MoSHBODS has what I think are fairly described as interesting ideas about the 2024 Finals series, and has Port Adelaide as firm favourites for the Flag, but also as very nervous should the Hawks or the Dogs be the team they face in the Grand Final as you can see in the chart below that are based on 10,000 simulations using the latest MoSHBODS Ratings and show how likely it is that each team goes out in a certain week, and who they are most likely to go out to if they do.

(It also shows which teams they are most likely to defeat in the Grand Final when that is their outcome.)

This year’s post Round 23 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: certain of being finalists; certain of Top 4; near certain of being Minor Premier

2. Port Adelaide: certain of being finalists; certain of Top 4; tiny chances of being Minor Premier

3. GWS: certain of being finalists; certain of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

4. Geelong: certain of being finalists; 90% chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

5. Brisbane Lions: certain of being finalists; 10% chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

6. Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs: 95-99% chances of being finalists; 0.3-1% chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. Carlton: 80% chances of being finalists; tiny chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

8. Fremantle: 25% chances of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

9. Collingwood, Essendon, Melbourne, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Adelaide, West Coast, North Melbourne, and Richmond: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

   (NB Whilst Collingwood are, mathematically, capable of playing Finals, the circumstances required to make that occur are extremely unlikely to occur. The best chance is for Fremantle and Carlton to lose, and Collingwood to win, and for the Carlton and Collingwood margins to be such that Collingwood closes a percentage gap of almost 11. That would require the respective margins to total something close to 200 points.)

This year’s post Round 22 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: certain of being finalists; near certain of Top 4; 80% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Geelong and Port Adelaide: near certain of being finalists; 80-85% chances of Top 4; 7% chances of being Minor Premier

3. GWS and Brisbane Lions: near certain of being finalists; 60-65% chances of Top 4; 2% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs: 90-95% chances of being finalists; 0.5-2% chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

5. Fremantle and Carlton: 50-60% chances of being finalists; tiny to 5% chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

6. Essendon and Collingwood: 2-5% chances of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. Gold Coast: snowball’s chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4 or of being Minor Premier

8. Melbourne, St Kilda, Adelaide, West Coast, North Melbourne, and Richmond: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 21 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney and Brisbane Lions: virtually certain of being finalists; 90-95% chances of Top 4; 40-50% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Port Adelaide, Geelong, and Western Bulldogs: 95% chances of being finalists; 40-60% chances of Top 4; 1-5% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Fremantle, GWS, and Carlton: 75-80% chances of being finalists; 15-25% chances of Top 4; tiny-1% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Hawthorn: 50% chances of being finalists; tiny chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

5. Essendon: 20% chances of being finalists; tiny chances of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

6. Collingwood: 5% chances of being finalists; no chance of Top 4 or of being Minor Premier

7. Melbourne: tiny chance of being finalists, no chance of Top 4 or Minor Premier

8. Gold Coast, St Kilda, Adelaide, West Coast, North Melbourne, and Richmond: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 20 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: virtually certain of being finalists; 99% chances of Top 4; 82% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Brisbane Lions and Fremantle: 94-98% chances of being finalists; 60-75% chances of Top 4; 5-10% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Carlton, Geelong, and Western Bulldogs: 90% chances of being finalists; 35-45% chances of Top 4; 0.2-1% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, and GWS: 60-70% chances of being finalists; 15% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

5. Essendon, Melbourne, Collingwood, and Gold Coast: 5-10% chances of being finalists; slim chances of Top 4; no chances of being Minor Premier

6. St Kilda, Adelaide, West Coast, Richmond, and North Melbourne: slim to no chance of being finalists, no chance of Top 4 or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 19 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: virtually certain of being finalists; 99.7% chances of Top 4; 93% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton, Brisbane Lions, and Fremantle: 94-98% chances of being finalists; 65-80% chances of Top 4; 1-3% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Geelong: 90% chances of being finalists; 40% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

4. Western Bulldogs: 70% chances of being finalists; 15% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

5. GWS, Port Adelaide, and Hawthorn: 50-60% chances of being finalists; 5-15% chances of Top 4; slim to no chances of being Minor Premier

6. Essendon, Melbourne, and Gold Coast: 25-30% chances of being finalists; 1-5% chances of Top 4; slim to no chances of being Minor Premier

7. Collingwood: 5% chance of being finalists; slim chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

8. Adelaide and St Kilda: slim chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4 or being Minor Premier

9. West Coast, Richmond, and North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 18 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: virtually certain of being finalists; 99.8% chances of Top 4; 94% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton and Geelong: 97% chances of being finalists; 70-80% chances of Top 4; 1-2% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Brisbane Lions and Fremantle: 85-90% chances of being finalists; 45-50% chances of Top 4; 0.5-1% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Essendon: 65% chances of being finalists; 15% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

5. GWS, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, and Western Bulldogs: 45-55% chances of being finalists; 5-10% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

6. Hawthorn, Gold Coast, and Collingwood: 25-30% chance of being finalists; 2-4% chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. Adelaide and St Kilda: slim chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4 or being Minor Premier

