Champion Data reckons we have the 6th easiest draw next year.
North Melbourne has toughest AFL draw of 2013 Rebecca Williams
From: Herald Sun
December 16, 2012Champion Data has ranked the difficulty of every club's 2013 draw, with the Kangaroos sitting on top ahead of Grand Finalists Hawthorn, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
Every club's ranking has been reached by totalling the 2012 premiership points from each of their 22 opponents - with five opponents doubling up.
After receiving the fourth easiest draw last year, the Kangaroos' difficulty climbed after being drawn to "double-up" against three top-four sides - Hawthorn, Adelaide and Collingwood. The Roos will also face Geelong twice.
Their combined opposition reached a total of 1036 points, marginally ahead of the Hawks (1028), the Magpies (1004) and Bulldogs (998). Compounding this, the Kangaroos, along with West Coast, have eight six-day breaks - more than any other side.
At the other end of the scale, Melbourne has been ranked with the easiest draw. The Demons had a combined opposition total of 912 points, the lowest tally of any club.
Gold Coast (17th) and Brisbane (16th) ranked just above the Demons with the ease of their draw.
Adelaide has also been identified as a big winner with its 2013 draw - for the second year running.
The Crows, who are ranked with the 15th toughest draw, don't play any of their fellow top-four teams twice, but have two meetings against Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs.
EASY STREET
Adelaide has been blessed for the second season. The Crows don't face any other top-four team twice, but they get to play Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs twice.
Premier Sydney plays Hawthorn and Collingwood twice, but doubles up on Greater Western Sydney and the mid-range Saints.
To avoid blowouts, seven of the eight finalists don't play GWS or Gold Coast twice during the year.
Carlton and Richmond each play one just finalist twice - the only sides drawn that way without finishing in the bottom four last season.
SIX-DAY BREAKS
Geelong faces a tough opening month, playing Hawthorn, Carlton and Sydney away in the first four rounds, with three consecutive six-day breaks in this time. The Cats don't play at Simonds Stadium until Round 10 because of the ground redevelopment.
North Melbourne and West Coast have eight six-day breaks - more than any other side.
HOW YOUR SIDE RANKS(draw ranked from toughest to easiest based on total 2012 premiership points by 2013 opponents)
1 North Melbourne (1036)
2 Hawthorn (1028)
3 Collingwood (1004)
5 West Coast (988)
6 Geelong (982)
7 Sydney (976)
8 Fremantle (970)
9 Carlton (968)
10 Essendon (966)
= 11 Port Adelaide (962)
= 11 Richmond (962)
= 11 St Kilda (962)
14 GWS (942)
15 Adelaide (938)
16 Brisbane Lions (916)
17 Gold Coast (914)
18 (Melbourne)
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/north-melbourne-has-toughest-afl-draw-of-2013/story-e6frf9jf-1226537486062
