Best sides that didnt win a flag

[BWST]

Definately Adelaide 2005-2006.

Lot of what ifs though.

Chokers.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

west coast 2007. For many many reasons.

 

[Warwick]

Collingwood in 2002

Not even close.

The 2003 Collingwood side was much better, but still not in the same league as say, Essendon in 1999.

Brisbane were a better side in 2004 than they were in 2003 (particularly towards the end of the year), whereas Port were probably a better side in 03 than they were in 04.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Essendon 1990
Essendon 1999
Essendon 2001

Hawthorn 2001? Pity Goldspink interfered

 

[Lightning_Rod]

port '02 '03

 

[stmookeyj]

Kidding yourself

Dogs were the 3rd best side that year - granted,but were well off Hawthorn & Essendon's pace that year
Essendon finished 3 games clear on top.
Hawthorn although finished 3rd to Footscray by half a game because of a draw - had a massive 10% percentage gap over Footscray as well,and not to mention Hawthorn beat Footscray in 3 of the 4 times they meet that year.
While Essendon & Footscray meet twice for a 1-1 record.
You couldnt possibly say that Footscray of 1985 fits what the thread asks for "the best side that didnt win a flag"

Well it was our best side that didn't win a flag.

 

[UpForGrabs]

A lot of people forget that in 1991, the Eagles dominated early, but by season's end they were really out of steam and lost to the wooden spooners before blowing their first home final. Hawthorn stormed home in the 2nd half of that season, winning something like 12 or 13 games out of 14 to take out the flag.

I wouldn't say we stumbled that much. We lost three games that H&A season. Two by 3 points, and one by 10 (the rd. 22 match).

In the first final, we ended up losing by only 23 points.

I think it was a case of the Eagles not knowing what to do once in the finals - how to handle the pressure of being the team everyone wanted to beat. Up until that point, we'd never had anything approaching that level of scrutiny.

Obviously, in 1992 we were prepared, but compared to 1991, our 92 H&A season was almost disastrous.

 

[pharro]

A lot of people forget that in 1991, the Eagles dominated early, but by season's end they were really out of steam and lost to the wooden spooners before blowing their first home final. Hawthorn stormed home in the 2nd half of that season, winning something like 12 or 13 games out of 14 to take out the flag.

Essendon in 1999 are the one. They were so dominant that it seemed like they'd inevitably win, until they stumbled against Carlton and made the flag easy pickings for North.

Carlton were barnstorming through late 1994 also, as mentioned, until Essendon (who were having a crap season) upset them and they lost top spot and then got jumped by Melbourne in the finals.

The only thing about that Preliminary Final of 99 is that it prevented Essendon from getting baked the following week. After the second half of the 98 GF, there wasn't a snow flake's chance in hell of North losing 99.

As much as it pains me to say it, you'd have to give some consideration to a team that played in 5 grand finals in 5 years and didn't managed to win a single one. I give you Collingwood 1977 - 1981.

 

[Shane_Mag]

definately port 2001-2003. we got top spot a few times but didnt deliver come finals time.

 

[ManWithNoName]

The only thing about that Preliminary Final of 99 is that it prevented Essendon from getting baked the following week. After the second half of the 98 GF, there wasn't a snow flake's chance in hell of North losing 99.

As much as it pains me to say it, you'd have to give some consideration to a team that played in 5 grand finals in 5 years and didn't managed to win a single one. I give you Collingwood 1977 - 1981.

You think you would've beaten us? Doubtful. I think we would've won, but regardless it would've been one hell of a match. The game we played against each other in 1999 is still one of my favourite ever games.

 

[Kochie 16]

Port 2002 - 2003, Brisbane 2004

 

[jacko57]

You think you would've beaten us? Doubtful. I think we would've won, but regardless it would've been one hell of a match. The game we played against each other in 1999 is still one of my favourite ever games.

It's one we'll never know the 'right' answer to.........my arguments in favor of North are :
(a) their guts were burning after they squandered a flag in 98
(b) North beat a quality opponent in the prelim in Brisbane, who threw everything they had at them
(c) Essendon's performance in their prelim showed they were well and truly capable of losing the GF, had they made it there

 

[hellfire]

Definately Essendon of 1999.

 

[bradrowe#32]

Not even close.

The 2003 Collingwood side was much better, but still not in the same league as say, Essendon in 1999.

I disagree.

The ladder is misleading: In 2002, we finished 4th after the H&A season with 13 wins and 109%. In 2003, we finished 2nd with 15 wins and 121%.

