And the NRL used the one they used and dumped it for the McIntyre. I have no idea why they made the change and I am curious to know (can anyone help me out?) to see if the apparent issues are eliminated by the McIntyre system.
I think you nailed it though, they don't want us to think we're copying them or vice versa. I think when an alternate 8 team final system comes out that is passable, they'll adopt that instead.
The counter argument (and I'm not saying I agree with it) is that the AFL version gives the bottom 4 (5-8) next to no chance of making the GF. The records would seem to back this as no team from 5th-8th has made a GF and I think only a couple have made the GF qualifying round.
Personally I think this is more a manifestation of the unevenness of the AFL - the top few teams are nearly always far superior to the rest of the competition. I suspect the real reason is more in line with Innsaneink's comments.
Fair enough, although in 1998 when we ran a top 10, we used an extended version of the AFL system, and the Dogs made the grand final from 8th or 9th (elimination all the way). The McIntyre does however, favour the top team, only 3 times since we adopted it has the minor premiers missed the grand final (Cronulla in 1999, Parra in 2005, St George in 2009), and only St George has failed to make the prelims. I believe since the AFL adopted that system, no team outside the top 4 has made the grand final, since we've adopted the McIntyre we've seen Dragons (1999, 6th), Cowboys (2005, 5th), Parra (2009, 8th) and Roosters (2010, 6th) make it to the grand final from outside the top 4.
The main problem I have with the AFL system, is with our tough game, it can be hard to back up against a tough side. If we used that system this year, we'd probably be playing the Dragons this weekend, backing up from playing the Storm (who are physical, like most minor premiers, meaning we'd be pretty beaten up) whereas the Dragons would be backing up from playing the Knights who don't come close to the Storm in terms of aggression.
The backing up from a tough game is a good point id never thought of.
I believe it should be tough for a side outside the top4 to win the comp, they should ahve to earn it by beating the teams above them away from home the whole way.
The top 4 need to be rewarded for their performance over 26 rounds.
I think it didn't feel right last year that the roosters made the GF. Finishing 6 and winning 1 good golden point game and 2 teams limping into the finals.
