The AFL ladder if every club only played each other once

Season 2023 has been one to remember. With a fantastic finals race still to come, it has already been one of the most action-packed and exciting years in recent history. With high expectations for a handful of clubs, some have floundered whilst others have certainly delivered.

Predicting anything is always difficult, let alone an AFL ladder. Picking a top-eight halfway through the year was challenging as some sides entered slumps whilst others began to move out of them.

Now that the season is complete, we asked the question of what if AFL sides only played each other once? Would it drastically reshape the ladder? Or would it stay rather similar?

We took out each club's six matches against an opponent they had already faced earlier in the season to see how the ladder would shape up.

Check out the results below.

1. Collingwood

Current Record: 18-5
Current Percentage: 127%

New Record: 14-3
New Percentage: 135.2%
Ladder Change: (-)
Record and Percentage Change: -4 wins, -2 losses, +8.2%

Played twice: Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, Port Adelaide

Not much changed for the Pies here. Craig McRae's men have been atop the ladder for the majority of the season and it's no surprise they've remained up there. Consistent for most of the year, the Pies finish with a home qualifying final.

Interestingly, removing clubs they played twice conveniently takes two losses off the Magpies' record. Losses to Carlton and Brisbane which proved useful for both sides, have benefited the Pies the most on our ladder re-working.

2. Port Adelaide

Current Record: 17-6
Current Percentage: 112.7%

New Record: 14-3
New Percentage: 117.8%
Ladder Change: (+1)
Record and Percentage Change: -3 wins, -3 losses, +5.1%

Played twice: Adelaide, Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong, Richmond, Western Bulldogs

Similar to Collingwood, Port Adelaide has been consistent all year. Going on a 13-game win streak throughout the middle of the season, it seemed as though Ken Hinkley's side was going to be untouchable. After a couple of narrow losses and then a form slump of sorts, questions were raised.

In our re-worked ladder, the Power sit at second. Their most notable difference is the removal of Round 19's nail-biter loss to the Pies and their Round 20 defeat in the Showdown to the Crows.

3. Brisbane Lions

Current Record: 17-6
Current Percentage: 123.1%

New Record: 13-4
New Percentage: 132.7%
Ladder Change: (-1)
Record and Percentage Change: -4 wins, -2 losses, +9.6%

Played twice: Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle, Gold Coast, Melbourne, St Kilda

Despite claims all year long that the Lions couldn't win away from home, the side has proved themselves as genuine contenders in 2023. The only question this season is if they can finally make a grand final, let alone win the premiership.

The ladder change actually hurt the Lions quite significantly and removed their chances for a home final. The recent Round 23 win over the Pies was taken out, a crucial one if they were a chance to open their finals campaign at the Gabba.

4. Melbourne

Current Record: 16-7
Current Percentage: 125.2%

New Record: 11-6
New Percentage: 125.6%
Ladder Change: (-)
Record and Percentage Change: -5 wins, -1 loss, +0.4%

Played twice: Brisbane, Carlton, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney

The Demons have added another successful season to their belt and are primed for a premiership push in the 2023 finals series. Despite the playing issues with ex-Magpie Brodie Grundy and the controversy that has come with that, Melbourne are still one of the premier sides in the competition.

With the reworked ladder, the Demons lost four wins, the most significant coming over Brisbane. However, the loss to the Blues in Round 22 has been scratched, keeping them in the top four.

5. St Kilda

Current Record: 13-10
Current Percentage: 107.8%

New Record: 10-7
New Percentage: 108.8%
Ladder Change: (+1)
Record and Percentage Change: -3 wins, -3 losses, +1%

Played twice: Brisbane, Carlton, Gold Coast, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond

It has been a fantastic year for the Saints. Although they've been in the top eight for most of the season, they were seemingly written off for most of the year for a number of reasons. Whether it was personnel, Ross Lyon's coaching style, or any other reason - the Saints have still made the finals.

With the re-worked ladder taken into account, the Saints sit at fifth. The club has had losses to both the Blues and Gold Coast scrubbed from their record, a handy change that grants them a home elimination final.

6. Sydney Swans

Current Record: 12-10-1
Current Percentage: 110%

New Record: 9-8
New Percentage: 111.3%
Ladder Change: (+2)
Record and Percentage Change: -3 wins, -2 losses, -1 draw, +1.3%

Played twice: Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast, GWS, Melbourne, Richmond 

Although early in the year it seemed the Swans were down and out, they managed to secure a top eight position in both reality and our re-worked ladder. John Longmire dealt with countless injuries throughout the season but still managed to make things work.

