Are we a genuine premiership threat?

[Vivien]

Originally posted by j s


Crossing fingers and all other duplicated appendages! Touching the wooden head of the nearest work colleague. Throwing salt over left shoulder. Shooting the neighbours black cat. Anything else I should be doing?

I used to think video recording the match would invoke bad luck

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by BonBon
We all were worrying that we wouldn't even make 4th. Now we're scared we won't make 2nd on the ladder! If at the end of the season we finish 4th - I will be happy. Anywhere in the top 4 absolutely suits me.

I think the home gound is of much more value to us than a double chance, however I've lost track of exactly what the rules are about home finals, could someone tell me what the current situation is?

[Vivien]

Originally posted by Ruckman
The double chance doesn't do much for me, unless it's in addition to home ground advantage. Can anyone tell me what the current rules on home final are?

Anyone who finishes top 4 gets a home final at some stage.

[j s]

Originally posted by Vivien
Anyone who finishes top 4 gets a home final at some stage.

1 & 2 get two home finals, 3 & 4 get one home final but play away in the first week.

[Edit: Forgot about 5-6 home final in the first week. See TS's more detailed answer below]

1-4 all get the double chance. two of them get a week off. 5-8 is sudden death all the way and no chance of a week off.

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by Ruckman
I think the home gound is of much more value to us than a double chance, however I've lost track of exactly what the rules are about home finals, could someone tell me what the current situation is?

1 and 2 - The first two finals played are home finals. First home final is week 1. Win first final, get home preliminary final after week off. Lose first final, get home semi final.
3 and 4 - One home final but must play first final away. Win first final, get home preliminary final after week off. Lose first final, get home semi final.
5 and 6 - One home final in week 1. All other finals are away.
7 and 8 - All finals are away.

The above discussion assumes that MCC rules about finals at the MCG do not exist.

Examples:

Sydney in 2003 finished fourth. The Swans were entitled to one home final but had to play the first final away against Port, who finished on top of the ladder. The Swans won the first final, and thus won the right to host a home preliminary final. The Power's other home final was a semi final.

Brisbane in 2003 finished third. The Lions were entitled to one home final but had to play the first final away against the Magpies. The Lions lost, so their home final was a semi final against Adelaide. Having used up their home final, the Lions' next final was away against the Swans. Meanwhile, the Magpies won the right to host a home preliminary final.

[BonBon]

So do 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th get 2 chances for finals if they lose the first round?

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by BonBon
So do 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th get 2 chances for finals if they lose the first round?

Yes.

[Refried Noodle]

Hope these clear things up a bit - from 2003.


<img src="http://www.theage.com.au/ffxMedia/urlmedia_id_1062268474861_/media/2003/08/31/Variables.type/finals_grap_0109.jpg" alt="finals"></img>