Yeah mate thanks it does make sense but inplay with a created team I bet gold coast got like 2000 in a close game then just smash collingwood and got 1380 haha. So I got no ideaIf you go (for instance) Gold Coast and beat Collingwood you will get a lot more XP.
If you're going Essendon as your post suggests, you'll find that Gold Coast will give you less XP when you beat them as opposed to Collingwood.
Hope that makes sense.