The Australian Football League (AFL) is contemplating the introduction of a mid-season tournament similar to the NBA Cup, as reported by journalist Sam McClure from Nine. Currently, with only nine teams vying for a place in the finals, many games in the latter part of the season lack significance, raising concerns about maintaining competitive interest.
This proposed tournament aligns with the AFL’s future plans, especially with the inclusion of Tasmania into the league in 2028. The league is looking to streamline the season, potentially reducing the number of rounds to allow each team to compete against each other just once, complemented by a rivalry round, the Gather Round, and this new tournament.
The NBA Cup format serves as a template; matches would count as both regular-season wins and part of the tournament itself, culminating in a final four teams competing for the trophy in Las Vegas. Furthermore, the tournament winner would receive a cash prize, which would be distributed among the players and the respective franchise.
McClure notes that the AFL is inspired by this model, seeing it as a way to engage teams that do not make the finals and generate new revenue streams—particularly through potential sponsorship deals that could reach millions.
However, there is skepticism about the necessity of such a tournament. AFL legend Jimmy Bartel argues that the league has pressing issues to address before implementing such a significant change. He pointed out ongoing problems with umpiring, suspensions, and internal communications that have already troubled the league this season. Bartel believes that while innovation is welcome, it should be considered cautiously rather than spurred by a single season’s anomalies.
Bartel emphasised that while this season may appear filled with “dead-rubbers,” it is not reflective of the league’s overall competitiveness, citing previous seasons where the race for finals was much tighter. He also critiqued the suggestion of granting the tournament winner automatic finals qualification, arguing that such a reward may not be valued by top teams, as they would typically earn finals spots regardless.
As the AFL continues to explore these ideas, the focus remains on maintaining the integrity and excitement of competition throughout the season.