Five-day breaks to save fixture

FIVE-DAY breaks have emerged as the saviour to next year’s AFL fixture.

After a season of failed scheduling, industry figures yesterday said abolishing mandatory six-day breaks between matches was the solution. It would give the league flexibility to lock teams into blockbuster Friday slots after playing the previous Sunday.

“Five-day breaks are the panacea for a lot of the problems with the fixture,” a club boss said. “If everyone copped one, you could get through.”

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan last night confirmed the plan was being explored by the game’s competition committee.

“I know the guys are seeing whether clubs are up for it,” McLachlan said. “It might help with Friday nights.” McLachlan said the existing schedule of seven Thursday night games was “about the right number”, but shorter breaks would open the door for as many as 10. The AFL Players’ Association secured agreement for minimum six-day breaks in the bumper collective bargaining agreement struck with head office last year. But AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh last night indicated players were prepared to consider five days.

“We are open to any discussions that help grow the game, however, five-day breaks present a challenge for players and clubs regarding the physical workload of players and therefore increased risk of injury,” Marsh said.

“Currently the CBA restricts the AFL’s ability to schedule five-day breaks other than Anzac Day, therefore any potential future changes to this could only be considered if we can find a way to offset these increased risks of workload and injury.”