cup comptition (like our Chatham Cup) and play it in both countries and the A League sides join in at the quarter final stage. Imagine Wellington Olympic or Watersie playing some local league side from Melbourne for a quarter final game against an A League side? Surely an attention grabber if ever there was one. Lonegunmen2007-12-11 23:27:11

   Just the chance for some minor league club taking on a bunch of professionals. Every amateur footballers dream!! Lonegunmen2007-12-11 23:40:11

Sounds great. A Cup competition adds so much to the league season I think. I know the FA Cup has lost a lot of prestige in recent times but it's still a major attraction of English football. Love the idea of smaller NZ and Oz clubs fighting their way through to play the big guns.

I guess money is the obvious concern. It would probably knock the Chatham Cup for six too.

StopOut2007-12-11 23:51:21

I'd love to see Team Welly hammer Perth Glory haha

If you've ever been involved with amateur football admin in NZ you'll know there's more chance of pigs flying than that happening. Most teams can't financially compete in their local leagues and the chatham cup let alone in AUS plus who plas, local clubs or NZFC clubs. Completely ridiculousjames dean2007-12-12 00:16:56

Midfielder2007-12-12 01:16:50

I think playoffs are a stupid way to finish the league in regard to getting the best team as the champion.

How about a champions league style knock out for the play offs, a home and away game.  That way the better team has more chance of not getting beaten by a one match shocker.  Also the second game often end up pretty open when one team has to get a big result to progress, which provides some great viewing.

That is a somewhat simplistic view that follows the party line a little too closely. 

No Souths. No A-League ! - Just for Kiwi Pie.

And just where exactly would that money come from? el grapadura2007-12-12 16:33:18

That IS the system. Home and away knockout rounds, and then the Grand Final played at the home ground of the higher-ranked team.el grapadura2007-12-12 16:31:48

Actually, the first round - 1st vs 2nd and 3rd vs 4th are home and away.

The loser of 1st vs 2nd against the winner of 3rd vs 4th is a one off at the home of the losing side from the top 2 match.

Then the final is a one off.

I don't think you have any idea of the perilous financial situation MOST teams find themselves in. ARe you expecting this to be on TV cause where are you goignt o get this winners money from? The Central League is close to being abandoned because of financial pressure.

Then there's the fact that a game between an NZ club side and any professional side, including most of the semi-pro state league teams would be a complete mismatch and hardly justify the point of the competition.

As always, HN is right. My bad, I completely forgot about the stupid preliminary final or whatever else they call it.

Jeepas guys, all I was suggesting was an alternative to the current set-up. I don't mind you all not liking my idea. Sweet-as, but please, come to the table and put forth your own alternative. I don't believe I am right or my idea is perfect, but I am pleased to see it has got you thinking. Now put your alternatives down on here.