The final eight lived, in different formats, for 32 seasons and was successful in winning the confidence of the public, the clubs and the players.

Which raises the question of why, given the success of the eight, it has been killed off and replaced by what should henceforth be known as the top 10.

To many fans, including this one, eight is enough.

In 1990, the AFL had a final five for a 14-team competition. This expanded to a final six for 15 teams when the Crows arrived the following year, and then the great leap forward was made in 1994 when the league introduced the top eight.

Herein lies a case where the AFL’s wish for more product and revenue supersedes other considerations, such as integrity and the value of finishing seventh compared with 10th.

The AFL has been bold over the po

See Full Page