Most Heartbreaking Loss

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This thread shows that Cats supporters have had their fair share of heartbreak.
We haven't really, IMO - yes, we were second-best from '89 to '95, but many of those on this forum won't have been watching then, and we are nowhere near the heartbreak stories of Collingwood from '64 to '81, StKilda '09 and '10, or Fitzroy.
 
I'm fairly certain those type of games and also relying on OTHER teams to win/lose for us to make finals- it never happens. We have a shocking record in that regard.

Had a look back, and we were in 8th spot going into the last round and just needed to win to stay there. Since we lost, we then had to rely on North beating the Eagles on the Sunday, but the Eagles ended up winning.
 
Had a look back, and we were in 8th spot going into the last round and just needed to win to stay there. Since we lost, we then had to rely on North beating the Eagles on the Sunday, but the Eagles ended up winning.
And before then Collingwood/Adelaide of 93
 

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Let’s flip this topic on its head and consider: What is the most heartbreaking loss we have dished out?

Some suggestions:

  • 1994 QF: Billy after the siren, Danny Southern and Libba in tears
  • 1994 PF: Hand of God after the siren. The look on Mick Martyn; Carey went on a four day bender (allegedly)
  • Round 22, 1998: We were out of contention but stuffed Essendon’s finals prospects by beating them (some very salty Dons fans around me that day)
  • 2007 GF: 119. I’m not sure Port has ever been the same since
  • 2009 GF: An epic contest, but someone had to lose
  • 2011 GF: Malthouse is still sooking and has never got over it
  • 2020 PF: Dream Crushers for Brisbane, who were hoping for a one-off home GF

Then, of course, there was:
  • Hawthorn, 2009: Bartel after the siren
  • Hawthorn, 2010: Buddy after the siren (long way out and his kick fell short)
  • Hawthorn, 2012: Hawkins after the siren
Edit:

- Hawthorn, 2016: ‘Norm’ Smith after the siren (misses)
 
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Let’s flip this topic on its head and consider: What is the most heartbreaking loss we have dished out?

Some suggestions:

  • 1994 QF: Billy after the siren, Danny Southern and Libba in tears
  • 1994 PF: Hand of God after the siren. The look on Mick Martyn; Carey went on a four day bender (allegedly)
  • Round 22, 1998: We were out of contention but stuffed Essendon’s finals prospects by beating them (some very salty Dons fans around me that day)
  • 2007 GF: 119. I’m not sure Port has ever been the same since
  • 2009 GF: An epic contest, but someone had to lose
  • 2011 GF: Malthouse is still sooking and has never got over it
  • 2020 PF: Dream Crushers for Brisbane, who were hoping for a one-off home GF

Then, of course, there was:
  • Hawthorn, 2009: Bartel after the siren
  • Hawthorn, 2010: Buddy after the siren (long way out and his kick fell short)
  • Hawthorn, 2012: Hawkins after the siren
I don't think the 2022 Swans were over the GF by 2024, so you could add that one.

The 2022 Richmond game, solidified Geelong as contenders and essentially let them know their era was over. And they moaned about it for a couple of years.

The 2024 QF put an exclamation on Hinkley's Port being finals chokers. They bounced back a week later, but the QF ruled them out of contention and the manner in which it happened was soul destroying for them.

2016 QF against Hawthorn was the end of their era too. Yes the Bulldogs knocked them out a week later, but if Smith nails his shot they get a week off to recover and then host Sydney, who they had bullied in recent seasons.
 
That comeback by WC at KP, who were down by about a thousand goals at half time, was a shocker.
It sure was, but despite the terrible loss, I think this match really highlighted that we were not far away from being a very good football team. That all the pieces were there and we just had to figure a few things out.

Few (if any) others could have bashed up the top of the ladder Eagles the way we did for a half. It was bloody amazing!

I remember Rex Hunt making similar points in the paper the following day. That we were not far off at all from being a very good team. Boy was he right!
 
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It sure was, but despite the terrible loss, I think this match really highlighted that we were not far away from being a very good football team. That all the pieces were there and we just had to figure a few things out.

Few (if any) others could have bashed up the top of the ladder Eagles the way we did for a half. It was bloody amazing!

I remember Rex Hunt making similar points in the paper the following day. That we were not far off at all from being a very good team. Boy was he right!

I don't think anyone's mentioned it, but the most disappointing loss for me in 2006 was the last game of the year against...the Hawks, of course. Neither side had anything to play for, but we got smacked around (they also smahed us at KP back in Round 3). I still remember saying something like Bomber's lost the team. Started thinking 2004/2005 was about it for this group...and of course hindsight's great, but I don't think anybody would've anticipated what would happen next.
 
