TOPIC:

This ones a bit of a rock and a hard place situation, yes agree having the GF after the AFL GF is preferable for media and crowds, but we could easily end up with a similar situation where we cant get access to Optus, then forced to look for a WAFL ground that can cope with a GF crowd. Leedo was great but only due to great weather on the day and after a huge effort to get the tired old malthouse surface fixed just in time. A successful Gf at a suburban ground is entirely dependent on weather. If this years Gf was a rainy day, would have struggled to get 8 to 10k there. So imho, the AFL pre-lim is preferred as it guarantee's Optus availability. It's entirely possible that it could be an EF v Joondy Gf in 2023 which should guarantee a crowd of around 25k. Close the top deck and pack the crowd in the lower 2 levels.

The state leagues having their GFs before the AFL GF with the AFL having a break that weekend to accommodate it is worth a try. The break between the AFL H&A season and finals would be moved to between the Preliminary final weekend and the GF weekend for this to happen. The AFL GF teams would have a 2 week break. Could be handy for players with injury clouds other them too.

Brain dead decision, WAFL back into the shadow of the AFL, totally lost in the media esp if the local clubs make it, just when the weekend after was working well, no guaranteed Optus will be used either if the AFL finals are played there.

Sounds more like a set up to allow players and officials to all be wrapped up in line with the AFL so they can get on the piss.

Are we back to 18 games? That would be one benefit of the change. Once the AFL extended their season, the Wafl was always going to struggle to play the GF after the AFL GF. You either start after Easter (bad) or have 20 rounds (also bad).

That's a shame, but a long weekend in September might not be too bad.  last year's GF will be hard to beat though. I'd prefer it there with 8 grand less. 

Still, the subi lion roar at Optus is good. Look forward to it next September. 

I am a bit mixed on this one. I can understand where the clubs are coming from but it was also good to have a stand alone weekend when there were no distractions from AFL. This gave the WAFL grand final centre stage and I'm sure it boosted interest in the game

Johnny Leonard wrote:

Are we back to 18 games? That would be one benefit of the change. Once the AFL extended their season, the Wafl was always going to struggle to play the GF after the AFL GF. You either start after Easter (bad) or have 20 rounds (also bad).

That's a shame, but a long weekend in September might not be too bad.  last year's GF will be hard to beat though. I'd prefer it there with 8 grand less. 

Still, the subi lion roar at Optus is good. Look forward to it next September. 

Good luck with that one JL

Playing the Wafl GF on Preliminary AFL final week is a terrible decision.Start the season two weeks later and play the week after the AFL GF.
The media exposure was enourmous post the end of the AFL season.
Also the latest Google search data for this year 2022.Searches in Western Australia has the Wafl GrandFinal at number 9.Lets see us get 20% of that interest , why the AFL still going,numpties...

The WAFC said in December that this seasons fixtures would be released in late January so they MAY be in the West tomorrow?

The pre-release of fixtures has been given to the clubs so that any requests or editing from the clubs can be considered

So that will mean that they will be released after this feedback in one or two weeks?  Latest I can remember a fixture release in a "normal" season. We know that round 1 will be conducted over the Easter weekend which is 7th - 10th April