REIGNING premier Brisbane enjoyed the easiest fixture of the 2024 NAB AFLW season, while Fremantle overcame a more difficult draw than expected to finish in the top eight.

At the start of the season, AFL.com.au calculated the expected degree of difficulty of each club's fixture by tallying the 2023 finishing positions of the teams each club was due to play, with a lower number meaning a harder draw.

The Lions were expected to have the fourth-hardest draw, with a degree of difficulty of 94. But they have ended up with the easiest, with a degree of difficulty of 124, having played just two fellow finalists from their 11 games.

Six of Brisbane's opponents played finals last year, but Melbourne, Gold Coast, Geelong and Sydney all missed the eight this year.

Hawthorn, which finished 14th in 2023, also benefitted from an easier draw than expected as it finished second.

The Dockers, on the other hand, were expected to have the easiest draw of all but ended up with the ninth easiest as they finished in fifth place with eight wins from their 11 games.

The Demons and Cats, who both missed finals in 2024 having finished in the eight last year, and Adelaide had the hardest fixtures of all teams this season.

* The expected degree of difficulty was calculated by adding the 2023 finishing positions of the teams a club plays. A low total score means a club has a tougher fixture; a high total score means an easier fixture.

* The actual degree of difficulty was calculated by adding the 2024 ladder positions of the teams a club played. A low total score means a club has a tougher fixture; a high total score means an easier fixture.

Number of finalists faced in 2024

7 – Carlton, Melbourne
6 – Adelaide, Geelong, St Kilda, West Coast
5 – Collingwood, Gold Coast, GWS, North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs
4 – Essendon, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Richmond, Sydney
3 – Hawthorn
2 – Brisbane