Resting or tanking? Why your AFL club may not win before finals
As finals hopes fade for some AFL teams, some question whether it's better to lose now to win later. But that might not always be the best policy.
The question of whether to rest or tank players in the final stages of the AFL season has sparked debate among clubs, coaches, and fans. While some argue that a late-season loss is preferable to a premature victory, financial and strategic considerations suggest that saving player resources for the future may be more beneficial.
However, the AFL's rules stipulate that clubs must perform to their best abilities and not manipulate their position in the draft or on the ladder for personal gain. The memo sent to all 18 clubs emphasizes the importance of playing honestly and to the best of each team's ability, without resorting to tactics that could be considered prejudicial to the draft.
The definition of "performing on one's merits" is both broad and narrow, encompassing the development of the team and players, as well as the management of player fatigue and injuries, but excluding actions that aim to improve draft position or secure player exchanges. The rules also prohibit any behavior that could be considered as tampering with the outcome of matches or pre-match planning, with penalties for non-compliance.
While tanking and resting players may seem like viable strategies, the AFL rules make it clear that clubs must prioritize fair play and legitimate competitive objectives above all else.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
