Greatest Dynasty of the 21st century - Lions vs Cats vs Hawks vs Tigers

[Mr Meow]

Adelaide were the best H&A side in 2017 and went in hot favourites on GF day.

From memory they completely dismantled Geelong in the prelim and prior to the game it was thought Richmond would be overwhelmed by the occasion and the Crows should win by 6 goals plus.

Giants in 2019 put out a poor performance on GF day but the week before they had a gutsy preliminary final win on interstate turf.
I was worried leading into the GF but in hindsight the Giants prelim win must’ve zapped them of their energy and were cooked after a quarter and a half GF day.

If Collingwood made the 2019 Grand Final it’s safe to say the Tigers fans would’ve been a nervous wreck leading into it considering what happened the year before.

Adelaide were warm favourites because Richmond hadn't achieved anything in 35 years and top 2 sides always get that tag. There was a Richmond stigma and people didn't realise the hot streak they were on.

Adelaide had two really soft opponents in finals. They were a bog standard 16-6 interstate team who were kings at home and bunnies away when it counted. Their record in the years before and after showed that. The same for Geelong those years.

Collingwood by virtue of being a competent Melbourne team were the toughest challenger. Hawthorn despite their decline, just after that. Then Geelong, then Adelaide, then GWS.

Brisbane and Port were their own story with the embarrassing finals exits they had over the years (non Richmond).

 

[Mr Meow]

Adelaide were the best H&A side in 2017 and went in hot favourites on GF day.

From memory they completely dismantled Geelong in the prelim and prior to the game it was thought Richmond would be overwhelmed by the occasion and the Crows should win by 6 goals plus.

Giants in 2019 put out a poor performance on GF day but the week before they had a gutsy preliminary final win on interstate turf.
I was worried leading into the GF but in hindsight the Giants prelim win must’ve zapped them of their energy and were cooked after a quarter and a half GF day.

If Collingwood made the 2019 Grand Final it’s safe to say the Tigers fans would’ve been a nervous wreck leading into it considering what happened the year before.

As far as GWS, it's just proven too much for sides doing it the long way to last on GF day. Bulldogs in 2016 a rare exception but Sydney crumpled too.

Collingwood/Richmond should've been the 2019 grand final and I think Richmond would've had their revenge for what it's worth.

 

[Osho]

I'll definitely concede that they rose to finals intensity and bullied their opponents (relative to H&A) in a way similar to Brisbane '01-'03. They may well have beaten better teams if they existed (a position I have no doubt on with Hawthorn).

But Adelaide made one prelim within a 5 year span either side of 2017. GWS made a prelim on two occasions within that 10 year span.

Geelong were a bit better as they at least challenged for a while, but I just know how weak that side was, and ill fitting for finals. 2022 the team had overhauled on 7-8 pretty crucial spots and a handful of players finally took the next step. It doesn't make the 2017-2020 version a strong side.

Not to mention your Cats bias

All good and understandable though.

Is 2022 Cats part of the dynasty?

 

[Mr Meow]

Not to mention your Cats bias

All good and understandable though.

Is 2022 Cats part of the dynasty?

But I rate Brisbane higher. And Hawthorn higher. Both teams no issue putting those sides over, although I think it would be close

Why would Geelong bias selectively make me rate two neutral teams above another neutral team?

2022 was too detached. That side was already very different from 2016, let alone 2011.

 

[PhatBoy]

RFC by virtue of doing it all with limited resources. It means their wins were harder, more difficult. Their achievements were therefore greater.

They had to rely much more than the other teams on hard work, strategy, imagination, risk taking, compensating for less talent, rehabilitating key players, the game plan, the board, the system, the mindset, overcoming self hate, and the mockers and doubters.

It's logical and conclusive. They achieved the most, coming from further back, and with less advantages than all the others.

My pleasure.

That’s like saying a defensive golfer winning a major through great course management and scrapping his way to par after par with the occasional birdie has won his trophy more meritoriously than the guy who goes out and shoots 4 67s

 

[Osho]

That’s like saying a defensive golfer winning a major through great course management and scrapping his way to par after par with the occasional birdie has won his trophy more meritoriously than the guy who goes out and shoots 4 67s

Yep RFC won 3 British Opens in 4 years playing a HIGH LEVEL game, that changed the game, destroying 2 teams and breaking the heart of another (hardly scrapping, I'd say BLAZING), with limited resources. How they played so well and dominated is a miracle the more you think about it.

 

[PhatBoy]

Yep RFC won 3 British Opens in 4 years playing a HIGH LEVEL game, that changed the game, destroying 2 teams and breaking the heart of another (hardly scrapping, I'd say BLAZING), with limited resources. How they played so well and dominated is a miracle the more you think about it.

