There have been quite a few ladder predictions lately so lets have a look at the last 6 years what's happened in the finals.
2009 & 2010 the top 4 was the same but the order changed between Geelong, Collingwood, St Kilda and Doggies. Since then 2 or 3 changes happen ever year to the final 8 and every year the top 4 has changed either comparing home and away to home and away or after finals and a top 4 side has gone out in straight sets. The last 3 years at least one top 4 sides have gone out in straight sets after 14 years when there were only 2 examples under the current system, 2001 Port by 3 pts and 2007 WCE in extra time. The weeks rest come finals might ensure another top 4 side goes out in straight sets in 2017.
2011 Into 4 Haw, WCE Out of 4 WB, StK ........ Into 8 WCE, Ess Out of 8 WB Freo
2012 Into 4 Adel, Syd Out of 4 Gee, WCE ....... Into 8 Adel, Freo, NM Out of 8 Ess, StK, Carl
2013 into 4 Gee, Freo Out of 4 Adel, Col ......... Into 8 Rich, Port, Carl out of 8 Adel, WCE, NM
** Ess finished 7th but kicked out of finals for doping
2014 Into 4 no change Out of 4 no change........ Into 8 Ess, NM Out of 8 Carl, Col
** 2 sides out in straight sets Geelong (5th) and Freo (6th) and Port finished 3rd, NM 4th.
2015 Into 4 WCE Out of 4 Gee........................ Into 8 WCE, WB, Adel Out of 8 Port, Gee, Ess
** Sydney out in straight sets (5th) NM finished 4th.
2016 Into 4 Gee, GWS Out of 4 WCE, Freo........ Into 8 Gee, GWS 8 Out of 8 Freo, Rich
** Hawks out in straight sets (5th) Bulldogs climbed from 7th to premiers.
So in 6 season 15 of the 18 sides have played in finals. Only Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast haven't. It wouldn't surprise me if Melbourne and/or GC make it in 2017.