It is, just not exactly in the way you described. It's a weighted fixture by 'brackets' of 6 based on last year's finishing position:I’m pretty sure it is actually done.
- A bottom 6 team can only have max 1 double up against a top 6 side.
- A top 6 team can only have max 1 double up against a bottom 6 side.
- A middle 6 team can only have max 2 double ups against bottom 6 sides, and max 2 against top 6 sides.
- A team can double up against up to 3 teams in their own 'bracket'
This basically allows the AFL to fixture all/almost all of the so called blockbuster match ups twice whilst also attempting to show some level of fairness, although its still far from fair. If a bracket did happen to include the 6 biggest Vic clubs, they would miss out on scheduling some of those big games twice.