Geelong captain and president of the AFL Players’ Association, Patrick Dangerfield, has emphatically stated, “it’s time” for the AFL to contemplate shortening quarter lengths.
Dangerfield took to the social media platform X to share his thoughts following an interview with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
In that interview, Silver proposed cuts of two minutes to the NBA’s quarters, a suggestion that received endorsement from Aussie basketball legend Andrew Bogut.
This prompted Dangerfield to recommend a similar adjustment for the AFL, where current quarters last for 20 minutes, plus added time.
The premiership-winning midfielder expressed concerns that public interest in the sport could wane if the AFL doesn’t adapt to the faster-paced environment of other sports.
“As people’s attention spans decrease, the discussion around AFL quarter lengths will persist. It’s time to cut them down—get ready for the backlash,” Dangerfield remarked on X.
He further elaborated on his views.
“I’m aware of the arguments regarding ‘record ratings and attendance’. Fewer games mean less pay—blah, blah, blah,” he said.
However, Dangerfield is optimistic that shorter quarters could enhance sponsorship opportunities, as consumer desire may rise.
Could shorter quarters lead to fewer injuries for AFL players? Getty
“It’s straightforward: supply and demand. Lower the supply, and demand increases,” he asserted.
“That’s how you attract sponsors and determine player salaries. The NBA faces an oversupply, while the NFL has excelled in managing supply and demand, and I’m not convinced we have done so effectively.”
Dangerfield has long been a proponent of trimming the length of the AFL season, which has seen an upward trend in recent years.
The AFL now features an Opening Round and Gather Round, extending the home-and-away season to 24 matches, not including the four weeks of finals.
Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats leads his team off after their victory over Port Adelaide Power in the AFL Second Qualifying Final at Adelaide Oval on September 5, 2024. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images) Getty
Each club still enjoys two byes during the regular season, with an additional week off if they qualify for finals before September.
Back in 2020, when the AFL had to shorten and relocate their season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, quarters were reduced to 15 minutes.
During that season, which saw the Cats reach the grand final, Dangerfield expressed satisfaction with the shorter game length.
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