8. West Coast, Richmond, and North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 17 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: virtually certain of being finalists; 99.4% chances of Top 4; 85% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton: 98% chances of being finalists; 85% chances of Top 4; 10% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Fremantle, Geelong, and Brisbane Lions : 85-90% chances of being finalists; 45-55% chances of Top 4; 1-2% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Essendon: 75% chances of being finalists; 25% chances of Top 4; 1% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Port Adelaide, GWS, Melbourne, and Collingwood: 40-55% chances of being finalists; 5-15% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

6. Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast, and Hawthorn: 15-30% chance of being finalists; 1-3% chance of Top 4; no or tiny chance of being Minor Premier

7. St Kilda and Adelaide: 0.5% chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4 or being Minor Premier

8. West Coast, Richmond, and North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 16 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: virtually certain of being finalists; 99.7% chances of Top 4; 90% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton: 99% chances of being finalists; 90% chances of Top 4; 10% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Fremantle and Brisbane Lions : 85-90% chances of being finalists; 45-60% chances of Top 4; 0.5-1% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Geelong: 75% chances of being finalists; 25-30% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

5. Collingwood, Essendon, Western Bulldogs, and Gold Coast: 45-60% chances of being finalists; 10-20% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

6. Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Melbourne, and GWS: 30-40% chance of being finalists; 5% chance of Top 4; no or tiny chance of being Minor Premier

7. Adelaide and St Kilda: 0.4-0.8% chance of being finalists; no or tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

8. West Coast, Richmond, and North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 15 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: virtually certain of being finalists; 99.9% chances of Top 4; 95% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton: 98% chances of being finalists; 85% chances of Top 4; 4% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, Collingwood, and Essendon: 70-85% chances of being finalists; 30-45% chances of Top 4; 0.2-0.5% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Geelong, Western Bulldogs, and GWS: 50-60% chances of being finalists; 15% chances of Top 4; slim chances of being Minor Premier

5. Melbourne, Gold Coast, Port Adelaide, and Hawthorn: 25-35% chance of being finalists; 4-7% chance of Top 4; no or tiny chance of being Minor Premier

6. St Kilda and Adelaide: 0.5-2% chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. West Coast, Richmond, and North Melbourne: tiny to no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 14 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: 99.99% chances of being finalists; 99.5% chances of Top 4; 90% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton: 90-95% chances of being finalists; 70% chances of Top 4; 4% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, GWS, and Brisbane Lions: 60-70% chances of being finalists; 25-35% chances of Top 4; 0.2-1% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, and Gold Coast: 40-55% chances of being finalists; 12-16% chances of Top 4; 0.1-0.2% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Hawthorn: 25% chance of being finalists; 4% chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

6. St Kilda and Adelaide: 0.5-2% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. West Coast, Richmond and North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 13 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: 99.9% chances of being finalists; 98% chances of Top 4; 80% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton: 90-95% chances of being finalists; 70% chances of Top 4; 7% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Fremantle, Collingwood, Geelong, Essendon, Port Adelaide, and Brisbane Lions: 65-80% chances of being finalists; 25-45% chances of Top 4; 0.5-3% chances of being Minor Premier

4. GWS: 50% chances of being finalists; 20% chances of Top 4; 0.5% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Melbourne, Gold Coast, and Western Bulldogs: 40% chances of being finalists; 10% chances of Top 4; tiny chances of being Minor Premier

6. Hawthorn: 15% chance of being finalists; 2% chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. St Kilda and Adelaide: 2% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

8. West Coast, Richmond and North Melbourne: none or virtually no chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 12 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: 99% chances of being finalists; 95% chances of Top 4; 75% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton: 90% chances of being finalists; 60% chances of Top 4; 8% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Fremantle, Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood, and GWS: 60-75% chances of being finalists; 30-40% chances of Top 4; 3-4% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, and Gold Coast: 50-60% chances of being finalists; 15-20% chances of Top 4; 0.5-1% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Brisbane Lions: 40% chance of being finalists; 10% chance of Top 4; none or virtually no chance of being Minor Premier

6. Hawthorn and Adelaide: 7-10% chance of being finalists; 0.5-1% chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. Hawthorn: 5% chance of being finalists; 0.5% chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

8. St Kilda: 2% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

9. West Coast, Richmond and North Melbourne: none or virtually no chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 11 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: 99% chances of being finalists; 95% chances of Top 4; 75% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton and Melbourne: 75-80% chances of being finalists; 40% chances of Top 4; 4% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Collingwood, Port Adelaide, and Geelong: 70% chances of being finalists; 35% chances of Top 4; 3-4% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Essendon and GWS: 60-65% chances of being finalists; 25-30% chances of Top 4; 2-4% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Fremantle, Gold Coast, and Western Bulldogs: 45-50% chances of being finalists; 15-20% chances of Top 4; 0.5-1% chances of being Minor Premier

6. Brisbane Lions: 35% chance of being finalists; 10% chance of Top 4; none or virtually no chance of being Minor Premier

