When will Geelong finally be labelled the best side in the AFL currently?

[eldorado]

I must admit, this idea that we must all have an opinion on whether Collingwood or Geelong are 'better' than each other, I find a bit odd.

If, all of a sudden, a 'majority' of people, who I've never met and never will, suddenly decide, using a set of criteria I'll never see, that probably differ widely from my own criteria, and that can never be measured, that Team A is 'better' than Team B, I don't see how my life is enriched in any way.

This will probably lead to a chorus of "well, why are you posting then?", but when people start talking about 'evidence', it all gets convoluted.

There are two standout teams; I just don't see why we all need to have an opinion about which is better.

It's not a question of sitting on the fence, just the knowledge this questions cannot be answered, so it seems odd to me to care how other people are answering it.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

They are in my eyes.

 

[CF]

I must admit, this idea that we must all have an opinion on whether Collingwood or Geelong are 'better' than each other, I find a bit odd.

If, all the a sudden, a 'majority' of people, who I've never met and never will, suddenly decide, using a set of criteria I'll never see, that probably differ widely from my own criteria, and that can never be measured, that Team A is 'better' than Team B, I don't see how my life is enriched in anyway.

This will probably lead to a chorus of "well, why are you posting then?", but when people start talking about 'evidence', it all gets convoluted.

There are two standout teams; I just don't see why we all need to have an opinion about which is better.

It's not a question of sitting on the fence, just the knowledge this questions cannot be answered, so it seems odd to me to care how other people are answering it.

that is a very sensible post actually. well written

 

[CF]

teh best team in 08 and 09 didnt win the GF in 08

Why worry ?

corrected for accuracy

 

[God Mode]

Obviously only when they beat Collingwood. Oh wait...

Has there ever been an 11-0 team that was an underdog to win the flag? Geelong have beaten everyone thrown at them, this includes Collingwood and all the other potential finalists. In the end, grand finals aren't decided by percentage. Geelong have proven that when the game is close and the heat is on, they have the skill and poise to win. Which is what finals footy is all about. I don't understand how Geelong winning the close games is a negative... Would it have been better to lose them (ala Collingwood and Carlton?).


Btw, can everyone stop saying 'if not for a dodgy umpiring decision'. If you look at one free kick at costing a team a game, why not look at a free at the 6min mark in the 1st qtr? Or something that was missed 2 minutes before half time? By blaming it on one decision is being selective and is typical of human emotion. And for the record, the siren didn't go straight after the decision. Even if the goal was allowed, how does that = Collingwood win? Geelong could have kicked a goal from the centre bounce, and still won. But let's not try to give credit to Geelong after all they're too slow and too old, which will still be the case if they finish 22-0, right?

/end rant

One of the few intelligent posts I have ever read on this site.

 

[Tatts22]

best side in the comp currently - geelong

premiership favorite - Collingwood

why? See what we did to Geelong in last years prelim and dont come back saying that Geelong is a different team to last season. The real season starts in about round 17 and so far Ive seen no evidence to suggest that Geelong are any better than they were last season. fwiw they dont just have to be better, they have to be 10 goals better - suck it up Geelong fans if we get you in September it will be even more humiliating than what we did to you last season.

A year is a long time in footy - I remember the 2009 prelim Geelong had an even bigger win against Collingwood - it meant nothing though the following year. I don't think what happened last year has much to do with what may or may not happen this year.

Having said that I do believe that Collingwood are miles ahead of any other team.

Collingwood are able to smash teams in very short bursts of footy - a team can look like they are being competitive against them & 10mins later Collingwood are suddenly 8 goals up - Collingwood can just switch up a gear when it's needed.

Barring serious injuries I don't think anyone will get close to Collingwood when it matters. It looks to me like the Pies are coasting & we haven't even seen their best yet.

As a Geelong supporter I am just enjoying & appreciating what they are doing NOW - not stressing about what may happen in a couple of months - a lot of factors come into play so you never know. All the doomsayers were predicting that Geelong would barely make the 8 - so having such a great season thus far has been a bonus for me.

I'd love for them to prove everyone wrong by going all the way one more time - but I know it's a long shot.

 

[Nasma]

Has there ever been an 11-0 team that was an underdog to win the flag?

StKilda '09 at a guess

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

Reminds me of Man Utd, just an all round shit team. Just lucky to win the title as they won so many close games.

Geelong are not the best in the league, they were very lucky to win about 4-5 games this season. They WONT get lucky in the finals though when the pressures on.

Would have thought winning close games shows they handles the pressure alright.

Talk to Jason Blake, Scott Pendlebury, Robert Warnock and Lance Franklin. Respectively brain fade and playing on - didn't have to, playing on to advantage and goaled but not allowed because the umpire was unsighted, concussion and free kick not payed.

Do any of those reasons have anything to do with Geelong's experience? Not at all. They've been good, but they've also been lucky. To deny that is to deny reality.

Do you deny that the Cats have spent 119 minutes being good enough to get themselves in the position to win? Do you deny that dodgy decisions and injuries have gone against them in those 119 minutes?

Look at it in the cold light of reality and you will see you're being ignorant. What you are claiming is not logical.

