PowerfulPies2023
Club Legend
- Oct 5, 2023
- 1,594
- 1,338
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
How high do you rate them? The first team to win 4 finals. The West Coast Eagles, Geelong, The Western Bulldogs and The Saints who were red hot and had the game by the scruff of the neck at various stages throughout the day. They beat the very best in 1997 literally knocking off the 5th placed Eagles, 2nd placed Geelong, 3rd placed Western Bulldogs ( from 7 goals down at The MCG ) and then the 1st placed Saints.
1998 they beat the Best again. Lost to The Dees in week 1 of the finals but knocked out the 3rd placed Swans at The SCG. 2nd placed Doggies again in The Prelim at The G and the Kangaroos at The G again who finished the season in 1st place. 4 goals down at half time is still a long way back. Especially when you're on the road at The Big Cauldron and on The Road for the 3rd successive week, once again claiming another finals record in doing so.
Tony Modra Missed both Grand Finals as did Mark Riccuito in 1997. There were other absentees too and Modra did win the Coleman in 1997 showing how impressive the versatile Crows were. Full Back Shane Ellen sensationally went forward by a master stroke by coach Malcom Blight and finished the game with 5 goals. Darren Jarman kicked 5 of 8 in the last quarter finishing with 6 goals as The Crows simply ran St.Kilda off the park. North Melbourne suffered the same fate a year later with 5 second half goals from D.J and Nigel Smart chipped in with 3. One was an absolute beauty from outside 50 which added a bit of icing to the Crows cake.
Beneficiary of a floored finals system in the 90's some will say well you can throw many teams into that equation. Many indeed. Make no mistake about it though come finals time they were rock solid and played some mesmerising football. Just how good were they? Were they on the level of The Great Hawks, Geelong, Brisbane's and Richmond? On the level DURING FINALS Time? If you win a Premiership in that manner surely you have to be in the discussion. The first team to win 4 finals then backed up by the first side to win 3 games away from home in a row mind you.
I feel that they get overlooked because if you take a closer look, they only lost two less games than the 1st placed Saints in 1997 and 3 less games than the 1st placed Roos in 1998. I feel their finals football could stack up against the very best because it did when it mattered. Carey's North couldn't sustain the Crows frenzy and missed opportunities or not 4 goals up at half time is still a commanding lead.
Their team was stacked to the rafters with quality. North may have kicked inaccurate in 98 but let's not forget 1993 when Adelaide had 12.12 to 6.6 at half time vs Essendon in the Prelim. It happens. It's a game of inches.
1998 they beat the Best again. Lost to The Dees in week 1 of the finals but knocked out the 3rd placed Swans at The SCG. 2nd placed Doggies again in The Prelim at The G and the Kangaroos at The G again who finished the season in 1st place. 4 goals down at half time is still a long way back. Especially when you're on the road at The Big Cauldron and on The Road for the 3rd successive week, once again claiming another finals record in doing so.
Tony Modra Missed both Grand Finals as did Mark Riccuito in 1997. There were other absentees too and Modra did win the Coleman in 1997 showing how impressive the versatile Crows were. Full Back Shane Ellen sensationally went forward by a master stroke by coach Malcom Blight and finished the game with 5 goals. Darren Jarman kicked 5 of 8 in the last quarter finishing with 6 goals as The Crows simply ran St.Kilda off the park. North Melbourne suffered the same fate a year later with 5 second half goals from D.J and Nigel Smart chipped in with 3. One was an absolute beauty from outside 50 which added a bit of icing to the Crows cake.
Beneficiary of a floored finals system in the 90's some will say well you can throw many teams into that equation. Many indeed. Make no mistake about it though come finals time they were rock solid and played some mesmerising football. Just how good were they? Were they on the level of The Great Hawks, Geelong, Brisbane's and Richmond? On the level DURING FINALS Time? If you win a Premiership in that manner surely you have to be in the discussion. The first team to win 4 finals then backed up by the first side to win 3 games away from home in a row mind you.
I feel that they get overlooked because if you take a closer look, they only lost two less games than the 1st placed Saints in 1997 and 3 less games than the 1st placed Roos in 1998. I feel their finals football could stack up against the very best because it did when it mattered. Carey's North couldn't sustain the Crows frenzy and missed opportunities or not 4 goals up at half time is still a commanding lead.
Their team was stacked to the rafters with quality. North may have kicked inaccurate in 98 but let's not forget 1993 when Adelaide had 12.12 to 6.6 at half time vs Essendon in the Prelim. It happens. It's a game of inches.
