THE AFL will introduce a match-ratio system to determine the VFL ladder heading into this year’s finals series, and it could work out favourably for Geelong.
With the lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne in place until at least next Thursday, the hope is for all 22 clubs to play the final home-and-away round on Saturday, August 21.
The Cats have been drawn to play Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
The VFL finals series will begin the following weekend with the traditional top-eight system if the lockdown continues.
If there is a further delay and the finals are shortened to three weeks, the VFL will adopt a straight knockout system with first playing eighth, second vs. seventh, third vs. sixth and fourth vs. fifth in the first week.
If the finals are reduced to two weeks, fifth to eighth will be eliminated, and first would play fourth and second would meet third for a spot in the grand final scheduled for Sunday, September 19.
Geelong sits fourth on the current ladder by point-seven of a per cent from Casey Demons.
With the match-ratio system applied, which determines ladder position by a team’s win percentage, the Cats are at 77 per cent, which would keep it in fourth spot.
Meanwhile, the VFLW Grand Final between Geelong and Collingwood will be delayed until community sport is allowed to be played in metropolitan Melbourne.
“The VFL community has shown great resilience, commitment and dedication to explore all options to have matches played during an unprecedented year for football,” the AFL’s Tristan Salter said.
“To play 107 games during a COVID-interrupted season with state lockdowns and moving borders has been an incredible achievement by the whole industry.”
“In balancing all the challenges we face as a collective VFL industry, the match ratio system is the best outcome to provide the best opportunity to put together a start to finish Finals Series and crown a VFL Premier in 2021.”
“We’re hopeful we can play the rebel VFLW Grand Final and VFL Final Series to reward the VFL football-starved community of fans across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland and celebrate a memorable year of football.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
