I also agree with Billy and Nash in terms of "deserve" however I frame my position differently.
Whilst I enjoy the finals, and the outside chance of ultimate glory that it spreads to the lesser teams (and the longer spectacle), under the new system it's hard to argue how any team outside of the top for "deserves" to play finals. Traditionally, they have each just made up the numbers.
I'd say that the Bombers are a more worthy team to hold a finals spot than we are.
Should we win the next four and make the finals, we'd have 1 win, 1 draw and 8 losses against top 8 sides. The Bombers would have 4 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses.
Our 8 losses have come at an average of 71.25 points.
Essendon's 6 have come at an average of 41.33.
In summary, I'm torn. Probably on terminiology more than anything.