The scheme was developed primarily as a result of demand for entry to finals matches in the early 1920s exceeding the capacity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was noted that while an average of 80,000 spectators attended a four-game home-and-away round, the capacity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground was limited to about 55,000; and as such, under the "Argus" system in which only one final was played each day, many spectators were turned away. However, playing two semi-finals on each day would allow more spectators to attend.