However, look at the 2003 grand final side. The differences from 2002 were:

In: Jason Cloke, Shane Woewodin, Richard Cole, Ben Kinnear, Tristen Walker, Matthew Lokan, Rhyce Shaw, Brodie Holland.

Out: Anthony Rocca, Tarkyn Lockyer, Nick Davis, Jarrod Molloy, Carl Steinfort, Rupert Betheras, Glenn Freeborn, Steve McKee.

I just reckon 2002 was a better 'team.'

 

[bunsen burner]

West Coast of 1991.

End of thread.

 

[ManWithNoName]

It's one we'll never know the 'right' answer to.........my arguments in favor of North are :
(a) their guts were burning after they squandered a flag in 98
(b) North beat a quality opponent in the prelim in Brisbane, who threw everything they had at them
(c) Essendon's performance in their prelim showed they were well and truly capable of losing the GF, had they made it there

Can't disagree with A and B. But my rebuttal to C is simply this years Geelong v Collingwood prelim. Geelong barely got over the line in the prelim then absolutely smashed Port in the GF. Fact is in the Prelim we were arrogant and played like rubbish. In the GF we wouldn't have made that mistake.

 

[pharro]

You think you would've beaten us? Doubtful. I think we would've won, but regardless it would've been one hell of a match. The game we played against each other in 1999 is still one of my favourite ever games.

The shoot out? Yes a great game and I base my opinion that we had you covered on the fact that Mick Martyn didn't play vs Lloyd and was due back in time to keep him goal-less in the GF.

Sadly we'll never know for sure. But as they say, the best side in September wins premierships. I just don't see Essendon 99 as a standout dominant team. Unlike Geelong 07, Essendon 00 or Carlton 95, that Bombers team didn't have a massive break on opponents in terms of games won over the course of the season. Quite simply, they were not a lock for the flag even if they think they were.

 

[The Chad]

geelong 1990 didn't get their act together until late and despite storming home with something like 5 or 6 straight just missed out on the final 5 despite being the red-hot team.

 

[ManWithNoName]

The shoot out? Yes a great game and I base my opinion that we had you covered on the fact that Mick Martyn didn't play vs Lloyd and was due back in time to keep him goal-less in the GF.

Sadly we'll never know for sure. But as they say, the best side in September wins premierships. I just don't see Essendon 99 as a standout dominant team. Unlike Geelong 07, Essendon 00 or Carlton 95, that Bombers team didn't have a massive break on opponents in terms of games won over the course of the season. Quite simply, they were not a lock for the flag even if they think they were.

The shoot out is one of the best exhibitions of AFL Footy you'll ever see. High scoring, attacking footy, two ridiculously freakish goals (Careys left foot banana and Lloyds kick out of mid air). It was an unbelieveable game.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Geelong, They NEVER won a flag with a pretty decent list.
Would you consider teams which missed a flag all-together? at least essendon/Kangaroos/Port/Hawthorn Won a flag 1-2 years later, However geelong team never tasted sucess. Like St Kilda

 

[Burzum]

This thread gives me a sharp pain in my stomach.

 

[Roar]

Richmond 1982 - d'amico's bush had to go and ruin everything...

 

[doppleganger]

Melbourne 1958......would have won 6 flags in a row if the pies didn't suck em in!

Pies 1970.....dominant that year.
Pies 1977.....Carman u fecker

 

[Warwick]

I disagree.

The ladder is misleading: In 2002, we finished 4th after the H&A season with 13 wins and 109%. In 2003, we finished 2nd with 15 wins and 121%.

However, look at the 2003 grand final side. The differences from 2002 were:

In: Jason Cloke, Shane Woewodin, Richard Cole, Ben Kinnear, Tristen Walker, Matthew Lokan, Rhyce Shaw, Brodie Holland.

Out: Anthony Rocca, Tarkyn Lockyer, Nick Davis, Jarrod Molloy, Carl Steinfort, Rupert Betheras, Glenn Freeborn, Steve McKee.

I just reckon 2002 was a better 'team.'

That's just the GF team. And on paper.

There is no way the 2002 Collingwood team rates as one of the best sides not to win the flag. They may have performed well on GF day, but their team was not as strong as Port Adelaide or Adelaide that season, let alone the best side never to win a premiership.

 

[Bomber32]

I do not know why Essendon of 99 have been mentioned so often in this thread, especially since Hird and Lucas were missing for most of that season.