Alastair Clarkson’s Bold Proposal for AFL Origin Timing
Veteran AFL coach Alastair Clarkson has put forward an unconventional idea for when the highly anticipated AFL Origin match should be scheduled in the future. The representative game, which made a welcome return last month, was met with enthusiasm from both fans and players. However, its fast-paced nature unfortunately led to a concerning number of injuries.
Clarkson, a respected figure in Australian Rules Football, voiced his concerns about the current timing of the fixture, highlighting the welfare of the players. “I’ve got a view that players are the most important asset in the game, and if you want to do a forensic deep dive into the casualties from that game, it’s pretty deep if we’re thinking about it,” he stated.
He questioned the necessity of exposing players to such risks so early in the season. “Why do we need to put our players at risk at that point in time. We can chest beat about the fact the game was great and it was quick, I just think it’s an unnecessary risk,” Clarkson elaborated. “I’m all for State of Origin, so is the club – I just think the timing of doing it at the start of February is just crazy.”
The North Melbourne mentor believes that the pre-season and the culmination of the season in September represent the prime real estate on the football calendar. He suggested that the excitement and heightened interest of the latter part of the season could be better leveraged for such a marquee event.
A Pre-Grand Final Spectacle: Clarkson’s Vision
Clarkson’s innovative suggestion is to hold the AFL Origin game in the week leading up to the Grand Final. He drew a parallel to the American Super Bowl, where a two-week build-up allows for extensive preparation and fan engagement.
“I’d like it to be (in) the week before the grand final, like the states with the Super Bowl, where you spend two weeks preparing for the grand final,” Clarkson proposed.
He acknowledged that teams competing in the Grand Final would likely be ineligible to participate in the Origin match. However, he argued that these teams would have a significant prize to focus on in the week that followed.
“You wouldn’t have the grand final teams being able to have a participant in State of Origin, of course, but they’ve got a pretty big prize to chase the week after,” he explained. “I reckon it would be a great celebration of the game, to have State of Origin (after) preliminary final week, get all your events like the Brownlow and All Australian done before the grand final and you clear out the second week for the players to prepare for the game.”
Addressing the Challenges of a Late-Season Fixture
While Clarkson’s proposal aims to capitalise on the end-of-season buzz, it’s not without its potential drawbacks. A late September timeslot could mean players are physically depleted and carrying injuries from a gruelling season. Furthermore, some players might have already commenced their off-season breaks, potentially impacting availability.
Despite these considerations, the return of the AFL Origin game last month was met with widespread enthusiasm from the league’s stars. Players showcased incredible skill and commitment, engaging in a high-octane contest.
However, the injury toll from the recent fixture cannot be ignored. Several prominent players sustained injuries, including:
- Sam Taylor: Will miss the early part of the upcoming season.
- Matt Rowell: His Round 1 preparation has been affected.
- Callum Ah Chee: Similar to Rowell, his preparation for Round 1 has been impacted.
- Jacob Weitering: Also experienced an injury that has disrupted his early season planning.
Clarkson’s perspective underscores a growing conversation within the AFL about player welfare and the strategic placement of high-impact events to maximise both entertainment value and player safety. His suggestion offers a compelling alternative that could potentially redefine the AFL Origin experience.
