Geelong coach Chris Scott has called on the AFL to make a decision on this year’s pre-finals bye.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan revealed during the week that the pre-finals bye could be scrapped to keep the season going amid COVID-enforced lockdowns in Victoria and New South Wales.
Scott wants an answer from the AFL after the Cats clinched a top four spot by beating St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
“I must say, even in the turmoil that the world's endured over the last 18 months, to not know whether there's a bye six or seven days out (from the final round), we should know by now,” Scott told reporters after Geelong's 14-point win.
“I haven't heard a good argument – and this is completely driven by self-interest, so let me put that on the table – maybe you guys could enlighten me – what's the argument for not having the bye?
“You would only bring the (finals) forward if you thought things were getting worse in Melbourne, as it is at the moment, no crowds are no crowds, you can't get worse than that.”
Geelong remains a chance to finish in the top two ahead of next week’s Round 23 blockbuster against fellow premiership contender Melbourne.
The fairness of the pre-finals bye has been widely questioned since it was introduced in 2016.