7. Adelaide: 15-20% chance of being finalists; 3% chance of Top 4; none or virtually no chance of being Minor Premier

8. Hawthorn: 5% chance of being finalists; 0.5% chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

9. St Kilda and West Coast: 0.5-1% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

10. Richmond and North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 10 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney: 99% chances of being finalists; 90% chances of Top 4; 65% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Geelong: 85% chances of being finalists; 50% chances of Top 4; 10% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Port Adelaide, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, and Melbourne: 65-70% chances of being finalists; 30% chances of Top 4; 2-4% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Gold Coast, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions, and GWS: 50-60% chances of being finalists; 15-25% chances of Top 4; 1-2% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Adelaide: 10% chance of being finalists; 1% chance of Top 4; none or virtually no chance of being Minor Premier

6. Hawthorn, St Kilda, and West Coast: 1-4% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. Richmond and North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 9 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Sydney and Geelong: 95% chances of being finalists; 70-80% chances of Top 4; 20-40% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Melbourne: 85% chances of being finalists; 50% chances of Top 4; 10% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Carlton, GWS, Collingwood, Port Adelaide, and Essendon: 65-75% chances of being finalists; 25-35% chances of Top 4; 5% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, Gold Coast, and Western Bulldogs: 35-45% chances of being finalists; 10% chances of Top 4; 0.5-1% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Adelaide, St Kilda, and Hawthorn: 5-10% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; none or virtually no chance of being Minor Premier

6. West Coast, Richmond, and North Melbourne: none or virtually no chance of being finalists; none or virtually no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

There is now, then, an emerging gap between a clear Top 8 and the rest of the teams, and also a clear Top 2.

This year’s post Round 8 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Geelong and Sydney: 95%+ chances of being finalists; 70-80% chances of Top 4; 25-35% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Melbourne and GWS: 85-90% chances of being finalists; 50-60% chances of Top 4; 10-15% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Carlton and Collingwood: 65-70% chances of being finalists; 30% chances of Top 4; 3% to 4% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Essendon, and Brisbane Lions: 50-55% chances of being finalists; 15-20% chances of Top 4; 1-2% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, and St Kilda: 15-30% chance of being finalists; 2-5% chance of Top 4; very small chance of being Minor Premier

6. Hawthorn, West Coast and Richmond: 1-4% chances of being finalists; none to very small chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

7. North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

Geelong: 98% chances of being finalists; 85% chances of Top 4; 40% chances of being Minor Premier

1. GWS and Sydney: 85-90% chances of being finalists; 60% chances of Top 4; 15% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Melbourne and Carlton: 80% chances of being finalists; 45-50% chances of Top 4; 7% to 9% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Port Adelaide: 65% chances of being finalists; 25% chances of Top 4; 3% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Collingwood: 55% chances of being finalists; 20% chances of Top 4; 2% chances of being Minor Premier

5. Gold Coast, Essendon, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs, and Brisbane Lions: 40-45% chance of being finalists; 9-12% chance of Top 4; 0.5-1% chance of being Minor Premier

6. St Kilda and Adelaide: 15% chances of being finalists; 2% of Top 4; tiny chance of being Minor Premier

7. West Coast: 4% chances of being finalists; 0.5% chance of Top 4; tiny chance of being Minor Premier

8. Richmond and Hawthorn: 1.5% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

9. North Melbourne: no chance of being finalists, Top 4, or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 4 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Geelong: 95% chances of being finalists; 80% chances of Top 4; 40% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Carlton, GWS, Sydney, and Melbourne: 80% chances of being finalists; 50% chances of Top 4; 10% to 15% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Port Adelaide, Collingwood, Brisbane Lions, and Western Bulldogs: 50-65% chances of being finalists; 15-25% chances of Top 4; 2-4% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Essendon, Gold Coast, and Fremantle: 35-40% chance of being finalists; 10% chance of Top 4; 1% chance of being Minor Premier

5. St Kilda: 20% chances of being finalists; 5% of Top 4; tiny chance of being Minor Premier

6. Adelaide, West Coast, and Hawthorn: 5-10% chances of being finalists; 0.5-1.5% chance of Top 4; tiny chance of being Minor Premier

7. Richmond: 2.5% chance of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; tiny chance of being Minor Premier

8. North Melbourne: tiny chance of being finalists; no chance of Top 4 or Minor Premier

This year’s post Round 4 simulations suggest that the teams can be roughly grouped as below:

(For anyone who is curious about the precise methodology I’ve employed, see this blog post over on the General Probability and Statistics journal)

1. Geelong and GWS: 85-90% chances of being finalists; 60% chances of Top 4; 25% chances of being Minor Premier

2. Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Carlton, Fremantle, Sydney, and Brisbane Lions: 65-80% chances of being finalists; 30-45% chances of Top 4; 6% to 10% chances of being Minor Premier

3. Gold Coast, St Kilda, and Collingwood: 35-45% chances of being finalists; 10-15% chances of Top 4; 1-2% chances of being Minor Premier

4. Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Essendon: 20-25% chance of being finalists; 4-6% chance of Top 4; tiny chance of being Minor Premier

5. Hawthorn: 3% chances of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier

6. Richmond, West Coast and North Melbourne: <1.5% chances of being finalists; tiny chance of Top 4; no chance of being Minor Premier