The rankings (from best to worst) of the 114 VFL/AFL premiership sides

[Dan26]

What is this victorian trash? You can't leave out East Fremantle 1946 (undefeated)

1946 East Fremantle 11.13 (79) d. West Perth 10.13 (73)
Backs: F. Clarke; R. Mellowship; J. Clarke
Half-backs: Charlie Doig; K. Ebbs; D. Gabrielson
Centres: D. Conway; B. Beccaria; H. Jeffreys
Half-forwards: C. Briggs; J. Conway; J. Green
Forwards: J. "Runty" Mc Donald; G. Prince; J. Sheedy
Ruck: A. Ebbs; S. Soltoggio; V. French
Reserves: D. Needham; P. Scorer
Coach: J. Dolan

East Fremantle's 1946 side was the only club in any of the three major football states ever to go through an entire post-war season unbeaten.

This is a list of the premiership teams in the current competition.

I'm sure that Fremantle team was sensational, but they are not a team that competed in the VFL/AFL since this competition started in 1897, so obviously they are not in THIS list.

If you are making a list of the best WAFL premiership teams go right ahead. I wouldn't expect anyone would be stupid enough to claim Collingwood of 1929 deserve a place in the best WAFL premiership teams of all time.

 

[Dan26]

North's 70's sides one of the worst ever?

And the 1996 side 40 places ahead of it ffs?




Lost all credibility there.


The 70's side made 5 straight grand finals.


A side with these guys in it, one of the worst flag sides of all time?


Keith Greig
Barry Cable
David Dench
Malcom Blight
Wayne Schimmelbusch
Barry Davis
Doug Wade
John Rantall




OK.....


You have to take into account more than win/loss and % during the regular season, there are many more intangibles when evaluating great sides.

Listing the great North players in those teams is meaningless, because every side on the list has great players.

North's 1970's flag sides finished 3rd both years, lost finals matches in both years, and were by no means a dominant team in either premiership year.

When compared to other premiership teams, they were always going to be ranked near the bottom. That was one of the easier decisions to make.

1996 was easily North Melbourne's best ever premiership side.

 

[Dr Awkward]

Nice list there.

Naturally I disagreed with a few things:

This year's Collingwood team is not that high. They were a very worthy premiership team but surely not in the top 26. They were clearly beatable and drew the first grand final.

Port Adelaide in 2004 was surprisingly high.

Interesting to see where you rated North's premiership in 99 I remember them being pretty dominant and worthy at that time.

Great to see you had the Carlton 95 team right up there, that was such a champion side that was great to watch. Didn't rate Geelong 2009 premiership that much, St Kilda should have won that one.

Pretty good crack at a list though, good to see you havn't at all been biased to the more recent teams. You are spot on with Essendon in 2000 at the top.

 

[Suspense]

Time to see where the latest premiership team fits in to to the list. I use my own knowledge from the time of have spent watching football combined with anecdotal, statistical, and wrtten accounts from the early years to rank the 114 premiership teams. I use relativity, taking into account the standard of the competition at the time, so as to not disadvantage teams from the past who were not competing in a national competition, with the resources and professionalism of modern day clubs.

To be honest, I think it's difficult immediately ater the Grand Final to rank a side, because the winning side, regardless of who they are always gets talked up as being a super-side probably beyond what they deserve. However, I think the Magpies deserve a high ranking (I've put them at number 26 out of 114.) Firstly, they were extremely consistent all year, never having a genuine flat-spot. They finished minor-premiers, losing only 4 games. When all 26 matches are taken into account, they had a percentage of 144.3%, which stacks up well with some of the teams at the top of the list. They beat the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th placed teams in the finals by 62, 41, and 53. They were ranked 2nd in attack and 2nd in defence, and perhaps only the lack of a genuine gun forward to top them off stops them being ranked higher.


1.) Essendon 2000. This team earnt the right to be called the greatest in VFL-AFL history. A 24-1 record, with a percentage of 163.9 from 25 games, winning three finals by 230 points (identical to Geelong of '07) At no stage did they look like losing, with even their one loss to the Bulldogs being narrow, after having had 27 more inside 50's. The Essendon team of 2000 did everything that you could ask, in order for them to be called the best ever. And if they weren’t the best, what would they needed to have done extra, to earn that accolade? A champion team and as close to being unbeatable as a team has ever been in VFL-AFL history, with the closest challenge being.....

