scaffidi can't drive wrote:finn wrote:would have thought that the team losing the gf was the second best team for the year; after all they finish second on the ladder that counts.
dont agree that the best two teams make the GF all the time...
BUT - Port after 22 rounds were 2nd on the ladder - that says to me they were the 2nd best team last year (despite playing all the s***t teams twice, cause you still have to win)
I would agree with the 22 rounds theory if all teams played each other twice .... but they don't. That's the point.
When you have a big bunch of teams very closely matched it CAN come down to which team has the more favourable draw that decides who makes the top 4. From there, the current final 8 system historically favours the top 4 (I don't any think team outside the top 4 has made the GF under the current system). So, if in your 22 rounds you play the bottom sides more it may be the difference between finishing 2nd at the end of the minor round, or 5th. Finish 5th and history says you are no chance.
Last year was especially distorting because the bottom sides were SO bad that in most cases it was an automatic W. Frustratingly for me, the Crows lost to Melbourne last year

so I accept you do make your own luck.
At the end of the day, Port's favourable draw wouldn't have been enough if they hadn't beaten the Hawks and the Cats away late in the season so credit where it's due.
In between signatures .....