Is it?
I always just thought it was a good team playing good footy. Same as any team who wins.

 

[Osho]

Is it?
I always just thought it was a good team playing good footy. Same as any team who wins.

You'd be wrong.
This under resourced team has changed footy, the way it's played, more than any this century.

 

[PhatBoy]

You'd be wrong.
This under resourced team has changed footy, the way it's played, more than any this century.

Right….

 

[Blue1980]

Cats best team of this century no question, when you put flags plus finals appearances, win/loss record etc into it.

However which club was at their best in their dynasty? Well ironically the best any of them were for a single season was Geelong in 2008 when they lost the GF.

Brisbane never actually finished top in their run but paced themselves well to be right for the pointy end of the season. Hawks probably a little more dominant in home and away but still was about peaking at the right time.

Cats not winning consecutive flags the only knock, brisbane won their flags at the end of their run (they began making finals in 95 and were done by end of 04), Hawks won one early in their run (08, 2nd year in finals), then dominated later part of their run as well.

Cats the only ones to rebuild on the run, other 2 have spent time at the bottom.

So cats for me.

 

[Caesarr]

RFC by virtue of doing it all with limited resources. It means their wins were harder, more difficult. Their achievements were therefore greater.

They had to rely much more than the other teams on hard work, strategy, imagination, risk taking, compensating for less talent, rehabilitating key players, the game plan, the board, the system, the mindset, overcoming self hate, and the mockers and doubters.

It's logical and conclusive. They achieved the most, coming from further back, and with less advantages than all the others.

My pleasure.

I am with you on that one. I believe Richmond achieved the most with less. Unlike Brisbane and Geelong, Richmond weren’t a side touted as a future premiership team prior to their success. Nor were they a team absolutely stacked top to bottom like the Lions, Cats or Hawks. Yet they sit here with the same amount flags (for the most part).

I also commend the way the tigers built their list. Transformed the careers of Grigg, Houli, Townsend and Nankervis who they picked up for nothing. Brought a heap of selfless rookie listed players/late draftees that were effective (Grimes, Baker, Butler, Lambert, Graham, Pickett, Short, Cartagna, Broad, Soldo and other squad players like Stack, Chol). They also weren’t as reliant on recruiting established players like the Hawks were, with their only big name acquisitions being Prestia, Lynch and Caddy.

 

[Havoc]

I am with you on that one. I believe Richmond achieved the most with less. Unlike Brisbane and Geelong, Richmond weren’t a side touted as a future premiership team prior to their success. Nor were they a team absolutely stacked top to bottom like the Lions, Cats or Hawks. Yet they sit here with the same amount flags (for the most part).

I also commend the way the tigers built their list. Transformed the careers of Grigg, Houli, Townsend and Nankervis who they picked up for nothing. Brought a heap of selfless rookie listed players/late draftees that were effective (Grimes, Baker, Butler, Lambert, Graham, Pickett, Short, Cartagna, Broad, Soldo and other squad players like Stack, Chol). They also weren’t as reliant on recruiting established players like the Hawks were, with their only big name acquisitions being Prestia, Lynch and Caddy.

Remember in 2016, when everyone said we had cooked our rebuild.. needed to spill the board and sack Hardwick??

 

[The King!]

Remember in 2016, when everyone said we had cooked our rebuild.. needed to spill the board and sack Hardwick??

Most of them were club members

 

[Cleansweep17]

Well if it’s a GF it’s hard to go past us for the following reasons:

1. We play the MCG the best of the 4 teams (MCG win streak record)

2. Highest % win in a GF ever

3. Our best player (who is arguably the greatest finals player ever) is guaranteed to be BOG unlike the rest who more often than not go missing.

4. Best wet weather side (undefeated at our peak)

5. Have the best gameplan that counters all others before us

6. We never lost a final where we were fully fit

7. Have the best “19th man” so to speak with our crowd.

So yeah in an actual game I’m confident we’d beat them all. But not in SuperCoach.

 

[STPer18]

Well if it’s a GF it’s hard to go past us for the following reasons:

1. We play the MCG the best of the 4 teams (MCG win streak record)

Geelong dynasty premierships at the MCG = 3 (4 with '22)
Hawthorn dynasty premierships at the MCG = 3 (4 with '08)
Brisbane dynasty premierships at the MCG = 3
Richmond dynasty premierships at the MCG = 2

 

[Cleansweep17]

Geelong dynasty premierships at the MCG = 3 (4 with '22)
Hawthorn dynasty premierships at the MCG = 3 (4 with '08)
Brisbane dynasty premierships at the MCG = 3
Richmond dynasty premierships at the MCG = 2

Thanks for pointing out we are also the best GABBA team. Almost forgot

MCG win streak record and GABBA GF is an insane combo and again proves we beat all these teams anywhere (except for you guys at GMHBA which no important games would be played at)

 

[FreddyTwoShoes]

Thanks for pointing out we are also the best GABBA team. Almost forgot

MCG win streak record and GABBA GF is an insane combo and again proves we beat all these teams anywhere (except for you guys at GMHBA which no important games would be played at)

Is that you Falcon?

