1 v 3 and 2 v 4 is a bit odd.
Finishing first should be rewarded with both a minor premiership trophy, and easiest on paper playoff draw
People get too hung up on how European (esp UK) football comps operate. This is Australasia and all the sporting codes have end of season finals.
Broadcasters and sponsors expect a finals series and pay for them. The A League might as well just be a semi pro comp without the extra revenue the playoffs bring in
Finishing first should be rewarded with both a minor premiership trophy, and easiest on paper playoff draw
People get too hung up on how European (esp UK) football comps operate. This is Australasia and all the sporting codes have end of season finals.
Broadcasters and sponsors expect a finals series and pay for them. The A League might as well just be a semi pro comp without the extra revenue the playoffs bring in
1 v 4 and 2 v 3, with 1 and 2 having home advantage is the usual format.
But you're right, the reason we (Aleague) have a top six is purely for the broadcast market and removing "dead rubber" games at the end of the season.