2.) Collingwood 1929. This team went 19-1 over 20 matches with a percentage of 159.5. They had champions on every line, and were regarded as the greatest combination to have played to that point. The ONLY team to ever be unbeaten in the H&A season. Collingwood fans may label them the best ever VFL-AFL side – I put them at number 2 out of 114. A 62 point loss to Richmond in the finals costs them the number one position on my list. Gordon Coventry was the first to person to kick 100 goals (124) and the Pies completed the treble with Albert Collier winning the Brownlow.

3.) Melbourne 1956. The Dees were at their zenith this year with an 18-2 record and a percentage of 149.4%. Coached by the VFL-AFL coach of the century, Norm Smith and with champion players such as Barassi, Adams, Cordner and Beckwith leading the way, the 1956 Melbourne side was their best side in the most dominant era by one club in VFL-AFL history. A side that could turn it on at will. Many old-timers suggest this was the type of team who could have gone undefeated if they really wanted to.

4.) Hawthorn 1989. The Hawthorn side of ’89 was their best in one of the most powerful eras in history. The Hawks reached their zenith in ’89. They went 21-3, with a percentage of 149.5, had champions everywhere and at their best, were simply unstoppable. I rate them the 4th best of 114 premierships sides. However, unlike Essendon of 2000, or Collingwood of 1929, they didn’t quite have the aura of being totally invincible. Their loss to the Bears holds them back a spot.

5.) Essendon 1950. Tempted to put them higher, but number 5 is fair enough. Here was a team that was near invincible. Just look at their record: 19-1, with a percentage of 159.2! With Coleman at his peak, D*ck Reynolds and Hutchison lurking, this was the best Essendon side in their golden era. At the time, many rated this side alongside the 1929 Magpies team as the best of all time.

6.)Geelong 2007. A fantastically dominant team in '07, winning the Grand Final be a revcord margin, having a percentage for the year over 160% from 25 games. Only great teams can do that. A team, who used skillful, attacking "corridor" midfield play, complimented with a group of players in the mid 20's who have played over 100 games giving them the perfect mix of youth and experience. 21-4, a percentage over 160% and three finals wins by a total of 230 points.

7.) Carlton 1908. Carlton’s first golden era produced three great sides, the best of which was the 1908 side. Jack Worrall became the first ever coach, and propelled the Blues to 19-1, with a percentage of 173.7%. Old timers still hold this side as the greatest, and if modern coaching techniques were applied, no doubt they would still be hard to beat in the present day.

8.) Melbourne 1955. Marginally behind the 1956 side, this Melbourne side went 17-3 with a percentage of 150.3%, and showed the makings of a team that would continue to dominate for years to come. The 1955 Melbourne side was heralded as one of the all time greats. A great even spread of talent with no reliance on individuals - a hallmark of the Melbourne teams of thos era

9.) Hawthorn 1988. Only behind their ‘89 team due to their inferior defence which conceded 200 points more than the ’89 model. This great team was ruthless, skilled and efficient, and amassed a 21-3 record. Many believe they peaked in ’88, but I believe the Hawks reached their absolute zenith in 1989. Deserve their ranking as the 9th best out of 114.

10.) Collingwood 1927. After losing the Grand Final in 1925 and 1926, this side was ready to peak. They amassed a 17-3 record, with many superstars, proving they could be a champion team and a team of champions. With Coventry kicking 97 goals, and his brother winning the Brownlow, the 1927 side featured the Magpies greats close to their best.

11.) Geelong 1952. Although other teams have amassed superior records, this Geelong side was still one of the greatest in history. They won the premiership in the middle of an unbeaten run that would stretch to 26 consecutive games into the following season, and their attacking, free-flowing style of play became a Geelong tradition. Their 18-2-1 record (140.2%) was a testament to their greatness. Geelong’s best ever side until 2007.

12.) Carlton 1995. This great side had it all - experience, hardness, skill, and a willingness to win. Amassing a 23-2 record with a percentage of 140.6% they played with a professionalism that no club had previously matched. Incredibly, did not lose to a finalist all year. They didn’t quite have the same aura of invincibility as some of the sides in the top 10, but their almost unbeatable record alone ensures them a high ranking.

13.) Carlton 1979. With a 21-3 record and a percenatge of 138.9%, and three narrow, spaced losses, this team didn’t have any obvious weaknesses. They nearly blew it in the Grand Final, but their performances through the year were worthy of one of the all time great sides. A rampant mosquito fleet, with a bevy of big name stars all over the field.

