countess, the solution is really simple . . . . . . and it would not disrupt the boards for too long.

We all know that on Saturday afternoon everyone will be watching the AFL Grand Final and cheering on the Mighty Magpies.  So, with this in mind, shut down the boards for three hours during the GF and lock all the threads on the Buying and Selling board.  Then, just reactivate those on the first 5 or so pages of the thread lists.  This should stop these old threads getting dragged up.