For those wondering why I did not update my VC thread, it's because I went Bont who pretty much everyone went.
I didn't want to spook 65% of people and turn them off a popular choice.
Those sort of optimistic results do not belong here.
I did have Bont VC myself, but still got outscored by basically everyone here. No point ranting about that though, as I'd be ranting at myself, as it's my team. Wish you had scared a few off Bont, it might have helped me!
Back on topic, my rant is I am annoyed at the AFL for giving most of the other teams in with a shot at finals a soft draw on the way home. It is going to be tough for the Hawks now having a bad percentage, as barring some upset results, most other contenders for the last few spots in the finals have an easy enough draw to finish ahead:
Teams in 5th - 8th:
Cats: Dockers, Saints, Eagles (8 points ahead - should win at least 2 of these)
Dockers: Cats, Giants, Power (6 points ahead - probably the team most at risk. No definite wins here)
Dogs: Crows, Roos, Giants (4 points ahead - should win the next two to secure a spot)
Blues: Hawks, Eagles, Saints (4 points ahead - percentage will hurt us, as they should win their last two)
Bombers being 2 points ahead are also in contention of course, Lions in Rd 24 looks tough for them though. Definite chance in the other two (Suns, Swans).
Even winning out, or finishing with 14 wins, 8th is probably realistically the best the Hawks can do from here. Crazy season if a team finishes 8th (or 9th) with 56 pts, and it will quite possibly happen. Not saying the Hawks will win their remaining 3 matches of course, it's more that even if they do end up winning 14 matches, they may need to rely on other results still. That shouldn't happen - I can't remember another year where 14 wins wasn't clearly in the finals.
(Yes, the Hawks also have what looks like a soft draw from here - as they should for finishing 3rd last in 2023. No issues with that).