It used to happen a lot more because we had the 3 choices for enthusiasm during playoffs.
I think it was better the old way because it is a lot harder to use a strategy now. Now it is just basically CT the entire time.
Happened to me in season 4 when Aussieroos knocked me out in the first round
I think overall now the system favours the team with the best overal record from both conferences.
It puts the pressure on the 2nd seed to perhaps Playoff normal a game to get a slight enthusiasm advantage OR invest in a National appeal and hope seed 1 doesnt have a Crowd involvement guy.
The 3 options allowed for some whacky results with Kamikaze teams sometimes preventing the favourites from continuing their regular season success with a deserved trophy.
This way the ball is firmly in the court of the favourite (rightly so IMO) and it will take a risk and luck from the underdog to surpass the HCA and take the overall title.