'Just ridiculous': Buddy Franklin tees off on huge AFL change, slams cash-grab decision
Buddy Franklin has teed off on the AFL's newly-introduced wildcard round, arguing the decision was made by the organisation "without thought".
His strong criticism comes off the back of Geelong coach Chris Scott's interview where he also called the AFL out, labelling the expanded finals format a blatant cash grab.
Designed as an extension of the traditional finals series, the new wildcard round will see the seventh-placed team play the tenth and eighth play the ninth for the final two spots in the top eight.
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However, Franklin and podcast co-host Shane Crawford dismissed the concept entirely, calling it a "reward of mediocracy".
"This top 10 final series, it's ridiculous," said Franklin on his podcast The Buddy and Shane Show.
Lance Franklin. via Getty Images
"And we think it's dogshit, it rewards mediocrity," echoed Crawford.
Franklin didn't mince his words, arguing the original format should have been left as it was.
"Just leave it [to a] top eight. There's six to seven really strong teams and the rest is pretty average, then you're going to have three or four pretty average teams in the finals," Franklin continued.
"I don't know. For me, I think they should have left it at just a top eight.
"You earn your right to make the top eight. Don't just be gifted a top 10.
"It's just ridiculous, I think they should have just left it - when they play around with all these rules and changing different things, it's just stupidity.
"Making a top 10 teams, it's ridiculous. That's my honest view.
"I think they've [the AFL have] just done it and haven't given it too much thought. It just annoys me."
Geelong coach Chris Scott was displeased on the AFL's change. Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Franklin joins a growing list of frustrated figures speaking out on the controversial decision.
Most critics share the belief that the new system will unfairly reward teams that have had "pretty average" seasons.
This includes Scott, who was remarkably candid in his post-match interview, saying the AFL, "just threw in another couple of finals for no good reason except cash, probably."
