Essendon 2000 has to be the greatest Team of all Time?

[Mr Meow]

Admittedly in 2001 they ended up encountering one of the best sides modern era

That's true as well. They'd likely have beaten up a number of the interstate GF pretenders we saw 2013 onwards.

 

[jdstorm]

I think Geelong 08 beat Essendon 2000 only because of time advancement.

Gold Coast 2024 would likely beat Essendon 2000 if they played.

Player talent keeps getting better as does advancements in fitness etc etc

I think you need to disregard that to some respect and just compare relative greatness.

By that definition there were probably 14 teams in the comp that beat the 2000 Dons and 8 that beat that cats side. Err maybe 13 and 7 given Sydney’s GF record.

 

[Mr Meow]

I think you need to disregard that to some respect and just compare relative greatness.

By that definition there were probably 14 teams in the comp that beat the 2000 Dons and 8 that beat that cats side. Err maybe 13 and 7 given Sydney’s GF record.

Exactly, relative greatness is what matters when you run these comparisons. Win-loss, %, coach and calibre of players/list (yes the last points are subjective but so are most footy topics).

The whole "well current day West Coast would beat basically every side from the 20th century" thing misses the point.

 

[Blind Turn]

Obviously one of the stellar teams of all time but does beg question.why they failed to make GF year prior or win GF following year

Easily answered.

In the 99PF they kicked atrociously for goal which gave the Blues a sniff and gave an inspired Kouta a reason to lift when blood was smelled.

In the 01 GF they took too many injured players into the game and couldn’t keep up with a rampaging, fit Lions team on the rise.

You can’t give teams with inspirational players in their ranks a sniff.