Terrible idea.always thought there was a simple fix to both draft & fixture evenness.
Rd 1-17. Everyone plays each other once.
1-6 qualify for finals
1-6 play each other in final rounds. Determines final order for home finals games
7-12 play each other in final rounds. Best 2 teams from this group make the finals.
13-18 play each other in final rounds to determine first 6 picks.
Top 6 pick still helps the side finishing last.
Pick 1 becomes a reward for a team performing well but still not out of the bottom yet.
Becomes a bit murky with future pick trading though.
i.e Pies could tank to last to avoid GWS getting pick 1 in this scenario.
Most years by rd 17 you barely have percentage separating 4-8.
You really want to punish a team in 8th that could still finish in the top 2?