14.) Essendon 1985. Sheedy's team peaked to such an extent that they blew away the opposition with a 21-3 record, and were hailed as one of the grea sides of all time. With no apparent weaknesses, a top ruckman, onballers, options everywhere in attack, and a solid defence, this side ranks as one of the greats. Their three losses were all substantial which takes a little away from them, but I still rate them at number 14 out of 114.

15.) Collingwood 1928 Slightly behind their 1929, and 1927 sides the '28 side was one of the greats but perhaps not that far ahead of the other contenders that year. Finished with a 17-3-1 record, and a percentage of 132.5%. Right smack-bang in the middle of the Magpies most famous era. Won the Grand Final by 33 points. Gordon Coventry kicked 89 goals.

16.) Melbourne 1960 This Melbourne side amassed a 16-4 record but with the players at their disposal, that record arguably didn’t do them justice. This was a side that could have easily gone through the season losing only one or two games. In their 7th consecutive Grand Final, they kept Collingwood to only 2.2.14.

17. Essendon 1911 Under the guidance of the first super-coach, Jack Worrall, who previously led the Bues to three consecutive premierships, the Same Old's as they were known at the time amassed a 17-2-1 record with a percentage (including finals) of 173.3%! The two losses were by 3 and 8 points

18. Melbourne 1959 Another Demons super-side from their golden era. Not talked about in the same breath as 1955, 56, but this side, along with 1960, were at roughly the same level. The team has a 15-4-1 record from 20 games, winning two finals by 44 and 37 points

20. Hawthorn 1986 Just when it seemed the era was coming to and end in 1985, the experienced ruthless Hawks bounced back in 1986 to finish minor-premiers with 18 wins, and crushed Carlton by 42 points in the Grand Final. The difference betwen a young Jason Dunstall kicking 77 goals from 22 games in 1986, compared to his 132 in 1988 and 138 in 1989, is essentially the difference between the rankings of where those teams sit compared to this one.
________________________________________________________
21. Essendon 1962
22. Geelong 1937
23. Fitzroy 1913
24. Fitzroy 1899
25. South Melbourne 1933
26. Collingwood 2010
27. Essendon 1901
28. Geelong 1925
29. Port Adelaide 2004
30. West Coast 1992
31. Richmond 1974
32. Brisbane 2002
33. Fitzroy 1898
34. Carlton 1906
35. Collingwood 1902
36. South Melbourne 1909
37. South Melbourne 1918
38. Essendon 1984
39. Richmond 1967
40. West Coast 1994
41. North Melbourne 1996
42. Geelong 2009
43. Hawthorn 1971
44. Richmond 1932
45. Collingwood 1930
46. Melbourne 1957
47. Melbourne 1964
48. Essendon 1946
49. Geelong 1951
50. Collingwood 1936
51. Geelong 1931
52. Collingwood 1903
53. Carlton 1914
54. Collingwood 1919
55. Carlton 1915
56. Hawthorn 2008
57. Brisbane 2001
58. Richmond 1980
59. Carlton 1981
60. Carlton 1972
61. Essendon 1949
62. Carlton 1982
63. Geelong 1963
64. Hawthorn 1961
65. Hawthorn 1983
66. Carlton 1987
67. Richmond 1934
68. Brisbane 2003
69. Richmond 1969
70. Melbourne 1939
71. St.Kilda 1966
72. Collingwood 1953
73. Carlton 1968
74. Hawthorn 1991
75. Carlton 1947
76. Richmond 1920
77. Essendon 1923
78. Essendon 1942
79. Melbourne 1926
80. Richmond 1973
81. Essendon 1965
82. West Coast 2006
83. Melbourne 1941
84. Fitzroy 1905
85. Fitzroy 1944
86. Carlton 1970
87. Carlton 1938
88. Richmond 1943
89. Collingwood 1935
90. Collingwood 1990
91. Collingwood 1958
92. Essendon 1924
93. Melbourne 1940
94. Hawthorn 1978
95. Essendon 1993
96. North Melbourne 1975
97. Hawthorn 1976
98. North Melbourne 1977
99. Collingwood 1910
100. Essendon 1897
101. Adelaide 1998
102. Fitzroy 1904
103. Fitzroy 1922
104. Adelaide 1997 (like any flag side they were good, but there were many better)
105. Sydney 2005 (workmanlike, needed everything to go right)
106. Essendon 1912 (stole it off South Melbourne)
107. Melbourne 1948 (stole if off Essendon)
108. Carlton 1945 (percentage of only 106% and came from 4th, as war ended.)
109. Footscray 1954 (a modest win-loss record in a very even year)
110. Kangaroos 1999 (Worst defence of the top-10 teams. Percentage of 115%)
111. Richmond 1921 (stole it off Carlton)
112. Collingwood 1917 (war years)
113. Melbourne 1900 (came from 6th and helped by finals system)
114. Fitzroy 1916 (war years. Actually won wooden spoon and flag)

