How it works
- Set it upPaste the names and draw. The tool writes the margin bands for you, sized so there's one each. Add the two teams and it splits them per team.
- DrawPaste everyone's names and hit draw.
- Share the linkYou get two links: a share link that shows everyone the drawn board, and an organiser link that lets you re-draw or delete.
The longer version
Set it up
Type the two teams and the tool writes the classic margin outcomes for you, split evenly between them and sized to the number of names you've pasted — the band grids from the rules page, narrow at the bottom where the close results are. Leave the teams blank, which is the normal state of things until the preliminary finals are done, and you get a board by winning margin instead: it is correct whoever makes it, and you can put the team names on afterwards without reshuffling a single name. Edit the outcomes however you like: fewer bands, first-goal-scorer names, anything. One outcome per line.
Draw
Paste everyone's names and hit draw. The shuffle uses your browser's cryptographic randomness — nobody can rig it, including us. Every outcome gets a name: if there are fewer people than outcomes, some lucky people draw twice; if there are more people than outcomes, the surplus miss out and get listed, so add more outcomes to fit everyone in.
Share the link
You get two links: a share link that shows everyone the drawn board, and an organiser link that lets you re-draw or delete. Bookmark the organiser one — there are no accounts, so the link is the only key. The shared page prints cleanly for the tearoom fridge.
Not sure how many margin bands to use, or what happens if the scores are level at full time? The Grand Final sweep rules page has band grids for 8 to 24 people, why AFL and NRL margins should never be the same, how the pot usually gets split, and the etiquette of collecting entries without becoming that person.
FAQ
Does the sweep handle money?
No — deliberately. Collect the gold coins however your office always has. This just does the drawing and the remembering.
What margins should we use?
You don't have to pick: the tool sizes them to the names you've pasted, one band per person, using the grids from the rules page — narrow at the bottom, because close games are far more common than blowouts. Name both teams and it splits the bands between them; leave the teams blank and you get winning-margin bands plus a drawn match. Edit any of it.
Can I re-draw?
The organiser link can re-draw the whole board any time before the game. Everyone's assignments reshuffle, and the shared link updates.
Melbourne Cup?
Right this way — the Melbourne Cup sweep runs the classic 24-horse draw. The shelf has everything else.