2026 : Simulating the Final Ladder After Round 7
/SUMMARY
This year’s post Round 7 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)
Sydney and Hawthorn: virtually certain of being finalists (including the wildcard finals); roughly 90% chances of Top 4; roughly 30-45% chances of being Minor Premier
Fremantle and Brisbane Lions: roughly 95% chance of being finalists (including the wildcard finals); 55-60% chances of Top 4; roughly 5-10% chances of being Minor Premier
Geelong: about 85% chances of being finalists; roughly 30% chances of Top 4; roughly 2% chances of being Minor Premier
Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, and Gold Coast: about 75% chances of being finalists; about 15% chances of Top 4; about 1% chances of being Minor Premier
Melbourne, Adelaide, GWS, and St Kilda: about 50-60% chances of being finalists; about 5% chances of Top 4; <0.5% chances of being Minor Premier
Port Adelaide: about 40% chances of being finalists; about 3% chances of Top 4; <0.5% chances of being Minor Premier
North Melbourne: about 25% chances of being finalists; about 1% chances of Top 4; <0.5% chances of being Minor Premier
Carlton: about 5% chances of being finalists; about <0.5% chances of Top 4; <0.5% chances of being Minor Premier
West Coast and Essendon: about 1% chances of being finalists; <0.5% chances of Top 4; <0.5% chances of being Minor Premier
Richmond: <0.5% chances of being finalists; <0.5% chances of Top 4; <0.5% chances of being Minor Premier
