HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson believes the pre-finals bye has hurt the integrity of the competition and given top-four teams a disadvantage if they win their opening qualifying final.
The AFL last year introduced the pre-finals bye, which was celebrated after the Western Bulldogs became the first team to win the premiership from seventh on the ladder.
The week off leading into finals means a top-four team that wins its qualifying final in the opening week plays just one match over a three-week period leading into a preliminary final.
Clarkson, who led the Hawks to an historic three-peat of flags from 2013-15 from the top four, said the bye meant any one of this year's top-eight teams could win the premiership.
He even suggested teams could stop aiming for a top-four finish late in the year if this year's premier again came from outside the top four.
"I think it's an enormous disadvantage finishing top four and winning your first final and playing one game in three weeks leading into a prelim," Clarkson said on Thursday.
"It's unbelievably challenging for a top-four team, given they have deserved top-four status. That's why anyone in the top eight could win it.
"I don't think it's good for the game.
"Part of the game is survival of the fittest, and if you've worked hard to deserve top-four status you shouldn't be disadvantaged come the finals."
Fourth-placed Greater Western Sydney and second-placed Geelong were each knocked out in preliminary finals last year after winning qualifying finals and playing one match in three weeks.
An AFL.com.au survey in 2016 showed all 18 senior coaches were opposed to the pre-finals bye before it was introduced, and the annual survey revealed only three were in favour of it this year.
Premiership coach Paul Roos told News Corporation recently that the two qualifying final winners this year should consider meeting in a practice match the week before their respective preliminary finals.
"If a team wins from outside the top four this year, I'll tell you where everyone will be targeting their finishing position next year, it'll be fifth to eighth," Clarkson said.
"They won't worry about top four.
"You don't want that. The integrity of the game is the most important part, and there's no integrity in finishing top four if it's a disadvantage for you."
Clarkson said Friday night's clash against the Western Bulldogs would be important for both clubs as the Hawks prepare to farewell club champions Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson, and Bulldogs say goodbye to favourite sons Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd.
"All four have just been fantastic contributors for their footy clubs, and more importantly than that, the game itself," Clarkson said.
"The game is better for the contributions those four guys have made. They're all very decorated in their service to their clubs and the game, and all fans get a chance to acknowledge that tomorrow night."
