Inclusive of the VFL/AFL years as of 2023 which team is #1?

[Sinoswooper]

Yes, there are debates about overall best team records, should it include VFA, SANFL etc as to who is the most successful team. But taking the criteria of most VFL/AFL premierships, Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon each have 16 flags, but who is #1 and why?

 

[RUNVS]

Impossible to say as none of us were around in the 1910's or 1920's.

 

[peetoo]

Of the choices it should be collingwood.

Lost more grand finals than 8 clubs hve played in collectively

 

[TheUnicorn]

Who the hell cares about flags from back when the competition had less teams/fairness/meaning etc.

The correct answer is Geelong.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

West Coast.

If we're talking pro rata of success over time, 4 flags in only 36 years with never less than 15 teams in the comp is a remarkable achievement.

 

[dean33]

Yes, there are debates about overall best team records, should it include VFA, SANFL etc as to who is the most successful team. But taking the criteria of most VFL/AFL premierships, Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon each have 16 flags, but who is #1 and why?

So a team that has won 13 of its 16 flags pre 1959 is included… ok lol

 

[Back One Out]

Definitely not Collingwood who won most of their flags under the antiquated, ludicrous "Challenge" system which the league used prior to 1931

Really, those premierships shouldn't be counted.

 

[Engimal v3]

Voted Pies as the other 2 are crap

 

[Soggy2112]

Relative to how long they have been around it’s between Hawthorn and West Coast for who the #1 club is IMO.

 

[Danw0w]

Clearly Richmond.

Collingwood's "challenge" flags don't count. Also this year's flag is compromised because of the prelim final robbery.

Carlton was never the best team, just the richest.

Essendon won a premiership in a year without a grand final and haven't won one in the 18 team comp (neither have Carlton).

Richmond and Hawthorn tied for first with the dees in third place.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Who’s won the most ‘Grand Finals’?

Carlton? Hawthorn?

 

[JayJ20]

Has to be Collingwood and quite comfortably. Most minor premierships, most second place finishes, least wooden spoons.

Premiers:

Carlton 16
Collingwood 16
Essendon 16

Runner ups:
Collingwood 27
Essendon 14
Carlton 13

Minor premierships:
Collingwood 20
Essendon 17
Carlton 17

Wooden spoons:
Collingwood 2
Essendon 5
Carlton 5

 

[TheUnicorn]

We desperately seek validation from others, we're the best!

Fixed

 

[The_Eagles]

Collingwood Carlton Essendon VFL/AFL
Hawthorn AFL

 

[Saab NLAW]

Clearly Richmond.

Collingwood's "challenge" flags don't count. Also this year's flag is compromised because of the prelim final robbery.

Carlton was never the best team, just the richest.

Essendon won a premiership in a year without a grand final and haven't won one in the 18 team comp (neither have Carlton).

Richmond and Hawthorn tied for first with the dees in third place.

I'm with you because you have us in third

 

[Milanista28]

I picked Essendon, just felt right. What a club

 

[Magpie Since 1986]

Has to be Collingwood and quite comfortably. Most minor premierships, most second place finishes, least wooden spoons.

Premiers:

Carlton 16
Collingwood 16
Essendon 16

Runner ups:
Collingwood 27
Essendon 14
Carlton 13

Minor premierships:
Collingwood 20
Essendon 17
Carlton 17

Wooden spoons:
Collingwood 2
Essendon 5
Carlton 5

Correct answer.

Collingwood also have the most games won (1600 wins) and a positive head to head record against both Carlton and Essendon.

Collingwood also have the most recent premiership if that counts for anything (since a lot of people in this thread seeming to discount the old ones).

Until someone else gets to #17 it is Collingwood at the top.

 

[The Dougster]

I picked Essendon, just felt right. What a club

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Clearly Richmond.

Collingwood's "challenge" flags don't count. Also this year's flag is compromised because of the prelim final robbery.

Carlton was never the best team, just the richest.

Essendon won a premiership in a year without a grand final and haven't won one in the 18 team comp (neither have Carlton).

Richmond and Hawthorn tied for first with the dees in third place.

Richmond fans are actually Homer Simpson.

Whenever Richmond's not on screen, all the other characters should be asking, "where's Richmond?"

 

[Danw0w]

Richmond fans are actually Homer Simpson.

Whenever Richmond's not on screen, all the other characters should be asking, "where's Richmond?"

At least Homer Simpson has teeth

 

[peetoo]

2023 makes huge difference. 2 flags from 6 gf since the other two teams were in one

1 from 6 would have been really sad

 

[Sinoswooper]

Collingwood Carlton Essendon VFL/AFL
Hawthorn AFL

When the AFL began. Hawks followed by Geelong. Mind you, Hawthorn's record from 1961 is incomparable.

 

[Coach_Required]

Hawthorn 5 flags 1 runners up
Geelong 4 flags 5 runners up
West Coast 4 flags 3 runners up

Since the comp went national in 1990.
Sure, premierships before that time are important to those clubs who won them but from a ranking perspective, they mean nothing.

 

[Spiritof82]

Definitely not Collingwood who won most of their flags under the antiquated, ludicrous "Challenge" system which the league used prior to 1931

Really, those premierships shouldn't be counted.

Essendon's first in 1897 shouldn't be counted as no GF was played, at least Collingwood and Carlton have played GF's to win their flags

 

[peetoo]

Hawthorn 5 flags 1 runners up
Geelong 4 flags 5 runners up
West Coast 4 flags 3 runners up

Since the comp went national in 1990.
Sure, premierships before that time are important to those clubs who won them but from a ranking perspective, they mean nothing.

Hawthorn 4 from the other two