What the fan’s had to say……
Damon Beckwith from Essendon says: There is no reason so far as the points table goes to scrap draws. A draw is a fair result when neither team deserves full points at the expense of the other team receiving none. The idea of a penalty shootout is drawn from soccer and I do not know any soccer fans that approve of shootouts as a way of deciding matches. A draw may be an empty feeling for both sides, as Shaw says, but a win on penalties is a hollow victory and a loss feels like daylight robbery. If draws must be abolished then periods of extra time would be a better solution. They would provide the tension Shaw wants to produce and, given our game’s lopsided scoring system, it is fairly unlikely that a drawn game at full time would still be even after 5 minutes extra time (unless neither side scores). In cases when scores are still level after extra time there are a few options: additional periods of extra time as in basketball, golden goal as in soccer (where only a goal would win it), or golden score which would be unique to AFL where any score wins it.
Adrian from Chirnside Park says: Penalty shootouts are not necessary in AFL football, and only once or twice a season at the most will there be a tied game. Splitting the points is a fairer way than having a shootout, and if a player misses a crucial shot they'll become a scapegoat and that isn't fair.
Andy from Park Orchards says: Why do the rules always have too be change :( I don't think there any other sport in the world that has gone through so many changes as footy has.
Wade from Queenscliff says: If it ain't broke, why fix it?
Billie Preston from Ocean Grove says: Of course not! I thought that the pre-season rule changes were bad enough, but a shoot out? No way this is AUSSIE footy, not ENGLISH footy!
Alan Mountain from Ringwood says: No changes. Leave the game alone, it is fantastic as it is.
Jarrod Shaw from Romsey says: I think that introducing a penalty shootout to the game would take away the excitement of a draw. When two teams tie it is a symbol of a great close match. Not always exiting, but close. I think it would be taking too much away from the game.
Anthea Santos from Glenhaven says: penalty shootouts should not be introduced as they devalue the entire game.
Pam Norris from St Albans says: I feel that our game will no longer be unique if we have shoot out. Most sports have only one unit -- a goal-- and as such the chances of a draw are significantly higher. In our great game there is the ubiquitous behind which can alter results leaving draws a rare commodity (and usually very exciting, crowd pleasing affairs). Do not change just because ""other codes do it""--remember they have different scoring systems.
Vicki Watson from Gold Coast says: Does the AFL have a department of bored staff or something? There doesn't appear to be any other reason for some of the changes they want to make. Leave the game alone, and put more of it on television, so those of us on the Gold Coast can see the same amount of games as we did before the new TV deal. Tell the AFL to get back to basics before you lose the fans altogether.
Chris from Templestowe says: Penalty Shootout to decide a match? I may as well go and follow, dare I say it, soccer! There's a reason why soccer has the penalty shootout - they don't have enough goals scored. That's the beauty of our footy - it's fast, it's free flowing and there's plenty of scoring - that's what makes it so exciting. By bringing in a penalty shootout for a drawn game, you make the players pay for one kick, rather than the 120 minutes they slug it out on the field for!
Pip from Melbourne says: That’s one thing that makes the game different from other sports. no one wants to wait around and watch someone kick an easy goal to win the match. The siren at the end of the match is the most satisfying noise if you have won, a decent noise if you have drawn and an awful noise if you have lost.
Adrian Palone from Westmeadows Victoria says: Bringing in a shootout to decide a drawn match is a bad idea as it puts to much pressure on one player where as during the game it's a team effort, imagine a player's morale or self confidence if he lost a match, that would get his team into the finals, because of a bad kick during a shootout.
