It feels almost inconceivable to write that the football seasons are returning to normal this week after the AFL’s everyday game experiment.
Anyway, I think another NRL coach has gone. That makes four so far this season and the worst bet in the NRL would be that no others will go.
The AFL, on the other hand doesn’t seem to have the same degree of turmoil. Its major challenge is the distance from its heartland in Melbourne. That’s an existential crisis that actually rivals the soap-opera theatrics of various NRL clubs.
(Draws count as correct)
NRL (last round 6/8; season tally 74/104)
Easts
Penrith
Paramatta
Cronulla
Souths
Canberra
Newcastle
Wests
(Draws count as correct)
AFL (last rounds 6/7 and 6/8 ; season tally 60/95)
Greater Western Sydney
Port Adelaide
Brisbane
Collingwood
Fremantle
Western Bulldogs
Saint Kilda
West Coast
Richmond