AFL games will be 'second-rate': Matthews

A host of AFL greats have warned the integrity of the competition will be compromised by Fremantle and North Melbourne's decision to rest players.

Leigh Matthews

AFL icon Leigh Matthews will present the Jock McHale medal to this year's premiership coach. (AAP)

AFL legend Leigh Matthews says Fremantle and North Melbourne's decision to rest players for their round 23 clashes is disrespectful.

Matthews warned fans would get a "second-rate product" from the games, with the Dockers resting 11 players and the Kangaroos omitting nine.

"There's no doubt both Fremantle and the Kangaroos are disrespecting their round 23 fixtures," Matthews told 3AW's Sports Today program on Thursday night.

"Fans who pre-paid for their tickets are getting a second-rate product in a lot of the games this weekend."

Matthews said members of the AFL integrity commission had become tipsters who were banking on the Western Bulldogs to defeat cellar-dwelling Brisbane at the `Gabba on Saturday.

"I'm amazed that the AFL think they can predict the results of games," Matthews said.

"We know Fremantle can't move, but the Kangaroos can move (on the ladder) and the only reason the integrity committee thinks it's okay is they believe the Bulldogs will definitely beat the Lions.

"The league has to find a way I think, for clubs to be more respectful of each fixture."

The eighth-placed Kangaroos face the Tigers (5th) on Friday night and if results go as expected, they will meet again in the first week of the finals.

But if Sydney are upset by Gold Coast or the Lions can cause a boilover against the Bulldogs, there could be ramifications for all clubs outside the top three.

Fellow AFL great Kevin Bartlett said clubs were within their rights to rest players, but called on the league to change the rules.

"The AFL might as well rip up those rules because North Melbourne they'll finish eighth, but by losing this game they know who they're going to play next week and they completely stuff up the Crows," Bartlett told the Nine Network.

Carlton premiership coach David Parkin said the integrity of the competition had been "somewhat degraded".


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world