Support For 24-Round AFL With Two Byes For Each Team Gains Momentum

A push "to introduce a 24-round season with two byes for each club next year has gained momentum," as the Australian Football League Commission "prepares to rule on its preferred fixturing option next month," according to Glenn McFarlane of the HERALD SUN. A number of clubs -- as well as the AFL Players' Association -- "has been in strong support for granting each club two byes, largely because of player welfare issues." AFL GM of Broadcasting, Scheduling & Legal Affairs Simon Lethlean said, "We have sought the views of our major partners -- the players and the clubs -- and we are now reviewing those responses. We haven't digested all their responses. We have had an initial conversation with the commission and the commission has given us the endorsement to go away and review those comments." The AFLC "wil rule on the make-up of next year's season at its meeting in mid-July" (HERALD SUN, 6/19).