 

[Mr Meow]

Thanks for pointing out we are also the best GABBA team. Almost forgot

MCG win streak record and GABBA GF is an insane combo and again proves we beat all these teams anywhere (except for you guys at GMHBA which no important games would be played at)

It is weird to think Richmond only won two flags at the G this century though, both against interstate teams that fell away badly in the 3 years following and have zero premierships this century.

Geelong did it twice as many times at the G, two of them against interstate sides (who have at least won premierships in the past 20 years) and two of them against Melbourne based sides.

 

[navi_]

Brisbane and it's not particularly close.

For interstate sides each flag is worth 2.

 

[Cleansweep17]

It is weird to think Richmond only won two flags at the G this century though, both against interstate teams that fell away badly in the 3 years following and have zero premierships this century.

Geelong did it twice as many times at the G, two of them against interstate sides (who have at least won premierships in the past 20 years) and two of them against Melbourne based sides.

You beat St Kilda and Pies the biggest chokers in the history of the game

St Kilda didn’t even have G Train!!

 

[FreddyTwoShoes]

You beat St Kilda and Pies the biggest chokers in the history of the game

St Kilda didn’t even have G Train!!

It IS you. Welcome back

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Very hard to separate.

Lions made 4 straight, ripped off playing the prelim in melbourne. But Rocca was denied a possible goal in 2002? Hmm interesting. We could have got them I reckon.

Cats were damn good. What about that bs non free I think it was to the Cats vs The Saints at the end of that epic Qualifying final in 2010? Changes things a lot. Should get mentioned more.

The Hawks well they beat the Cats in 2008. The great Cats with just one loss going into the Granny and the team that vying for b2b and won it in 2009.

Richmond were a brillaint team and came from nowhere. If you're going to mention 2019 or whatever well count the Hawks from 2012-2015. And the Lions from 2001-2004. You did it for Geelong.

The Hawkers lost the QF to The Eagles as predicted by Sam Newman but would go on to win the flag. He called it. That was back in 2015. Travelled to Perth again in the Prelim before playing The Granny and pulverising the shellshocked WCE where Jack Darling

27

Jack Darling

Age

32

Ht

191cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.4

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

14.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

4.0

5star

G

1.4

5star

froze like a deer in the headlights. 2013 Swans, Cats, Freo all victims as the Swannies were again in 2014 as well as the Cats again and Port Adelaide. The Crows fell victims to the Hawks in 2012 and 2015 as well. Sydney were good in 2014 and went in as $1.50 favourites.

The Lions - Good wins against the Pies in both flag years and avenged that loss in the QF to us in 2003. That Bombers team was good, but not truly great. Brisbane were stacked with talent though.

Geelong were awesome and had great wins against the Saints in 2009 and belted everyone in 2011. Including The Hawks.

Richmond got the Catters twice in The Prelim and Granny after being down at half time in both. D-Martin this is your life son.

Way too hard to compare. Best single season by one? I'll go Brizzy with that massive winning streak and the form they played in.

Hawthorn just lost in 2012 by 10 points and it was neck and neck all day. Too close to call. The Saints were great in 2009 only dropping those two in a row to Essendon and North.

Really it's dead even in my opinion.

But The best side is Brisbane 2001 as they won about 16 straight and just blitzed everyone and swept them aside with relative ease. They beat a battle hardened Essendon outfit that was thereabouts for 2 solid, terrific seasons beforehand.

The Brisbane Lions for me. Based on THE best football.

 

[BF Tiger]

It is weird to think Richmond only won two flags at the G this century though, both against interstate teams that fell away badly in the 3 years following and have zero premierships this century.

Geelong did it twice as many times at the G, two of them against interstate sides (who have at least won premierships in the past 20 years) and two of them against Melbourne based sides.

It’s weird to think Geelong have had four opportunities to really mark themselves as a great side by going back-to-back but never could.

 

[Cleansweep17]

It’s weird to think Geelong have had four opportunities to really mark themselves as a great side by going back-to-back but never could.

In a time where Cooney was the best player in the league and Leigh Montagna and Heath Shaw were considered world beaters and teams where tanking to get picks before Gold Coast came into the league. Embarrassing when you let that sink in.

Oh and bombers got in finals with a negative W/L record.

 

[RAPPA]

Only 54 votes for Richmond. Tigers supporters treating this vote like Marvel Stadium.