The value of pre season games, especially of those played in regional centres, and the current format of the summer competition comes into question almost every year.
Games are often noted as ‘meaningless’ by fans. In some cases veteran players are rested to ensure their longevity in the season and players with niggling injuries are often granted time on the sidelines. Such cases are usually met with comments from clubs that players would line up if the game were for four points.
Furthermore past results have shown that pre season form isn’t an accurate indicator to season performances. The Sydney Swans are a fine example of misleading summer shape having only broken a seven-year streak of round one NAB Cup losses against Carlton last weekend. And it’s hard to forget Carlton’s sterling pre season wins in 2005 and 2007 only to finish 16th and 15th at season’s end.
What NAB Cup and Challenge games do though is allow coaches to trial tactics and players, with an extended interchange bench, in a series that holds no real bearing on results. There is room for error. Club listed rookies often benefit most with a rare competitive run alongside their senior listed teammates.
In addition cash incentives can prove as big rewards for successful clubs with prize money ranging from $160,000 to $350,000 up for grabs. This often proves to be great motivation for struggling AFL clubs. Membership numbers are also often boosted after an encouraging campaign and teams struggling to fill sponsorship voids are often satisfied.
The Crows have had mixed results in their past pre season campaigns including a Wizard Cup win in 2003 and NAB Cup runner up in 2006 and 2008. Last year we bombed out in round one with a loss to Geelong in Melbourne and this year saw a defeat at the hands of Port Adelaide also in the opening weekend of competition.
So far this year's round of Challenge games began with a 22-point loss courtesy of Collingwood on Friday night in Alice Springs.
I tuned into the radio broadcast along with many fellow Crows fans ears and heard that Neil Craig was after more grunt. Judging by the call the team delivered and improved on their performance from the previous week however the once-in-four-years torrential downpour proved to be our downfall.
Dougie kicked four goals including three in a stellar last quarter performance and new kid on the block, Jack ‘Gunna’ Gunston, slotted two in his first game in the tri-colours. Unfortunately though James Sellar looks to have broken his hand in the trying conditions. Was that a collective sigh I heard? Yep it’s disappointing another player’s name has been added to the growing injury list and in a pre season game nonetheless.
So what value do these games hold? Would the AFL be better off with an extended season or perhaps a round robin competition would satisfy fans more? Perhaps you support the NAB Cup format and appreciate the opportunity to see AFL in Australia’s regional centre.
For me though, I’m just happy the real stuff is another week closer.
