Dancing around the point

IF kite flying was an Olympic sport, the AFL would be standing on the podium.

Two weeks ago, it was the halftime debate. Last year it was about extending the goalsquare and two lowly clubs playing for points trialling potential new rules. For the past 20 years, maybe more, it’s been about the possibility of a night grand final and then a twilight grand final.

Gillon McLachlan is like an exotic dancer on this debate. Every year, he’d take off another item of clothing, slowly teasing a frustrated football public, before announcing there was nothing to see here. And we fall for it.

We have angry fans on radio and online and the polls show absolute disdain.

The latest craziness is the potential name change of the AFL to AFLM — to identify the men’s game. From 11am to 1.35pm yesterday, the possibility of the AFL becoming AFLM was more than fanciful.

Three hours of unnecessary conversation — and socialmedia backlash — ended when the AFL put out a statement just after lunch.

“We had a great first round to season four of the AFL Women’s competition,” a spokesman said. “AFLW has built its own powerful identity in the community and we will continue to promote its message and celebrate the league and women’s football. There are no plans to change the name of the AFL competition.”

All of this could have been avoided if Hocking said a firm no instead of indulging the podcasters in the first place.

AFLW is the women’s. AFL is the men’s.

End of the debate.