cool opinion, bro.

collingwood 2010 team would have swarmed essendon 2000 into paralysis.

 

[Dr Awkward]

cool opinion, bro.

collingwood 2010 team would have swarmed essendon 2000 into paralysis.

You are an idiot if you think Coll 2010 was better than Essendon 2000.

People seem to already be forgetting that the first grand final was a draw!

 

[Suspense]

You are an idiot

no u.

if you think Coll 2010 was better than Essendon 2000.

the game evolves and game styles change and adapt to be the most effective; collingwood 2010 are currently the best team ever.

People seem to already be forgetting that the first grand final was a draw!

saints are an alright team.

 

[IronMike]

collingwood 2010 are currently the best team ever.

haha...listen to this *******.

 

[Pykie]

Listing the great North players in those teams is meaningless, because every side on the list has great players.

North's 1970's flag sides finished 3rd both years, lost finals matches in both years, and were by no means a dominant team in either premiership year.

When compared to other premiership teams, they were always going to be ranked near the bottom. That was one of the easier decisions to make.

1996 was easily North Melbourne's best ever premiership side.

This is where your problems lie.


You don't take into account the strength of the opposition, and the strength of the sides in question.

You only taking into account a win/loss system.

Yet a number of wins, one year, is worth more in another era because of the strength of opposition.


Having seen both sides (im guessing you havn't), I can unequivocally say, the 1975 North side would of beaten the 1996 side, fairly easily, the 1998 side would of been closer, yet it didn't win a flag.

Can you see how flawed your rankings system is?

1996 was easily North Melbourne's best ever premiership side.

Yep, you've got no clue.




Also, every side has great players?


Surely you understand some players are better than others?


Considering Cable, Dench and Greig are considered close to the best players of their positions of all time, Wade is one of the greatest goal kickers of all time and Blight is a Coleman Medalist/Brownlow Medalist swingman, and thats not taking into account Davis/Rantall, both in 2 different clubs teams of the centuries, Schimmelbusch was Nth's games record holder up until 2 seasons ago....


As an avid North supporter, I guarantee you the 77' side was better than the 96' variant.

 

[Suspense]

haha...listen to this *******.

 

[Lionel Lyon]

 

[Dan26]

This is where your problems lie.


You don't take into account the strength of the opposition, and the strength of the sides in question.

You only taking into account a win/loss system.

Yet a number of wins, one year, is worth more in another era because of the strength of opposition.


Having seen both sides (im guessing you havn't), I can unequivocally say, the 1975 North side would of beaten the 1996 side, fairly easily, the 1998 side would of been closer, yet it didn't win a flag.

Can you see how flawed your rankings system is?





Yep, you've got no clue.




Also, every side has great players?


Surely you understand some players are better than others?


Considering Cable, Dench and Greig are considered close to the best players of their positions of all time, Wade is one of the greatest goal kickers of all time and Blight is a Coleman Medalist/Brownlow Medalist swingman, and thats not taking into account Davis/Rantall, both in 2 different clubs teams of the centuries, Schimmelbusch was Nth's games record holder up until 2 seasons ago....


As an avid North supporter, I guarantee you the 77' side was better than the 96' variant.

I understand your bias. Everyone wants their own team higher.

To be honest, the one I stewed over the most and the one I'm surprised many havn't demanded to be higher is Hawthorn's 1971 side. That's quite contentious, but Don Scott himself said that they weren't as good as perhaps their marvellous win-loss suggested, with a big reliance on Peter Hudson.

1971 was therefore a hard one to rank.

North's sides were quite easy. As good as North's 1970's flag sides were, there are just so many premiership sides from other clubs that deserve to be ranked higher. Someone has to be ranked at slots 96 and 98. I can't just leave those slots blank.

