AFL shouldn't be spooked by NRL's Origin behemoth as it weighs up mid-year competition
It is completely reasonable to consider an NBA-style tournament, which, in effect, might represent a reprise of the old night series – the Ansett Cup was one version – that sat inside the regular season.
It is not to this column's jaded taste, and I doubt that most fans will support a mid-year tournament, given their innate opposition to radical reforms.
Many, however, will favour the parallel proposal, as The Age's Sam McClure reported, of a regular season that is cut back to 20 games, when the Tasmania Devils arrives, with one game added for rivalry round (showdowns, derbies, blockbusters in Melbourne) and another for Gather Round.
The Devils' scheduled entry in 2028 provides a great opportunity to re-shape the fixture. It was this recognition that framed the proposal.
The old night series had some value – and was even taken semi-seriously by clubs. Kevin Sheedy certainly used to cite night premierships on his resume, as did Denis Pagan.
But the franchise diminished over time, as night footy became entrenched in the 'real' season, and it dwindled further into irrelevance once the good teams used it merely as a vehicle to prepare for the season proper.
What the AFL and some clubs have recognised, though, is that their competition does not have any meaningful prize besides the premiership cup (the same applies to the AFLW); Michael Voss, unlike Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, does not have another trophy on the line to salve his reputation/job (not that it saved Ange).

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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Wildcats grow French connection with Next Star signing
The Perth Wildcats have landed another highly-touted NBA draft prospect, signing French teenager Noa Kouakou-Heugue under the NBL's Next Stars program. Kouakou-Heugue, a 208cm power forward, is regarded as one of Europe's top young talents and is a projected second-round pick next year. He made the FIBA Under-19 World Cup highlights reel with a huge dunk against the USA this month, averaging 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks through the tournament. The 18-year-old will start his professional career in a Wildcats outfit with a strong recent record of developing NBA talent under coach John Rillie. Compatriot Alex Sarr was the No.2 overall pick in 2024, while Spain's Izan Almansa has joined the Philadelphia 76ers for this year's NBA Summer League. "I think the NBL Next Stars program can help me to reach my ultimate goal, which is the NBA," Kouakou-Heugue said. "The NBL is recognised as being a really hard and physical league, and that will help me a lot. "My first interaction with coach Rillie and the Wildcats was really good. "They were talking to me like they are going to help me be the best version of myself, and I really appreciated it." Rillie is excited by the prospect of having Kouakou-Heugue at his disposal next season. "The Perth Wildcats have had success with the Next Star program, so I look forward to seeing how Noa embraces this opportunity," Rillie said. "With his current skill set he adds athleticism and versatility to our front-line at the defensive end. "Offensively, he's a gazelle in transition. Developing his pick-and-roll skills will become a daily habit. "To round it out, he will be asked to live on the glass." The addition of Kouakou-Heugue adds depth to a Wildcats team seeking to move on after the messy exit of club legend Bryce Cotton, who has joined the Adelaide 36ers. Perth are also still searching for a third import after re-signing American duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler. The Perth Wildcats have landed another highly-touted NBA draft prospect, signing French teenager Noa Kouakou-Heugue under the NBL's Next Stars program. Kouakou-Heugue, a 208cm power forward, is regarded as one of Europe's top young talents and is a projected second-round pick next year. He made the FIBA Under-19 World Cup highlights reel with a huge dunk against the USA this month, averaging 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks through the tournament. The 18-year-old will start his professional career in a Wildcats outfit with a strong recent record of developing NBA talent under coach John Rillie. Compatriot Alex Sarr was the No.2 overall pick in 2024, while Spain's Izan Almansa has joined the Philadelphia 76ers for this year's NBA Summer League. "I think the NBL Next Stars program can help me to reach my ultimate goal, which is the NBA," Kouakou-Heugue said. "The NBL is recognised as being a really hard and physical league, and that will help me a lot. "My first interaction with coach Rillie and the Wildcats was really good. "They were talking to me like they are going to help me be the best version of myself, and I really appreciated it." Rillie is excited by the prospect of having Kouakou-Heugue at his disposal next season. "The Perth Wildcats have had success with the Next Star program, so I look forward to seeing how Noa embraces this opportunity," Rillie said. "With his current skill set he adds athleticism and versatility to our front-line at the defensive end. "Offensively, he's a gazelle in transition. Developing his pick-and-roll skills will become a daily habit. "To round it out, he will be asked to live on the glass." The addition of Kouakou-Heugue adds depth to a Wildcats team seeking to move on after the messy exit of club legend Bryce Cotton, who has joined the Adelaide 36ers. Perth are also still searching for a third import after re-signing American duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler. The Perth Wildcats have landed another highly-touted NBA draft prospect, signing French teenager Noa Kouakou-Heugue under the NBL's Next Stars program. Kouakou-Heugue, a 208cm power forward, is regarded as one of Europe's top young talents and is a projected second-round pick next year. He made the