How do people rate the prelim final loss to Lions last year
I'm convinced we would have beaten Sydney had we managed to hold on
Hurts a lot because we had the game in our control. Up by about 25 when danger kicks that goal to start the second half.

The sharp change from happiness to depression in a matter of a minute from O.Henry’s goal then lions back to back response too, was awful.

In all fairness was a great game, just didn’t go our way
 
Hurts a lot because we had the game in our control. Up by about 25 when danger kicks that goal to start the second half.

The sharp change from happiness to depression in a matter of a minute from O.Henry’s goal then lions back to back response too, was awful.

In all fairness was a great game, just didn’t go our way
Yep, it was an extremely painful loss. Up there with 2019 I'd say with how much it hurt, and both obviously had very similar circumstances. In control of the games at half time and then through poor coaching (among other factors) they fell from our grasp. Just had to hang on in both matches and we would have almost certainly had 2 extra Premierships.

I think we rightfully deserve at least 1 more Premiership (very soon) to more accurately reflect our dominance this century. I think 6 up to this point would have been extremely good going, but 5 would probably be about right. Don't wish to diminish the wonderful achievements of the club over the past 2 decades, but 4 flags is still slightly unders for me for how good they have been. Slightly.

Let's hope we snag another in 2025, but even if we don't, I am absolutely convinced that Scotty has at least 1 more flag in him. I feel it very strongly 😄.
 
  • Hawthorn, 2012: Hawkins after the siren
Edit:

- Hawthorn, 2016: ‘Norm’ Smith after the siren (misses)
I was in Rome for Hawkins. At a camp site- very ill with some kind of Italian flu, just sitting at a computer screen watching live scores. Internet was too shitty to actually watch it.

Was awesome to finally see some YouTube of the last 10mins when I got to a place with better internet
 

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All the finals in the last 10-20 years where we didn't fire a shot early and the game was effectively over at 1/4 time, especially when we came back late to make the scoreboard look respectable:

Qualifying final 2019 vs Collingwood - down 1.2 to 4.2 at 1/4 time - final margin 10 points
Elimination final 2018 vs Melbourne - down 0.2 to 5.3 at 1/4 time - final margin 29 points
Preliminary final 2016 vs Sydney - down 0.5 to 7.2 at 1/4 time - final margin 37 points
Elimination final 2012 vs Fremantle - down 0.1 to 5.7 at 1/4 time - final margin 16 points
 
Let’s flip this topic on its head and consider: What is the most heartbreaking loss we have dished out?

Some suggestions:

  • 1994 QF: Billy after the siren, Danny Southern and Libba in tears
  • 1994 PF: Hand of God after the siren. The look on Mick Martyn; Carey went on a four day bender (allegedly)
  • Round 22, 1998: We were out of contention but stuffed Essendon’s finals prospects by beating them (some very salty Dons fans around me that day)
  • 2007 GF: 119. I’m not sure Port has ever been the same since
  • 2009 GF: An epic contest, but someone had to lose--
  • 2011 GF: Malthouse is still sooking and has never got over it
  • 2020 PF: Dream Crushers for Brisbane, who were hoping for a one-off home GF

Then, of course, there was:
  • Hawthorn, 2009: Bartel after the siren
  • Hawthorn, 2010: Buddy after the siren (long way out and his kick fell short)
  • Hawthorn, 2012: Hawkins after the siren
Edit:

- Hawthorn, 2016: ‘Norm’ Smith after the siren (misses)
Brilliant post
1.It would have to be the 09 Saints GF.
They were equal favourites, and the dominant team for most of 09.
Reminiscent of the 08 GF in reverse, although the Saints were a lot closer than we were in 08.
2. The 94 Prelim. Was there and it was an unreal, riveting game. As you said, Carey was morose afterwards, and was involved in that breast handling episode. Bitterly he also said he wanted WC E to beat us in the GF as he said we didn't deserve to be there. As it turned out the Prelim was in effect our GF.
3. The rest- all GREAT memories for Cats supporters.
 
Brilliant post
1.It would have to be the 09 Saints GF.
They were equal favourites, and the dominant team for most of 09.
Reminiscent of the 08 GF in reverse, although the Saints were a lot closer than we were in 08.
2. The 94 Prelim. Was there and it was an unreal, riveting game. As you said, Carey was morose afterwards, and was involved in that breast handling episode. Bitterly he also said he wanted WC E to beat us in the GF as he said we didn't deserve to be there. As it turned out the Prelim was in effect our GF.
3. The rest- all GREAT memories for Cats supporters.
The 1994 finals series, cept the last one of course was just a wild ride. Utter madness it was amazing


Re. Carey and the groping. Apparently he had done that before in clubs if/when women were not interested. That's just something I've heard.
 
