Whateley
Simmo is adamant the AFL needs extra time | The Means Test with Adam Simpson! (04.05.26)
04 May 2026
Chapter 1: What are the implications of introducing extra time in AFL matches?
For your ladder predicted brethren, you lost two thirds in one go on Richmond. So two thirds had Richmond with zero wins. A third had them with one. And then one has them with two wins. Okay. All right. We're starting to whittle down. We are whittling down. But the draw knocks everything out. Because the exercise wasn't one through 18.
It was the brackets of 10 and one, nine and two, eight and three.
I'm telling you, they should put up a million dollar prize market for predicting the ladder. Make it a million bucks and see how many people get involved. They could do it four times in a year.
Anyway.
Chapter 2: How do fans perceive the idea of extra time in footy games?
Just for our ladder prediction competition, that was the cause for extra time on-
Yeah, I'm a big blow. You tell me the ratings. I know it's as boring as some of the other subjects in the AFL. But the extra time, if it was, I think it's next score wins. And the ratings on that and the eyes on that, if it was, okay, here we go, next score wins. Because I think if it's next goal, it could be 15 minutes. And if it's three minutes and three minutes, that's just footy.
I want to see next score wins. Why wouldn't you do it, Gerard? Is it the history piece? Yep. Yeah. Okay. I just, I just think it'd be a ratings bonanza and then people would just embrace when you, when, you know, when the word's out, it's a draw and here we go.
Chapter 3: What is the proposed format for extra time in AFL?
Oh, it's just, and then the two minute drills you train at training. Yeah. All right. We're in next score wins mode guys. Let's, let's see how we go. Cause you don't want to go all out attack, but you also don't want to go defense. I just think it'd be pretty cool to see.
The. So I would like to poll the 75,000 people at the ground, just the 75,000 people at the ground. And one of the questions, are you prepared to lose to win? Or are you taking your two points and going home?
No. Win. No one's going to... For two points.
Chapter 4: What challenges might arise from implementing extra time rules?
I don't care who you are. No one's, surely not. If you're competitive, if you have one bit of competitive instinct in your body, you are not going for a draw. Are you?
No. Not if you're in the 75,000 there. No. I think it's fine to do it from a sterile point during the week. But in the hot-blooded moment of Thursday night.
Chapter 5: How could extra time impact the competitive nature of AFL matches?
Oh, it would have been so good. Keep going.
Yeah. Yeah. It would have been so good. Anyway, and then people talk about the wind and that sort of stuff.
Chapter 6: What are the potential benefits of extra time for fan engagement?
That's bad luck. If you had the wind for the whole quarter and you couldn't get in front, that's on you. So I can't see any negativity to it at all. Zero. Good stuff.
You've made the case compellingly there.