One AFL coach has thrown their support behind the concept of an in-season tournament, which leaders of clubs and the league have suggested implementing.
The in-season tournament would be similar to the NBA's basketball equivalent, which was implemented in 2023.
The tournament would see AFL teams play each other for a competition separate to the current system, where prizes such as money and a guaranteed finals spot have been suggested for the winner.
Some commentators, such as Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos, have lambasted the idea, saying he doesn't understand why the AFL would follow the NBA.
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However, Collingwood coach Craig McRae has explained that although he couldn’t comment on all the aspects of the in-season tournament, he is a fan of the concept.
“I’m somewhat of a fan, I think that anything that we can continue to grow the game, I think it’ll be good for us,” McRae said.
“The draw itself is always uneven and not equal, and we have a lot of games at the MCG and some teams travel more.”
McRae added that the draw is uneven at the moment, and a tournament may help fix the imbalance.
“Everyone’s got their own story of the draw, not everyone plays each other twice, teams are going to play Richmond twice before we might have played them once. It’s like woah, how does this all work?”
“So some form of maybe balancing all that out, I think I’m all for, and we want to grow our audience and not stand still. I like it," he added.
Sitting on top of the ladder, the Magpies will play seventh spot Gold Coast away on Friday night in what should be a close game.