Riewoldt backs a golden point era

RETIRED St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt says it’s time for the AFL to completely do away with the draw after the thrilling extra-time final between Port Adelaide and West Coast Eagles.

Riewoldt said the excitement of the Power-Eagles result on Saturday night indicated it was time for the league to shelve the draw during the home-andaway season.

“After the 2010 drawn (Grand Final) debacle, the AFL removed the draw and I think it’s time to do the same right throughout the competition through the season,’’ Riewoldt said on Game Day.

“After last night’s result, how exciting was that? To remove the draw and have extra-time played every week, I think the fans would love it.”

Riewoldt played in the last drawn grand final against the Pies in 2010, with the Saints losing the replay the next week.

In 2016, the AFL Commission voted to scrap the Grand Final replay in favour of extra-time in line with other finals, but the draw remained for the regular season. The AFL introduced extra-time for finals in 1991.

There were three drawn games during the home-andaway season in 2017.