AFL Player, Club Feedback Led To Compressed Schedule

Australian Football League CEO Gillon McLachlan said that the decision to "compress the season with 20 consecutive days of football was motivated by a wish to 'bank' games while it is possible to do so." In explaining the "radical compression" of the season, McLachlan said the league also decided to condense games after "receiving feedback from players and clubs." He said, "We're banking games while we can, while everything is going well." He added that it would "give fans a new experience in terms of entertainment." McLachlan: "It's a unique opportunity to create a new product for our supporters and members" (THE AGE, 7/22).

Meanwhile, Fox and Channel 7 are "not concerned about the potential for viewer burnout." But both networks said that it was "too early to suggest whether the new-look fixture, which will feature night-time double headers ... was potentially a glimpse into the viewing future" (HERALD SUN, 7/22).