Melbourne United are deserved minor premiers but – as Adelaide coach Joey Wright will tell you – that doesn’t automatically equate to finals success.

The 36ers had the minor premiership sewn up weeks out from the finals last season only to be bundled out by the Hawks in a three-game semi-finals series.

They’ve walked a different path to this year’s playoffs, but Wright is confident that they’re a much better team than last season.

“I just feel like we’re a better ball club than last year, regardless of where we finish on the table,” Wright said after his side’s 24-point win over the Hawks on Sunday.

“One of things we wanted to do when we rejigged this team this year was provide some depth and have guys who can come in and make a real impact.

“As we’ve seen this year, we’ve got some guys coming off that bench who can get things done.

“We’re real happy with what our bench is doing and happy with what our starters are doing.

“We’re more balanced, we’re communicating better with one another, we’ve just got a better chemistry this year.”