Duff and Quarters: The nine-point super-goal, the AFL’s scoring saviour

Could multiple AFL issues be fixed with a footy freak-show favourite of the past, the nine-point super-goal?

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A major from beyond 50 is one of the most impressive sights in the AFL but on this week’s episode of The Duff and Quarters Podcast The West Australian’s chief football writer Mark Duffield and The Sunday Times sports editor Glen Quartermaine believe this forgotten relic of commercialised footy could be the game’s scoring saviour.

“Here’s one for Quarters to ponder and our listeners can give us feedback,” Duffield said.

“The sport that has the most similar scoring profile to football is basketball and basketball introduced the three-point shot.

“So why not to encourage more attacking games and spread the zone defence, do we not have an equivalent in three-point shot in football.”

The “super-goal” was first introduced before the AFL’s preseason tournament in 2003, then named the Wizard Cup.

Any goal within the tournament that was kicked from beyond 50m was awarded nine points rather than six.

Footy fans have seen flashes of the nine-pointer since but it has been limited to a novelty in the preseason or during the EJ Whitten Legends charity game.

Duffield believes there to be real potential for the AFL today if the goal was not just introduced but allowed to develop, much like the shift in three-pointers’ importance over the last decade in basketball.

“They’ve always mucked around with it and turned it into a bit of a circus thing rather than say let’s have a nine-point goal,” Duffield said.

“Teams from a long way behind can start taking shots from long range and try and bridge the gap and teams that have deficiencies in other areas can bridge the gap on the big teams just by having a great nine-point shooter.

“And it would bring back the torpedo!” Quartermain concluded.

Duff and Quarters want your thoughts on the matter, email your opinion on the nine-pointer to the podcast’s MAILBAG on Thursday and we’ll read them all out on the program - email to josh.garlepp@wanews.com.au.

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