3 hops to Sydney from UAE? Some more things to consider!
In 3 hops would require 2 different sets of crew positioned at each station awaiting the arrival of the aircraft enroute. Hotels and forward planing must be counted in. 3 sets of cycles on the engines and the gear, fuselage etc...
An 18 hour sector would have double cockpit crew, allowed upto a 22 hour max duty. (bunks and single sector entry into the duty tables)
A single crew would not be able to do two 6 hours legs with an hour fifteen turn around, in order to try and do two of the sectors. Even intruducing a 3rd man might not help.
I understand there is a limit to the cost of carriage of fuel, but it all needs to be in seen context.