The Swans had three wins and a draw scratched from their record yet still managed to qualify for the eight, in a higher position than they actually finished. This Sydney team is still a genuine threat in the competition and if there's anyone who can pull off a few party tricks, it's John Longmire.

7. Western Bulldogs

Current Record: 12-11
Current Percentage: 108.7%

New Record: 9-8
New Percentage: 105.7%
Ladder Change: (+2)
Record and Percentage Change: -3 wins, -3 losses, -3%

Played twice: Fremantle, Geelong, GWS, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Richmond

The Bulldogs snuck into the top eight in our ladder on percentage alone, however, it is now the second year in a row that the club has relied on other results to make the eight. The Bulldogs just missed out on the top eight thanks to the Giants' win over the Blues in the final game of the home and away season.

It looked almost a certainty that the Dogs would play finals in 2023, especially with the list of talent that they have. Their off-season will be an interesting one. It's important to note that in the re-worked ladder, losses to the Hawks, Giants and Port Adelaide were scratched from their record.

8. Essendon

Current Record: 11-12
Current Percentage: 89.7%

New Record: 9-8
New Percentage: 103.8%
Ladder Change: (+3)
Record and Percentage Change: -2 wins, -4 losses, +14.1%

Played twice: Collingwood, Geelong, GWS, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, West Coast

In a remarkable turn of events, our ladder has the Bombers finishing in the top eight despite the reality of their shocking end to the season. Throughout most of the year, the Bombers looked primed to play finals, however, an end-of-season drop-off saw them slide drastically.

Losses to the Giants and Collingwood in their second meetings were scratched from the re-worked system - the losses having a combined losing margin of 196 points for Brad Scott's men.

9. Carlton

Current Record: 13-9-1
Current Percentage: 113.3%

New Record: 8-8-1
New Percentage: 107.2%
Ladder Change: (-4)
Record and Percentage Change: -5 wins, -1 loss, -6.1%

Played twice: Collingwood, GWS, Gold Coast, Melbourne, St Kilda, West Coast

In an interesting turn of events, the re-worked ladder sees the Blues in a familiar position to 2022, ninth. The Blues have had a monumental run in the second half of the season but it has unfortunately come at the cost of five wins in our ladder. This sees the Blues effectively lose 20 points and fall out of finals contention.

The Blues lose key victories over the Pies, Melbourne and a huge win over the Eagles which puts them in a very uncomfortable position. However, with the Blues securing finals in 2023, this ladder isn't going to mean much to the Baggers faithful.

10. Richmond

Current Record: 10-12-1
Current Percentage: 93.6%

New Record: 8-8-1
New Percentage: 98.3%
Ladder Change: (+3)
Record and Percentage Change: -2 wins, -4 losses, +4.7%

Played twice: Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs

The Richmond dynasty appears to be over. Retirements of veteran Robbie Tarrant and club legends Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt will definitely shake things up at Tigerland. The club has experienced so much success in the past six years and a decline was bound to happen.

Our ladder was much kinder to the Tigers than reality, scratching out four losses to the Power, Bulldogs, St Kilda and Melbourne. With a young and developing plethora of talent, it might not be long until the Tigers are back at their best.

11. Adelaide Crows

Current Record: 11-12
Current Percentage: 116.8%

New Record: 8-9
New Percentage: 115.3%
Ladder Change: (-1)
Record and Percentage Change: -3 wins, -3 losses, -1.5%

Played twice: Brisbane, Collingwood, Gold Coast, GWS, Port Adelaide, West Coast

Unfortunately for the Crows, the re-worked ladder wasn't any kinder to them than the reality of their situation. Missing out on a finals position due to a handful of small-margin defeats throughout the year and one of the most controversial umpiring decisions in recent times, the side is set for an early September holiday.

In the re-worked ladder, wins over the Suns and Power were cut, along with small losses to the Lions, Pies and Giants. The Crows will be kicking themselves over their inaccuracies in 2023, just one or two more wins against the big clubs and they would rightly be in the top eight.

12. Geelong Cats

Current Record: 10-12-1
Current Percentage: 112.6%

New Record: 8-9
New Percentage: 113.3%
Ladder Change: (-)
Record and Percentage Change: -2 wins, -3 losses, -1 draw, +0.7%

Played twice: Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Sydney, Western Bulldogs

It's been a long time coming but the Cats are not going to be playing finals footy in 2023, not even the re-worked ladder could sneak them in. To say the Cats have been disappointing is an understatement. To win a flag and then not even qualify for finals the following year is never a good look.

