I like that you're putting titles on your posts now. A little self deprecating, but fairly accurate.
I'll try to keep this as simple as possible. The AFL creates the draw by making sure lower ranked teams from the previous year are more likely to play each other, and higher ranked teams are more likely to play each other. This means teams in the bottom half of the ladder have an easier draw than teams in the top half (on average of course - clearly teams move about and sometimes the AFLs target of easier draws for lower ranked teams doesn't work out). An easier draw makes it easier to win games, which makes it easier to make finals. Essendon were in the bottom half of the ladder last year. They performed poorly against other top 8 sides, but still manage to make finals.
This is apparently what the AFL wants. According to the AFL on their "fixture explained' page on the AFL web site, "On-field equity is a key component of the AFL’s philosophy. As such, providing all clubs with the opportunity to be successful and contest the Toyota AFL Finals Series is a crucial element of the AFL fixture.". So letting teams that are not really good enough to play finals otherwise, actually play finals is apparently a key goal of the fixture, and Essendon have benefited from this policy in 2 of the last 3 seasons. Mission accomplished AFL.
Correct
Enjoy your 2020 fixture as such