PORT ADELAIDE will play the Gold Coast Suns in Round 23, but the date and time of the game won't be known until a fortnight before. 

Our portadelaidefc.com.au writers explore whether or not a floating fixture is necessary for the final round

Q. Should we scrap the floating final round?

Yes

What possible purpose does it serve to have a floating fixture now that we’ve got a bye week before the final?

Every team competing in the finals is guaranteed a 12-day break at a minimum.

Teams travelling in Round 23 will have plenty of time to recover, and fans like to be able to plan around the footy and possible travel for what has the potential to be a finals-deciding round of footy.

Imagine this – the Power are competing for a spot in the top eight; one of the teams we’re competing with are the Gold Coast Suns; there’s a big chance the Round 23 clash between the Power and Suns could decide eighth spot. 

You want to go, but how do you book your flights, your leave, your accommodation without knowing when the game is? 

Will it be given the Friday night timeslot given the game's importance? Or will it be a Sunday game?

The bye makes sense going into finals, the floating fixture does not.

- Andrew Fuss

No

Logic would suggest a floating final round is no longer necessary – with a 12-day break between the final round and the first finals weekend, the AFL can surely fixture the final round without fear of disadvantaging teams that qualify for September.

But we’re forgetting one thing – blockbusters.

To finish the home-and-away season off with a bang is still something worth consideration, especially as this is the only football fans would see before potentially a fortnight.

When you consider the influence a game might have on the final eight, there’s a genuine need for the AFL to afford itself some flexibility.

- Matthew Agius

What do you think?