Geelong coach Chris Scott has proposed a mid-year industry shutdown as a way to preserve fixture equality and ensure players are well rested and fit and firing for the entirety of a season.
The addition of Opening Round to the AFL calendar has created even more fixture inequality in 2024, with some clubs having had two byes before other clubs have had one.
Chris Scott’s troops kicked off their campaign in round one against St Kilda and had their bye in round 13, while the likes of Brisbane, Sydney and GWS had all had two weeks off by that stage.
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“There has been a lot of discussion around how the competition could evolve. I think one of those things that is generally on the table is an industry shutdown throughout the middle of the year,” Scott told reporters on Thursday.
“The best holidays are when everyone is away. When footy is still going, you can’t be completely switched off from it all.
“I love the idea of talking about these things. I think everyone who has looked at it logically would come to the conclusion that this year has been a bit of a mess, so it will be different next year, there is no doubt about that.
“I think in principle, I am supportive of it [industry shutdown]. The reason the Christmas break is the best is because everyone is off. You can take a break in November but it’s not the same because stuff is still going on.”
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Scott’s suggestion would align with the model currently seen in numerous European soccer competitions.
Both Italy’s Serie A and France’s League 1 use winter breaks in their scheduling, while the Bundesliga, Germany’s top-flight soccer competition, takes several weeks off in the middle of winter.
Known by locals as ‘Die Winterpause’, the extended break allows players and staff a chance to recharge their batteries ahead of the second half of the season.
The Cats face off against the Blues in a Friday night blockbuster in round 15.