 

[Pykie]

I understand your bias. Everyone wants their own team higher.

To be honest, the one I stewed over the most and the one I'm surprised many havn't demanded to be higher is Hawthorn's 1971 side. That's quite contentious, but Don Scott himself said that they weren't as good as perhaps their marvellous win-loss suggested, with a big reliance on Peter Hudson.

1971 was therefore a hard one to rank.

North's sides were quite easy. As good as North's 1970's flag sides were, there are just so many premiership sides from other clubs that deserve to be ranked higher. Someone has to be ranked at slots 96 and 98. I can't just leave those slots blank.

I don't see how I can be biased against my own side?

I was merely comparing your rankings of the North 1975/1996 sides, not any other side, which you have the 1996 side 40 places above the 1977 side, of which 99% of North supporters agree, 1975 is easily our strongest premiership side.



Your system is rubbish.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Might be a little bias and understand it is just your opinion Dan but west Coast 92 you have rated with contempt.

The first non Vic side to win a flag under a gruelling travel schedule still playing on Vic suburban grounds would clearly be in the top 3 in my view.

Travel is not such an issue these days but back then it was a huge impost and for any side outside of Victoria to win it was simply a remarkable achievement.

 

[Dan26]

Might be a little bias and understand it is just your opinion Dan but west Coast 92 you have rated with contempt.

The first non Vic side to win a flag under a gruelling travel schedule still playing on Vic suburban grounds would clearly be in the top 3 in my view.

Travel is not such an issue these days but back then it was a huge impost and for any side outside of Victoria to win it was simply a remarkable achievement.

For what it's worth, I think the best ever side that West Coast produced was their 1991 side. They were remarkable that year.

I understand your bias. Everyone wants their own side to be higher, even if it's undeserved. But 1992, as good as they were, are fairly ranked in my honest view.

Consider that:

- they finished 4th at the end of the H&A season
- they had only the 9th best attack.
- Had a modest percentage of 125.9%

Most of the teams at the top end of the list are either first or second in both attack and defence. West Coast in 1992 was NINTH in attack. In fact, if they had lost the close Elimination Final to Hawthorn, they would have officially finished 6th for the season.

Considering the sides above them, there is no reason to rank them higher.

If anything, they are extremely generously ranked at 30 out of 114.

No one disputes all the sides on the list are great, but you have to take into account the sides you are comparing them to. Every side on this list is a premiership side.

 

[year of the cat]

For what it's worth, I think the best ever side that West Coast produced was their 1991 side. They were remarkable that year.

I understand your bias. Everyone wants their own side to be higher, even if it's undeserved. But 1992, as good as they were, are fairly ranked in my honest view.

Consider that:

- they finished 4th at the end of the H&A season
- they had only the 9th best attack.
- Had a modest percentage of 125.9%

Most of the teams at the top end of the list are either first or second in both attack and defence. West Coast in 1992 was NINTH in attack. In fact, if they had lost the close Elimination Final to Hawthorn, they would have officially finished 6th for the season.

Considering the sides above them, there is no reason to rank them higher.

If anything, they are extremely generously ranked at 30 out of 114.

No one disputes all the sides on the list are great, but you have to take into account the sides you are comparing them to. Every side on this list is a premiership side.

They were 4 goals down at halftime in that GF and Matera went beserk in the 3rd quarter to change the complexion of the game. The only GF in that period from 89-95 that we should have won.

 

[Dan26]

They were 4 goals down at halftime in that GF and Matera went beserk in the 3rd quarter to change the complexion of the game. The only GF in that period from 89-95 that we should have won.

It was 12 points the diff at half time, not 4 goals, and the writing was on the wall then.

West Coast had Geelong's measure in that era, and they were always going to win. Ended up winning by 28 and had 8 more scoring shots. Played all over Geelong after quarter time. 14.11.95 to 7.8.50 after quarter time.

 

[boncer34]

Agree 100%, Essendon 2000 had a great year but their competition was poor.

Teams were either rebuilding or needed to, as evidenced by the inept scrawny u/18 GF opponent that year Melbourne.

Yeah we only beat up on the reigning premiers by 125 points.

****ing shit we were.

 

[Crow-mo]

I would have Essendon 2000 over Carlton 1995 every day of the week. Essendon 2000 was a defensive powerhouse. AND they had Llloyd at FF.