Although it seemed inevitable that Geelong would slip up, whether it be the recurring belief that the side is 'too old, too slow', seeing it happen is still a shock to the system. The Cats had 10 points snagged off them in the new ladder, two wins and a draw.

13. GWS Giants

Current Record: 13-10
Current Percentage: 107.1%

New Record: 7-10
New Percentage: 96.9%
Ladder Change: (-6)
Record and Percentage Change: -6 wins, -0 losses, -10.2%

Played twice: Adelaide, Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Sydney, Western Bulldogs

Interestingly, the Giants slipped to 13th in the re-worked ladder despite finishing in the top eight thanks to a Round 24 victory over the Blues. Without Sam Taylor, the Giants managed to defeat the red-hot Blues to secure a remarkable finals berth.

In the re-worked ladder, major wins over the Bulldogs, Carlton, Hawthorn, Adelaide and the Bombers were taken out. Those five wins took them right into the top eight, however, it's interesting to see how the season could have played out if they only played each side once.

14. Gold Coast Suns

Current Record: 9-14
Current Percentage: 91.7%

New Record: 7-10
New Percentage: 90.3%
Ladder Change: (+1)
Record and Percentage Change: -2 wins, -4 losses, -1.4%

Played twice: Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Sydney

After all of the off-season talk surrounding the Suns, it has been another disappointing year for the club. Missing out on finals once again, Gold Coast can just never seem to get all the pieces together to genuinely contend for a flag.

Unfortunately for the Suns, everything just about went wrong. From the poor on-field performance to the sacking of a coach, the club is in all sorts. The new record sends them to 14th on the ladder, the only silver lining for season 2024 being the new appointment of ex-Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.

15. Fremantle

Current Record: 10-13
Current Percentage: 96.7%

New Record: 5-12
New Percentage: 89.9%
Ladder Change: (-1)
Record and Percentage Change: -5 wins, -1 loss, -6.8%

Played twice: Brisbane, Geelong, Hawthorn, Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs

The Dockers have been one of the more disappointing sides of 2023, severely underperforming in comparison to their 2022 campaign. After making a semi-final last year, the Dockers dropped off massively and have ended up 15th on our ladder.

With two of their wins being scratched out, one of which being against Geelong in Round 20 at GMHBA Stadium, the Dockers sit in a similar position to what they've been in for most of 2023. Despite going backwards, the side still has plenty of promise regarding their young talent, especially their dynamic duo of Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw.

16. Hawthorn

Current Record: 7-16
Current Percentage: 80.2%

New Record: 5-12
New Percentage: 77.6%
Ladder Change: (-)
Record and Percentage Change: -2 wins, -4 losses, -2.6%

Played twice: Fremantle, GWS, Melbourne, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs

The Hawks had a very interesting year. Despite finishing in the bottom three, they managed to pull off some of the most impressive wins in recent history. Wins over the Lions, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs were most notable.

In their updated record, the win over the Bulldogs no longer applies, as well as a win over St Kilda. The young Hawks side can take a lot out of this season and make a considerable jump in 2024.

17. North Melbourne

Current Record: 3-20
Current Percentage: 71.5%

New Record: 2-15
New Percentage: 67.1%
Ladder Change: (-)
Record and Percentage Change: -1 win, -5 losses, -4.4%

The Kangaroos struggled once again in 2023, and the reworked ladder proved no different. Doing the seemingly impossible and going backwards, the boys from Arden Street had a rough campaign.

Their record didn't change much at all as every time they played a team twice, they lost. The only notable change is due to the loss to the West Coast being removed, they rose up to 17th and lost the rights to the number one draft pick.

Played twice: Essendon, Gold Coast, Hawthorn, Melbourne, St Kilda, West Coast

18. West Coast Eagles

Current Record: 3-20
Current Percentage: 53%

New Record: 2-15
New Percentage: 50.7%
Ladder Change: (-)
Record and Percentage Change: -1 win, -5 losses, -2.3%

Played twice: Adelaide, Carlton, Essendon, Fremantle, North Melbourne, Richmond

No matter who the Eagles played twice, it was always going to be a tough road for them. A horror season in 2023, regardless of personnel missing. Losing five games in 2023 by over 100 points... it isn't looking great for Adam Simpson.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, in the re-worked ladder, they ended up losing a win to their name, resulting in them finishing in 18th. Their percentage is the lowest by far, with 17th-placed North Melbourne sitting with an extra 17.1%.

The AFL ladder if every team only played each other once