Wasn’t the 1/12 that have won the flag Richmond in the COVID year with shorter season and shorter games. I will be very surprised this year if the flag is not won by one of the teams that goes straight through to the Prelim.I take your point about the PFs being less of a sure thing now, but it’s not really accurate to say you’re disadvantaged by winning. The loser still has to survive a sudden death SF to make it, which they often don’t.
Or, put it this way-
There have been 12 QF winners:
4/12 (33%) have won the flag
2/12 (17%) have lost the GF
6/12 (50%) have lost the PF
12 QF losers:
1/12 (8%) have won the flag
3/12 (25%) have lost the GF
4/12 (33%) have lost the PF
4/12 (33%) have lost the SF
So you’re still more likely to do well if you win, but of course we need more data.