One that hasn't been mentioned is the loss to Carlton in 2001 - the game with the SOS-Milburn incident. While the loss was probably to be expected, since we couldn't make the finals and Carlton were firmly entrenched in the top eight, the manner we went about it in that game sucked and was very un-Geelonglike. To not kick a goal after quarter time while being more interested in going the man and not the ball was a disgrace, and was a shocking way to send off a club legend in Buddha Hocking.

We pride ourselves in playing the game as it should be played, but we didn't do it that day.

I’ll never forget this game. I went with Charlie, David Wojcinski's dad. I was around 15 or 16, feeling pretty optimistic that we could pull off an upset… classic me, always hopeful as a Cats fan.

We parked up and as we were getting out of the car, Bomber Thompson was just arriving too. I remember Bomber and Charlie exchanging hellos, and then Charlie asked him, "How do we look today, Bomber?"

Bomber’s reply was short and simple: "...I dunno, they're a pretty good side."

Right then, I knew we were getting smashed that day!
 
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We were never going to win in 94 or 95 guys.

I’m really curious how this was so obvious to everyone at the time.

I was only 9 or 10, but I genuinely thought we had a real shot at winning both years (maybe a little bit delusional looking back).

In 1994, we limped into the finals, but we had some serious momentum heading into the Grand Final. We were on an emotional high after Billy’s after-the-siren match-winner against the Dogs, then we upset Carlton despite having half our midfield pull out before the game, and followed it up with a win over North Melbourne (who many considered flag favorites) at the time.

Whilst the Eagles were very good (...and cheating), I still thought we were a solid chance. What still blows my mind is that we were leading at quarter time, only to be blown away by 80 points by the end.

Then fast forward to 1995…

Unlike '94, I thought we were very good the whole way through in ’95. We again went into the Grand Final in great form after demolishing Footscray and Richmond in the finals. Added, we matched up reasonably well against Carlton after beating them in the second leg of '94 (Ablett and Couch's 200th games from memory), and then lost to them by less than a kick in a thriller earlier in 95.

Whilst Carlton were the best team, I just can't get my head around how we were never a chance to win 95.

Hindsight clearly proves you correct, but at the time, I thought we were more of a chance than we showed.
 
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I’ll never forget this game. I went with Charlie, David Wojcinski's dad. I was around 15 or 16, feeling pretty optimistic that we could pull off an upset… classic me, always hopeful as a Cats fan.

We parked up and as we were getting out of the car, Bomber Thompson was just arriving too. I remember Bomber and Charlie exchanging hellos, and then Charlie asked him, "How do we look today, Bomber?"

Bomber’s reply was short and simple: "...I dunno, they're a pretty good side."

Right then, I knew we were getting smashed that day!

Ididnt mind Mark Thompsons response after the game , shocking loss and all the rest of it , and it was the final game of the season , and he was being bombarded with questions , and he just said , look i just want to go home
 
I think the Semi Final v Sydney where Davis stood up and stole it for them was the worst one for me. I was numb after that game for a good 24 hours. I was still seething from that game at the start of the 22 GF. I relished the 22 GF more than any other win because of that game. I probably got more enjoyment out of embarrassing and demoralizing Sydney than any other game I could remember. They've always been one of my most hated teams because of 2005.
 
I’m really curious how this was so obvious to everyone at the time.

I was only 9 or 10, but I genuinely thought we had a real shot at winning both years (maybe a little bit delusional looking back).

In 1994, we limped into the finals, but we had some serious momentum heading into the Grand Final. We were on an emotional high after Billy’s after-the-siren match-winner against the Dogs, then we upset Carlton despite having half our midfield pull out before the game, and followed it up with a win over North Melbourne (who many considered flag favorites) at the time.

Whilst the Eagles were very good (...and cheating), I still thought we were a solid chance. What still blows my mind is that we were leading at quarter time, only to be blown away by 80 points by the end.

Then fast forward to 1995…

Unlike '94, I thought we were very good the whole way through in ’95. We again went into the Grand Final in great form after demolishing Footscray and Richmond in the finals. Added, we matched up reasonably well against Carlton after beating them in the second leg of '94 (Ablett and Couch's 200th games from memory), and then lost to them by less than a kick in a thriller earlier in 95.

Whilst Carlton were the best team, I just can't get my head around how we were never a chance to win 95.

Hindsight clearly proves you correct, but at the time, I thought we were more of a chance than we showed.
I thought we were A chance against Carlton. We went within them of 2 points at Princes Park during the year (which had a 5 goal advantage for them)- and I just thought we were so fresh.

I thought wrong obviously
 

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Most Heartbreaking Loss


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