FIBA Under-19 World Cup highlights reel with a huge dunk against the USA this month, averaging 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks through the tournament. The 18-year-old will start his professional career in a Wildcats outfit with a strong recent record of developing NBA talent under coach John Rillie. Compatriot Alex Sarr was the No.2 overall pick in 2024, while Spain's Izan Almansa has joined the Philadelphia 76ers for this year's NBA Summer League. "I think the NBL Next Stars program can help me to reach my ultimate goal, which is the NBA," Kouakou-Heugue said. "The NBL is recognised as being a really hard and physical league, and that will help me a lot. "My first interaction with coach Rillie and the Wildcats was really good. "They were talking to me like they are going to help me be the best version of myself, and I really appreciated it." Rillie is excited by the prospect of having Kouakou-Heugue at his disposal next season. "The Perth Wildcats have had success with the Next Star program, so I look forward to seeing how Noa embraces this opportunity," Rillie said. "With his current skill set he adds athleticism and versatility to our front-line at the defensive end. "Offensively, he's a gazelle in transition. Developing his pick-and-roll skills will become a daily habit. "To round it out, he will be asked to live on the glass." The addition of Kouakou-Heugue adds depth to a Wildcats team seeking to move on after the messy exit of club legend Bryce Cotton, who has joined the Adelaide 36ers. Perth are also still searching for a third import after re-signing American duo Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler.


The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Never play again' - Matthews laments Bruns hit
Leigh Matthews finds his hit on Neville Bruns "repugnant" and says advice from coach Allan Jeans was pivotal for how he dealt with the aftermath. While Matthews' status as a legendary AFL player, coach and commentator is set in stone, he also thoroughly earned the nickname "Lethal". That was never more true than in 1985, the Hawthorn great's last season as a player, when he broke Neville Bruns' jaw in a match against Geelong. Forty years later, it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the game's history. Matthews was charged with assault by police - the only time that has happened in VFL/AFL history - and it resulted in a court imposing a 12-month good behaviour bond. The AFL also deregistered Matthews for four weeks - he was not reported by an umpire - and the incident was a key step for the league introducing trial by video into the tribunal system. "The way football seems now it seemed so repugnant; but even then, it was repugnant," Matthews told the Howie Games podcast. "The aging body and a strong competitive instinct can be a dangerous combination. (It) was a poor year because I was fading as a footballer. "Even in your own sight, you think, 'Why did I do that', and I still haven't got an answer. "I felt unbelievably guilty. I always played very vigorously, but that was the worst thing I ever did. I thought, 'If football can make you do that ... if the person (you are) out there can make you do that, never play footy again'." Matthews said he went to Jeans, the legendary Hawks coach who was also still a policeman that season, for advice. "He said, 'Don't let that be the last thing people remember you by.' It was a terrible thing I did, and I've always believed if you do the crime, do the time. Whatever happened, I deserved," Matthews said. Matthew retired at the end of that season, with 332 games, four premierships and the reputation as arguably the greatest player in the game's history. He was true to Jeans' advice, coaching Collingwood to their drought-breaking 1990 premiership and leading Brisbane to their 2001-03 flag three-peat. Matthews remains in the game as its most respected media commentator. Matthews also broke a point post when he collided with it in a 1982 game against Essendon at Windy Hill. TV commentator Lou Richards reacted with the legendary quote, "Talk about a he-man". Matthews says, "I like the he-man stuff, let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story". But he revealed he did not know about the damage until after the game, when he complained to a club trainer about his sore elbow. "So, don't go telling anyone else the true story," he said. Leigh Matthews finds his hit on Neville Bruns "repugnant" and says advice from coach Allan Jeans was pivotal for how he dealt with the aftermath. While Matthews' status as a legendary AFL player, coach and commentator is set in stone, he also thoroughly earned the nickname "Lethal". That was never more true than in 1985, the Hawthorn great's last season as a player, when he broke Neville Bruns' jaw in a match against Geelong. Forty years later, it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the game's history. Matthews was charged with assault by police - the only time that has happened in VFL/AFL history - and it resulted in a court imposing a 12-month good behaviour bond. The AFL also deregistered Matthews for four weeks - he was not reported by an umpire - and the incident was a key step for the league introducing trial by video into the tribunal system. "The way football seems now it seemed so repugnant; but even then, it was repugnant," Matthews told the Howie Games podcast. "The aging body and a strong competitive instinct can be a dangerous combination. (It) was a poor year because I was fading as a footballer. "Even in your own sight, you think, 'Why did I do that', and I still haven't got an answer. "I felt unbelievably guilty. I always played very vigorously, but that was the worst thing I ever did. I thought, 'If football can make you do that ... if the person (you are) out there can make you do that, never play footy again'." Matthews said he went to Jeans, the legendary Hawks coach who was also still a policeman that season, for advice. "He said, 