In the McIntyre system, teams 1/2/5/6 have more of an advantage than they do in the current system. In the current system, teams 3/4/7/8 have more of an advantage than they do in the McIntyre syste.
Regarding teams 1 and 2, they get easier opponents throughout the McIntyre system. The highest ranked side that team 1 will take on in the preliminary finals is team 4, whereas it is possible for them to take on team 2 in the current system.
Regarding teams 3 and 4, they get a guaranteed 2nd chance in the first week of the current system which they don't have in the McIntyre system. Also, they automatically proceed to the preliminary final if they win first up, whereas in the McIntyre system team 3 only gets to achieve this if either team 1 or 2 loses and for team 4, two of teams 1/2/3 lose.
Regarding teams 5 and 6, it is sudden death for them throughout the entire finals. Whereas in the McIntyre system, they can potentially stay in week 2 if they lose depending on the other results. Also, in a rare situation, they can progress through to week 3, also depending on the results of the other games
Regarding teams 7 and 8, although it is sudden death for them throughout the entire finals, they get easier opponents first-up compared to the McIntyre system.
So, if you are talking about a system that REWARDS the teams based on their performance over the 26 rounds in the regular season, the current system is fairer:
Teams 1/2 have two guaranteed home games in weeks 1 and 2 or 3 + 2nd chance in week 1.
Teams 3/4 have a guaranteed home game in either week 2 or 3 + 2nd chance in week 1
Teams 5/6 have one guaranteed home game in week 1
Teams 7/8 have no home games
Whereas, the reward in the McIntyre system is an easier opponent in week 1 for the top 4 sides and the real reward thus goes to the 4 teams who win in week 1 because they carry the home ground advantage into weeks 2 and 3 .
I know people bitch and say that it was unfair that Melbourne in 2008 and Dragons in 2009 lost home ground advantage for losing in week 1. Well, if you can't beat team 8, then you deserve to lose whatever advantage has been given to you, simple as that
From a tv point of view, the current system also allows for more flexibility with the scheduling of matches. Whereas in the McIntyre system, the week 1 games have to be played in the order 4v5, 3v6, 2v7 and 1v8.