The AFL has successfully implemented Rivalry Rounds over the past few seasons where the competition’s fiercest and most traditional rivals go head-to-head in blockbuster clashes.
It has generated a great deal of public interest and generally results in some of the season’s biggest national attendance figures.
The QAFL will introduce the idea next year by adding Rivalry Challenge Matches as part of their 2010 fixture.
However, the QAFL Rivalry Challenge Matches will be a unique concept that will include a series of matches at different stages throughout the season rather than scheduling them all on the same weekend.
The QAFL will host a total of 10 Rivalry Challenge Matches in 2010 with each game carrying a purse of $500 prize money for the winner. Each club will play two Rivalry Challenge Matches against the team most closely considered as their rival throughout the season for a potential $1,000 return.
A Rivalry Challenge Match Ladder will also operate with four points being awarded for a win, zero points for a loss, two points for a draw and percentage calculated under the regular ‘points for’ and ‘points against’ format.
The club that sits on top of the Rivalry Challenge Match Ladder after the tenth and final Challenge Match has been played will receive a trophy and be crowned as Rivalry Challenge Match Champions. The victorious club will also receive an additional $500 cheque to give to a charity of their choice.
The QAFL rivalry pairings are as follows:
* Brisbane Lions v Mt Gravatt
* Morningside v Southport
* Aspley v Western Magpies
* Broadbeach v Labrador
* Redland v NT Thunder
The Brisbane Lions reserves side and Mt Gravatt will clash in the first ever Rivalry Challenge Match in the QAFL season-opener at the Gabba on Thursday 1 April.
The game will be played as a curtain raiser to the blockbuster Easter Thursday night match between the Lions and Carlton.
QAFL Rivalry Challenge Matches
The QAFL will introduce Rivalry Challenge Matches next year as part of their 2010 fixture.