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[Crow-mo]

I'm sure it doesn't take that much time to cut and paste it all into a new thread each year.

lol. correct weight

PS. there are a few more years than just 2008, 2009, 2010 out there too.

 

[Crow-mo]

For what it's worth, I think the best ever side that West Coast produced was their 1991 side. They were remarkable that year.

lets give you the benefit of the doubt here, what happened to WC's 1991 campaign?

if you were such a keen observer you'll be familiar with the fairly specific circumstances and how that affected their campaign.

you'll also then realise how silly your statement is.

 

[Dan26]

lets give you the benefit of the doubt here, what happened to WC's 1991 campaign?

if you were such a keen observer you'll be familiar with the fairly specific circumstances and how that affected their campaign.

you'll also then realise how silly your statement is.

I can pinpoint it exactly actually. The State of Origin mid-week match at the WACA mid-season. The Eagles were never quite the same after that.

Their first half of that 1991 season is still, in my opinion the best and most dominant football I have seen from any side. They looked and felt unbeatable.

 

[Dan26]

, of which 99% of North supporters agree, 1975 is easily our strongest premiership side.

Considering North of 1975 only finished 3rd on the ladder and lost a finals match, amassing only a 14-8 win-loss record and a percentage of 115%, this is a strange comment.

The Carey led 1996 side was far superior IMHO. Had morwe wins, scored more points, had a better percentage, and didn't lose any finals matches. Brutal efficiency from Pagan's famous long kicking game-plan, with a powerhouse of scoring options.

 

[Dan26]

Good list.

My only quibble would be that these two might possibly be swapped around.



Hard to say for sure, and I'm probably just splitting hairs.

Other than that, I had the rest of them ranked same as you.

Yes, my memories of the 1905 side are a little sketchy at best

 

[damuzzdu]

Dan,

Good try...but seriously do some proper research.

Leaving out Essendon of 2000...top 10 maybe but no way number one.

But to have Adelaide 1998 at 101 is totally laughable.

They were 1 win away from finishing 3rd...

They have done something no other club has done in the modern era....and that is win the flag from 5th....that in itself says the team was way better than where they finished on the ladder. They got belted by Melbourne in first week of finals...but then had to back onto the road and play away from home for the next three weeks and won in Sydney (in the mud), beat a very good WB team by 68 points with Bungie McLeod playing one of his best games ever, and then beat a classy Nth Melb outfit (with "The King" at his peak) coming from 24 points behind at half time. That shows class. Won going away.

Collingwood 1990 @ 90th is also laughable. Together with Essendon both dominated the season. I wonder if yr team had won the flag that year whether you have it ranked higher...me thinks prob in top 30 at least.

It is nearly impossible to compare football played in the 50's & 60's where it was just long kicking and no handball to the game of today.

Best team in last 20 years and go on and win the flag was Carlton in 1995. Strong competition that year, but was great side. (it hurts to say it, but)

As for Collingwood this year...we dominated esp after R10 only 1 loss. Would put them in top 20 just imo.

 

[Dan26]

Dan,

Good try...but seriously do some proper research.
.

LOL. When this list was compiled orginally, do you have any idea, how much research went into it? Hours and hours.

They were 1 win away from finishing 3rd...

They have done something no other club has done in the modern era....and that is win the flag from 5th

Every side on the list won the flag. Why would I give a side that wins the flag from 5th a higher ranking than a team that wins the flag from top? That's essentially what you are asking,.

They got belted by Melbourne in first week of finals.

Another reason why they're ranked lower than most. Their premiership winning finals series consisted of a losing finals match. The better premiership sides on the list dominated the season and the finals. Collingwood's losing 1929 finals match is essentially the reason they are ranked at 2, instead of 1.

..but then had to back onto the road and play away from home for the next three weeks and won in Sydney (in the mud), beat a very good WB team by 68 points and then beat a classy Nth Melb outfit.

So, what you're saying is that they did it the hard way? If they were a bit better and finished top, and earnt home finals and won the flag earning a week off and home games, by your logic should I rank them lower? What kind of logic is that?

Beating great teams doensn't make you great. BEING that great team yourself, makes you great,

Every side on the list is a premiership team. Logically the sides who won the flag from low ladder positions had to win the flag the hard way. That's no reason to give those premiership sides higher rankings than sides who were more dominant, and did it "easier" in the finals, by virtue of the fact that they were better teams.

Most of the sides in top 20 won their premiership in those seasons the easy way, because they were so bloody good.