Maxwell Final Eight System

The Maxwell Final Eight System was devised by John Maxwell-Edwards, a Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne and AFL coach for the university, in 1983. It is a playoff system of the top 8 finishers in a competition to determine which two teams will play in the Grand Final of a competition. The teams play each other over four weeks.

It is currently not used in any major competitions but Maxwell-Edwards believed it to be the fairest system available for playoffs. It was used in the AFL for the 1988 season as a trial, but the AFL reverted back to the McIntyre system the next season.

How it Works

Week 1

• 1st Qualifying Final: 5th vs 8th
• 2nd Qualifying Final: 6th vs 7th

The Losers are eliminated, while the winners go on to Week 2. These winners are then ranked- e.g. if 8th and 6th win, 6th is ranked higher.

Week 2

• 1st Elimination Final: 3rd vs Lowest ranked Qualifying Final winner.
• 2nd Elimination Final: 4th vs. Highest ranked Qualifying Final winner.

The two losing teams are eliminated, the two winning teams progress to Week 3, and are again ranked.

Week 3

• 1st Semi Final: 1st vs Lowest ranked Elimination Final winner.
• 2nd Semi Final: 2nd vs Highest ranked Elimination Final winner.

The two losing teams are eliminated, the two winning teams progress to the Grand Final.

Week 4

• Grand Final: winner of 1st Semi Final vs winner of Semi Final

See also

• Top five play-offs
• Top six play-offs
• Early VFL Final systems
• Current AFL Final 8 System
• Current Super League system, another final-8 system with a unique twist

References