The best teams at NOT going back to back

[PonsfordMagpie]

The two that instantly come to mind.

Geelong (2007-2011) = Won in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Lost the 2008 Grand Final.

Carlton (1968-1972) = Won in 1968, 1970 and 1972. Lost the 1969 Grand Final.

 

[Liam Boy]

North from 1974-1979 could be considered unlucky not to have gone back to back at least once considering we were in 5 straight Grand Finals (6 if you count the 77 replay) and then finished 2nd but lost the prelim in 79. But then again, 2 North flags and 2 Hawthorn flags over the period is probably about right, they'd be unlucky not to have won one of theirs.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Tigers had a shocking run of 51 years 1922-1972 without B2B.

Then another very embarrassing period of 45 years 1974-2019 without a flag playing part of a b2b sequence.

Still, I guess it could be worse.

Collingood 88 years will soon crack 100 years without b2b.

Geelong 72 years will soon raise the bat for the 3/4 century without going b2b.

Bombers & Blues a relatively short 39 & 42 years respectively since last going b2b, they will be comfortable enough with those levels for now.

 

[Hoops]

St Kilda 09/10 should have won both but came away with nothing.

Saints are gonna ain't

 

[Lunchtime]

So 2019 has an asterix because we got to play too many games at the MCG, and 2020 where we played almost the entire season (including every final) interstate also gets to have an asterix.

What is interesting is that in 2020 two Victorian teams made the Grand Final (Richmond & Geelong) after being on the road for 100+ consecutive days. Whilst the season wasn't normal due to COVID you have to admire Richmond & Geelong for making the Grand Final that year. Tough season that was. Only the toughest prevailed.

Good teams win anywhere & anytime.

 

[PhatBoy]

What is interesting is that in 2020 two Victorian teams made the Grand Final (Richmond & Geelong) after being on the road for 100+ consecutive days. Whilst the season wasn't normal due to COVID you have to admire Richmond & Geelong for making the Grand Final that year. Tough season that was. Only the toughest prevailed.

Good teams win anywhere & anytime.

Honestly - and this is NOT a shot at the Tigers so before any of the usual suspects jump in and take it that way, please don’t bother because I have made it abundantly clear I don’t think it’s an asterisk premiership/Covid Cup/whatever else you want to call it etc.

It holds as much merit as the other wins.

But I never felt any more pride in making that GF over any of the others we made in modern times because we were in the bubble or hub or whatever you want to call it. Many other sides were in a similar situation and at least we weren’t travelling week to week etc.

It would have been an uncomfortable reality to handle to begin with but by the time finals rolled around I think it was just business as usual for all teams involved

 

[Mr Meow]

Honestly - and this is NOT a shot at the Tigers so before any of the usual suspects jump in and take it that way, please don’t bother because I have made it abundantly clear I don’t think it’s an asterisk premiership/Covid Cup/whatever else you want to call it etc.

It holds as much merit as the other wins.

But I never felt any more pride in making that GF over any of the others we made in modern times because we were in the bubble or hub or whatever you want to call it. Many other sides were in a similar situation and at least we weren’t travelling week to week etc.

It would have been an uncomfortable reality to handle to begin with but by the time finals rolled around I think it was just business as usual for all teams involved

Brisbane and Port were choke artists during the pandemic.

They had it laid out on a plate for them but come knockout finals time, they folded.

Brisbane finally learned how to play knockout finals in 2022 and have been reliable since.

Port never learned.

 

[PhatBoy]

Brisbane and Port were choke artists during the pandemic.

They had it laid out on a plate for them but come knockout finals time, they folded.

Brisbane finally learned how to play knockout finals in 2022 and have been reliable since.

Port never learned.

They did have it there for them most definitely. But to me I just saw it as how the interstate teams probably see every other finals series with the added bonus that we weren’t really charged with the worry of travel aside from week 1

 

[Mr Meow]

They did have it there for them most definitely. But to me I just saw it as how the interstate teams probably see every other finals series with the added bonus that we weren’t really charged with the worry of travel aside from week 1

True that.

It's like when Geelong finally got a real home final in 2013 but then blew it. Bitter irony.