Thursday/Friday nights should definitely be based on last year's ladder position, none if you finish bottom 5 the previous season and heaps if you were top 4.
I agree, I understand what they're trying to do with the rule but it seems you either kick it down the line and hope it stays in knowing you'll likely give away a free if it goes out or kick it in more and run the risk of giving away a goal. I don't know how they can better adjudicate it but it needs tweaking. At least they've been relatively consistent with it for the most part.
Not too fussed. We were able to lift against better opposition. Ruckless. Clokes 0.3 wouldve made a difference. not to mention Dickson, Crameri, Roughead, Wallis and Morris.