Why 5th place is a dud...

[timbo]

Since 2000 with the inception of the new finals system 4 years out of 6 times the 5th place team has been eliminated week one. Shows how important a top four is...

Ironically the last team to win the GF out of the top four was the Crows in 1998 who finished 5th. But they lost in week won in the McIntyre system.

[punter257]

interesting stat there
felt sorry for the kangas today coming up against the reigning premiers

[timbo]

another sort of pointless fact:

1 plays 8th this week and 3rd plays 6th in week 2. These would be week 1 finals in the mcintyre system.

The flaw with the system was that if either of the top 2 lost in week 1 they would play away the next week (ala geelong in '97).

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by timbo
another sort of pointless fact:

1 plays 8th this week and 3rd plays 6th in week 2. These would be week 1 finals in the mcintyre system.

The flaw with the system was that if either of the top 2 lost in week 1 they would play away the next week (ala geelong in '97).

No I think the flaw in the previous system was that you could advance to another week based on results in other games, even if you finished 6th. Meaningless finals, and why should a double chance be given to a side that finishes so low.

Under the current system, if you are outside the top 4, it doesn't matter, you are eliminated if you lose, and IMO thats how it should be.
The best part of the current system is that to win the premiership, you have to either be (a) a top 2 team after 22 rounds or (b) beat one of the top 2 teams after 22 rounds, in the finals. Unless you can be that or do that, you cannot win the flag. Rewards performance over 22 rounds of the year not just the finals.

[EMJ]

From explanations above the current system is the better one.