AFL coaching great Mick Malthouse believes the league must split into two divisions so that the competition is more even.
Malthouse's radical idea is themed after the English Premier League, which has three divisions so that clubs can be relegated or promoted based off form.
Malthouse told theย Herald Sunย it would keep supporters from all teams engaged throughout the season, no matter how bad their side is tracking.
It means the best sides would play each other more, creating a greater spectacle and potentially pulling bigger crowds, while the bottom clubs are given an opportunity to rebuild.
It would also change the draft system so that first round picks are exclusively given to Division 2 sides. Malthouse'sย idea proposes that the AFL have two divisions among the 18 clubs.
Division 1
ยท10 sides
ยทPlay 22 matches, versing each team twice with four additional matches
ยทTop eight teams play finals
ยทBottom two teams get relegated to Division 2
Division 2
ยทEight sides
ยทPlay 22 matches, versing each team three times.
ยทIn the 22nd and final round, top teams play offย 1 v 4 and 2 v 3
ยทWinning two sides get promoted to Division 1
Mick's vision
| Division 1 | Division 2 |
|---|---|
| Adelaide | St Kilda |
| Geelong | Hawthorn |
| Richmond | Collingwood |
| GWS Giants | Fremantle |
| Port Adelaide | North Melbourne |
| Sydney | Carlton |
| Essendon | Gold Coast |
| West Coast | Brisbane Lions |
| Melbourne | |
| Western Bulldogs |
