[Gilowero]

As reported here the WAFL are proposing bringing back a top 5 for the 2012 WAFL season.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...five-for-wafl/

I am all for it as i have brought it up on forums over the years. We had a top 5 before Peel came in and i agree that was rewarding mediocrity to have 5 teams make the finals and just 3 miss out but with 9 teams i think it makes a lot more sense and lets face it most of us (who's team clearly isn't going to play in September) loses interest in the season once the make up of the top 4 becomes pretty clear.

Having a top 5 creates interest in the season for a bit longer and i think it will enhance the finals series and it will also give a huge incentive to finish top of the ladder which i think there should be a reward for the team that finishes on top after the home and away season.

Pretty sure this is how it will work.

Week 1: 4th v 5th (elimination final)
2nd v 3rd ( 1st semi final)
top side (bye)

Week 2: winner of elimination final v loser of 1st semi (qualifying final)
1st v winner of 1st semi (2nd semi final)

week 3: winner of qualifying final v loser of 2nd semi (preliminary final)
winner of 2nd semi into the GF

week 4: winner of prelim v winner of 2nd semi (Grand Final)

I'm all for it.

[Talicoabilk]

Its probably the only way Perth and Peel will ever play in a final.

History shows now that 4th placed teams rarely go on and win a flag let alone a 5th placed team.
There was barely any interest in the finals this season an extra game isnt going to increase any more interest.
Theres already a reward for finishing top of the ladder,a home final.
I dont think the top team would like 2 byes in 3 weeks by finishing top of the ladder,bye the first week and another bye if it wins the second semi with a potential 3rd bye if the top team is scheduled for a home and away season bye in the last game.That would make it 2 weeks of NO footy before they play the second semi.


Keep it as a final 4.

[HartOvara]

Ive never liked a top 5.... Maybe if we had 10 teams it would be OK.

Having said that, its not totally absurd or anything. It would allow an extra week of finals and this may enable the WAFL to play the Grand Final after the AFL final. And I am all for that.

But I do remember in 1992 when the WAFL had a top 5... East Perth managed to scrape into 5th position with some mediocre performances. They ended up crushing Subiaco in the Elimination final and followed that up by beating Swans in the 1st Semi Final. They ended up falling just 4 points short in the Preliminery Final to East Fremantle (who went on to win the flag the following week). So its not like 5th spot is always just a token position.

Ive never been in favour of it, but I dont have a massive problem with a top 5 either.... I guess it creates more opportunities at the end of the day. My guess is the WAFL will go with it anyway.