'Don't let that be the last thing people remember you by.' It was a terrible thing I did, and I've always believed if you do the crime, do the time. Whatever happened, I deserved," Matthews said. Matthew retired at the end of that season, with 332 games, four premierships and the reputation as arguably the greatest player in the game's history. He was true to Jeans' advice, coaching Collingwood to their drought-breaking 1990 premiership and leading Brisbane to their 2001-03 flag three-peat. Matthews remains in the game as its most respected media commentator. Matthews also broke a point post when he collided with it in a 1982 game against Essendon at Windy Hill. TV commentator Lou Richards reacted with the legendary quote, "Talk about a he-man". Matthews says, "I like the he-man stuff, let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story". But he revealed he did not know about the damage until after the game, when he complained to a club trainer about his sore elbow. "So, don't go telling anyone else the true story," he said. Leigh Matthews finds his hit on Neville Bruns "repugnant" and says advice from coach Allan Jeans was pivotal for how he dealt with the aftermath. While Matthews' status as a legendary AFL player, coach and commentator is set in stone, he also thoroughly earned the nickname "Lethal". That was never more true than in 1985, the Hawthorn great's last season as a player, when he broke Neville Bruns' jaw in a match against Geelong. Forty years later, it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the game's history. Matthews was charged with assault by police - the only time that has happened in VFL/AFL history - and it resulted in a court imposing a 12-month good behaviour bond. The AFL also deregistered Matthews for four weeks - he was not reported by an umpire - and the incident was a key step for the league introducing trial by video into the tribunal system. "The way football seems now it seemed so repugnant; but even then, it was repugnant," Matthews told the Howie Games podcast. "The aging body and a strong competitive instinct can be a dangerous combination. (It) was a poor year because I was fading as a footballer. "Even in your own sight, you think, 'Why did I do that', and I still haven't got an answer. "I felt unbelievably guilty. I always played very vigorously, but that was the worst thing I ever did. I thought, 'If football can make you do that ... if the person (you are) out there can make you do that, never play footy again'." Matthews said he went to Jeans, the legendary Hawks coach who was also still a policeman that season, for advice. "He said, 'Don't let that be the last thing people remember you by.' It was a terrible thing I did, and I've always believed if you do the crime, do the time. Whatever happened, I deserved," Matthews said. Matthew retired at the end of that season, with 332 games, four premierships and the reputation as arguably the greatest player in the game's history. He was true to Jeans' advice, coaching Collingwood to their drought-breaking 1990 premiership and leading Brisbane to their 2001-03 flag three-peat. Matthews remains in the game as its most respected media commentator. Matthews also broke a point post when he collided with it in a 1982 game against Essendon at Windy Hill. TV commentator Lou Richards reacted with the legendary quote, "Talk about a he-man". Matthews says, "I like the he-man stuff, let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story". But he revealed he did not know about the damage until after the game, when he complained to a club trainer about his sore elbow. "So, don't go telling anyone else the true story," he said.

News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘A bit too much': Willie Rioli's shock revelation after threat ban fallout
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has revealed he almost quit the game after being caught sending threats to opposition players but he's stayed to continue to champion the cause of indigenous players. Rioli was suspended for a game in May and hit with fines after revelations of a social media threat to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale with a further two instances of similar aggression to opponents coming to light. He earned support from Port chairman, David Koch, who suggestion Rioli was subjected to 'culturally insensitive' remarks, which was shot down by the Bulldogs in a war of words between the two clubs. It was putting Port in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and the fallout from the incident moved Rioli to contemplate walking away. 'Definitely it gets to a point where it's a bit too much sometimes,' Rioli told Port's club podcast, Peeled. 'And yeah I have spoken to my manager and the club a couple of times about walking away from the game, which I am not shy to talk about. 'More so ... trying to not be putting any more pressure on the club. Get them out of the spotlight as well, in terms of not have to deal with my issues so much as a person off-field.' Remarkably, Rioli even said he took a 'bit of the blame' for a drop off in indigenous player numbers, a feeling dating back to copping an 18-month suspension for tampering with his marijuana-tainted urine sample while at West Coast. 'I do hold a bit of blame myself a little bit for some of the stuff I have been through, in terms of clubs not trusting Indigenous players,' he said, declaring righting that wrong, and improving perceptions was why he's still playing. 'I felt that was my driver to come back to footy ... be the light in terms of 'we can go through this'. 'I look at the drop in terms of Indigenous players in the competition ... that gives me the motivation to stick around longer, to help the next generation do better than what we are doing or what I am doing. 'I want the next (Indigenous) generation to be better than what we are right now. 'And I want them to have their confidence to make mistakes and not be judged by their mistakes.'