The competition format was changed for the second consecutive season, although the format was similar to that used in the previous year. As part of this year's competition, the NAB Regional Challenge was dissolved, with live matches to be staged at both regular AFL venues and select regional centres.[1]
The format for the 2012 NAB Cup was as follows:
Weeks 1 and 2:(Round 1 is split over weeks 1 and 2) The eighteen teams were split into six pools of three teams each. The three teams in each pool played each other in games of two 20-minute halves, with all three games being played over a three-hour period at the one venue.
Weeks 3 and 4: (Round 2 and 3) The eighteen teams played a full length match each week in either metropolitan or regional areas.
Week 5:(Round 4) The two best ranked teams played in the NAB Cup Grand Final. The other sixteen teams will play a full length practice match in either metropolitan or regional areas.
Games
The fixtures were announced by the AFL on 26 October 2011,[2][3] while the playing order of first-round games were announced by the AFL on 23 January 2012.[4]
The match between Essendon and St Kilda was cancelled because heavy rain in northern Victoria prevented the flights chartered by the Essendon Football Club from landing in or near Wangaratta. The decision by Essendon to fly, in the face of adverse weather forecasts well out from the date of the game, was criticised by many, including Victorian Minister for Sport Hugh Delahunty.[7][8] After initially treating the result as a draw, the AFL awarded the full four points to St Kilda, who had travelled to Wangaratta by bus the previous day.[9] The cancellation was a disappointment for the people of Wangaratta; the match, which had been sold out in advance, was a major event in the area; St Kilda played an intraclub match for the crowd that stayed, and the city received financial compensation from the league for the cancellation.[10]
