Of course if losing Round 1 doesn't reflect our final position then who cares, it's just something I've noticed since the 80's how poor we seem to do in that first game. Traditionally we have finished well but the last couple of years that hasn't really been true. I would hate to win round 1 and then go on a losing streak I guess. Win every game in a season ...yeah that will do
Higher finish = later start to preseason training, less time for surgical repairs\healing so many senior players have been either unavailable or well below peak at the start of the season.