THE AFL has revealed a number of initiatives it hopes will bring added fairness to the 2013 premiership season fixture, which will be released at the end of October.
Under the new arrangements, this year's top four teams (the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Adelaide) will only play the bottom four teams (Greater Western Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs) on one occasion in 2013.
However, the Swans will be granted two games against GWS to help build their rivalry.
The 10 non-finalists from 2012 are being scheduled to have a maximum of two return meetings against the top eight sides from 2012.
And, where possible, the eight finalists from 2012 are being fixtured to have a maximum of two return meetings with the bottom 10 sides from 2012.
This year's fixture came under fire when Adelaide was perceived to have been given a big a boost by a draw that included two matches against strugglers Gold Coast, GWS and Port Adelaide.
But the League is attempting to ensure such a discrepancy is avoided in 2013.
Next season's fixture will also include a bye for each club between rounds 11 and 13.
"The AFL will again schedule three rounds of six matches to provide as much continuity as possible for fans, and with the goal of a team from each state competing in a match in each week through that period," said the League's general manager of broadcasting, scheduling and legal affairs, Simon Lethlean.
