Days after Scott Pendlebury suggested the AFL should experiment with its season structure -- including shorter quarters and a best-of-three Grand Final series -- Sydney's Luke Parker and Geelong's Joel Selwood have backed several changes.
On Friday, Pendlebury suggested shorter preseason blocks should be introduced in exchange for an extended finals series and again floated the idea of a wildcard weekend and a best-of-three Grand Final series.
"I feel that most years around Round 16 there's a lull for three or four weeks, so I think a wildcard [weekend] would be pretty cool," the Collingwood captain said. "I've said a best-of-three Grand Final series would be amazing to play in.
"Whatever we do that's different will create a tension first, but then it'll become the new norm, so it's a good opportunity this year to look at [other changes] like games with shorter quarters, (or a) night Grand Final and see how it goes."
The suggestion sparked furious debate on traditional media platforms and social media. On Sunday, Parker and Selwood were asked their thoughts, with the Swans midfielder forthright in his support of shortened games and an extended Grand Final series.
He said a best-of-three Grand Final would increase the chances of the best team of the season winning the premiership even if they had one bad day at the office.
"I actually thought the length of the game [in Round 1] was really good," Parker told ABC Grandstand radio.
"Hopefully, it can in the future potentially create more games of football, quicker turnarounds and maybe an extended season or finals campaign.
"[If a best-of-three Grand Final series was introduced] then the best team for the whole year can have a bit more of a chance of ending up on top, rather than if you're off for a day, costing your whole season.
"So potentially you'll see the best team of the year win it a bit more."
Geelong captain Selwood too agreed with some of Pendlebury's suggestions, especially a shortened preseason and longer home-and-away campaign.
"I think there are a lot more traditionalists out there who probably don't like the idea but a lot of other sports overseas seem to go for a lot more games and a lot less pre-season periods," Selwood told ABC radio.
"So, I love Scott's way of thinking and I probably sit more on his side than the traditionalists here."