I don't think the AFL fix games, but they certainly seem to give things a nudge in the direction of the preferred outcome.
They ignore trade rules when it suits their desired result, e.g. Geelong trading a pick they shouldn't have, or Davis announcing he'd signed with GWS before that was allowed. They manipulate the draw and schedule to get what they want, performing teams getting rewarded with prime slots when it's th right teams, when it isn't then prime slots need to go to clubs who need the exposure...
It's why I'm not getting too excited about our chances at a flag. We're good enough, but we're too far down the priority list for the AFL.
#1 Would be Geelong - A Dangerfield flag is their wet dream, especially after he misses a Brownlow.
#2 The expansion market Giants.
#3 The miracle comeback 0-6 Swans.
Unsure of order, but ahead of us
Richmond, finally.
Melbourne, finally.
Dogs scrape into the 8 again and back to back, what fight they have!
We're probably ahead of Port, but maybe not if they want the 13-14 crowd to come back.