Cometti: If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Dennis Cometti,
The West Australian
Updated November 1, 2012, 5:38 am
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/afl/15269751/cometti-if-it-aint-broke-why-fix-it/
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The deal is done. East Perth and Peel have rolled over without due regard for their fellow WAFL clubs.
The decision to anoint East Perth and Peel as host clubs for our two AFL teams is as risky as it is disappointing.
They have accepted too little and others will be hurt by their largesse.
Despite conventional wisdom, I’m far from convinced this grab for power by the Eagles and Dockers is a good move even in a competitive sense.
Under the existing structure (to apply for one more season) it’s easy to argue West Coast is the most successful club of the AFL modern era.
Since 1987 the Eagles have played in 43 finals, the same number as Geelong.
People who dismiss West Coast’s competition-high 43 finals appearances in the AFL or Fremantle’s resurgence under Ross Lyon by suggesting ‘we could have played in more finals previously’ may be missing the point.
John Worsfold has said control of a WAFL club ‘might give’ his club ‘an additional one percent’, but what if he’s wrong, either way?
Over-estimated, we’re witnessing a body blow to the WAFL. Another act of disrespect! For what?
Under-estimated (let’s say it’s as high as 5 or 10 per cent), our clubs may actually pay in draft picks.
Sometimes there is disincentive to finish 15th or 16th when you could have finished 17th or 18th, trivial things like drafting the likes of Chris Judd or Nic Naitanui.
Small percentages only count when you’re good enough to win it all!
Improving poor cattle mid-table during the ups and downs of AFL footy has counter-productive written all over it.
We are dealing with very quasi science here. Still, against a background of success, maybe in another 25 years we’ll know the answer.
I’m in the minority but I find it a disappointing day for local footy.
I must have misunderstood. Is the saying ‘if it ain’t broke, break it’?
Ric Charlesworth, regarded as Australia’s most successful active coach, is also confused.
Over lunch (something planned well before Tuesday night’s decision), Charlesworth expressed concern and surprise at the Eagles’ and Dockers’ single-minded push for control.
He, like me, thinks diversity of coaching and ideas is a major plus and that the value of an outside environment with fresh challenges and different faces favours success.
He also thinks the Eagles are well placed to win next season’s flag. No argument from me.
But how’s the irony?
That’s when you scrap the model?
