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Chapter 1: What are the blue sky issues facing the AFL?
We've got the blue sky issues on our minds, the future of the AFL, what the structure might look like. I've been looking forward to picking the eminently sensible mind of Phil Davis. Phil, welcome back to the program. Jared, great to be here. I think if there was one person who enjoyed reading the 19-page document, future-proofing the competition more than me, it might well have been you.
Have you immersed yourself in it?
Yes, I had a good read and I had a chuckle about the confidential not for further distribution comment at the top. Don't tell anyone that. No, it was good, Gerard. It was a good read.
Where did it leave you? So clearly the AFL is addressing the big picture. What most struck you?
Yeah, I think... I think, first of all, my view was it was to be read as a thought-provoking document. There's obviously lots of analysis that needs to be done. And I do believe that it seems as though the AFL are very much ready to take this moment about what can we actually do here for the greater good of the game, moving to 19 teams. I'm not sure how 20 teams folds in.
Maybe you can try to read between the lines that they're not as certain that 20 teams is on the near horizon. I think more broadly, I was content. I think there was some good concepts around what's been done around the world. But fundamentally, it comes down to a decision about what do we want the growth of the game to look.
And in my mind, it's largely about how much content we want to distribute, because I think we could be well entitled to think that we're not going to take a big haircut and just take off five games to make it very equal and start and then just cop the haircut that comes from that.
I think there'll be some creativity done to try to make sure that we are still growing and still the number one game in the country.
So it lays out, before it gets to the concepts for the future competition, it lays out the five objectives. Grow value of competitions, more games that matter, more equity and balance in the fixture, attract new audiences and sustainable AFLW growth. Do those feel like the right pots to you?
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Chapter 2: What are the five objectives for future-proofing the AFL competition?
And for the AFL and the way that they manage this with the fan base. So there's resistance to change naturally in all forms of life. And I think all the big decisions of the past have been unpopular with the fan base at the start, but the vast majority have served the game well. How should they manage that relationship, do you think?
Well, I just think... We've got to ensure that they are a herd stakeholder throughout, Gerard. It's so important that they are taken on this journey. They might not agree, but if they can be taken on the journey and the decision-making, that will count for a lot. I think we've got to remember that when we use the words fans, Gerard, We just spoke about it before.
Fans aren't just the loudest voice. Fans are from the Gen Zs all the way through to the new migrants in Western Sydney to, you know, Kalgoorlie all the way through. They're all fans and not all are heard equally. And we've got to make sure that we're doing the best. And then when we present it back more broadly, we're clear with why and how we got to decisions.
So the big picture very much in vogue right now. Just a couple of the nitty gritties as we finish our chat this week, Phil. Gary Lyon asked me the exact right question last night. What would have happened? What difference would it have made if Zach Butters had said yesterday, yep, this is going to be my last showdown? And trying to picture what that would have looked like this morning.
Yeah, I think it would have, Zach would have been very uncomfortable. But I think more broadly, I know this has been a discussion for a long time. It seems as though he's definitely gone. But I think we get to this point where does it gain much benefit for anyone, him answering that correctly? And I still don't think we're at a point there. It would have been a great question.
It would have been a very interesting piece of television. But I don't think Zach would ever answer that any other way than he hasn't worked it out yet. And I think that's a reflection of we're yet to be in a position where that knowledge is useful for anyone more than what the necessary damage could be done.
Yeah, so we think it would have made his life uncomfortable for the last couple of months when he's handled the season about as well as he can.
Yeah, I think he's been exceptional. I think for a player that's, you know, basically going and maybe that's why it's been more comfortable. There's been less talk about it, that it's been relatively smooth. But I just don't think there's a need. I think he's clearly playing well. His teammates still really enjoy playing.
I think that's the point you've got to look is like, when is there tension about the decision? Is it when every time you go to a press conference, do you get asked and does it bother you? And what is like the weight that that carries? And at that point, it's that, you know, it's the pros and cons list. of is this doing more damage than good?
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Chapter 3: How does Phil Davis view the proposed 19-team competition structure?
All right.
Just give me a closing word on the Giants. The three-quarter time anger from Adam Kingsley and just how that looked. They had momentum coming to the bye. They now look in a really tricky spot. How do you see your Giants and the coach?
Chapter 4: What are the potential impacts of introducing an in-season tournament?
Yeah, I think it's very much a tough situation at the moment just because every time it looks like there's some momentum, there's almost a snag that catches them and pulls them back. And I think you can see that frustration with Adam Kingsley. The one bit about Adam is he's a remarkably calm person. And usually during the game, he's more calm than most.
And I think we've seen one or two outbursts here and there trying to get a different reaction. And I think he uses those... quite sparingly and quite effectively. Obviously, on the weekend, it didn't work. But there's clearly something clunky going on in their game at the moment, and they're trying to shake it and get to the other side. But I think he made the comment they're running out of time.
There's something that when teams are willing to be very disciplined and control the corridor and don't feed the rebound turnover game of the Giants, they're struggling to get some fluency in their game. Obviously, the centre bounce... isn't a strength and probably won't be a strength until Tom Green gets back.
But teams are just starving them of what they're good at and I think that's frustrating all of them and they just haven't quite been able to pierce in another way. Phil, always good to catch up. Enjoy your week. Thanks, Gerard.