Concussion, seriously?

best side in the comp currently - geelong

premiership favorite - Collingwood

why? See what we did to Geelong in last years prelim and dont come back saying that Geelong is a different team to last season. The real season starts in about round 17 and so far Ive seen no evidence to suggest that Geelong are any better than they were last season. fwiw they dont just have to be better, they have to be 10 goals better - suck it up Geelong fans if we get you in September it will be even more humiliating than what we did to you last season.

Haha, I think it's you who needs to suck it up. What a w***er

 

[Sttew]

Collingwood's per cantage is 170 per cent with only one loss by less than a kick.

Cats have scraped home many times this year. Still a great side, but that's why the Pies are favourites.

Feel free to get the word out there that the Cats are the team to beat, hopefully than we can slip under the radar for a bit.

So if its a Geelong v Collingwood GF and its a close game, Geelong will have to be favoured. We are the masters of the close encounter.

 

[DTShowtime]

It's a bit like the 08 season. Hawthorn started the season with 9 wins & were undefeated. Geelong to that point were 8 & 1. At that stage, Geelong were blowing away sides & Hawthorn weren't at that level despite the superior win/loss record.

 

[hellfire]

So if its a Geelong v Collingwood GF and its a close game, Geelong will have to be favoured. We are the masters of the close encounter.

Geelong are certainly brilliant under pressure. But I think a few of their "close" wins this year have been a little lucky.

Against Collingwood, you were a blatantly incorrect umpiring decision away from losing. Against Carlton, you were a straight kick for goal 10 metres out away from losing. Against Hawthorn, you were a 50/50 'hands in the back' free-kick away from possibly losing [he might have missed].

All that said, you got the 4 points in all three cases. But I think it's been a combination of cool heads under pressure, and luck. The experience of close encounters should help you come September though.

 

[gaelictiogar]

That's not really true though is it?

Well it is. They are top of the ladder. Last year is history. As is 2009 etc. For this year so far Geelong are top of the ladder.

 

[Chris Pelchen]

Btw, can everyone stop saying 'if not for a dodgy umpiring decision'. If you look at one free kick at costing a team a game, why not look at a free at the 6min mark in the 1st qtr?
/end rant

Good point. There were 12 frees in the first qtr and they all went one way. You dont think a similar 12 frees in a row to a different team in the last qtr would of made a difference?

But back to the question of the OP........
Regrettfully as great a team as Geelong are they will never be labelled as such. This year or any other year. This can never happen.

Just like Matty Lloyd has openly admitted he will never be remembered for his great goal kicking achievments due to his acting/diving, Geelong are in the same boat. Until Chappy stops running through packs with incidental contact to his shoulder and throwing his head back, until Selwood stops milking frees, until Stevie J stops acting completely- well until this happens Geelong could win the next 100 games but will always be remembered by the general public(well the majority with half a brain at least) as a lucky team who exploit umpiring weaknesses to their own advantage.

Yes you could argue that rushing points was exploiting a rule in 2008. However players were doing this for 100 years. It is only in recent times that our great game is turning into a softer version of soccer akin to netball with players taking every opportunity to dive, act, milk their way to points on the scoreboard. Sadly for Geelong the whole world has seen this happen and even more sadder for the game is Geelong were succeeding at it so well over the last few years that all the other teams have tried to copy. Nowhere near as good as the experts mind you.

Obviously Geelong will not be called for bringing the game into disrepute and obviously with the AFL happy for our game to head down this path it will not be stopped. The end result very well might be Geelong milking its way to another 3 flags in a row. The longer term result which is already happening as the greater footy public are starting to open their eyes- Geelong are not gaining any respect, ala Matty Lloyd.

Its a shame because they are truly an awesome team but the only dynasty they will be remembered for is an "umpires dynasty" at a time in history when the AFL were trying to make the game more appealing to mums and Geelong took full advantage.

meow meow. please label us the best.

 

[masterT]

They will be labelled the best side in the comp when they beat a top 4 side that isn't coming off a bye and also when they win where there are no dodgey ump decisions involved.

 

[bulletproof]

Collingwood are worthy of all plaudits they are being given, a mighty side.

Geelong would need injuries or poor performance to beat them at the moment.

 

[Roby]

AFL Power Rankings are here.

There is not much between Collingwood and Geelong, and in fact last week they were equally first in the rankings.

 

[crownie]

collingwood still in a league of their own.

Geelong got them when they were having a flat patch.

i think the difference between Collingwood and the Geelong is 5 goals.

 

[reg_lower91]

They will be labelled the best side in the comp when they beat a top 4 side that isn't coming off a bye and also when they win where there are no dodgey ump decisions involved.

Excuses much?

 

[reg_lower91]

The 40 point drubbing Collingwood gave Geelong last time they played in a match of significance?

Right, so a match played last year between the two teams has relevance to this year's potential final match? If 4 points being up for grabs isn't significant enough for you then I think that says a lot more about your character. Once again, excuses much?

 

[FIGJAM]

So if its a Geelong v Collingwood GF and its a close game, Geelong will have to be favoured. We are the masters of the close encounter.

This means something. This is important.

 

[thecatattack]

Ssshhhh Collingwood are the best side and no one else is gonna compete with them remember.

 

[year of the cat]

Only if we win the flag this year I think. Until then I think that unless something unforeseen occurs the maggies will be seen, quite rightly, as flag favourites. If we beat them again though in the last round that may change.

 

[LongBomb]

It is a little hard to judge as Collingwood has somehow managed to get an absolute dream draw.

No travel and have played just 3 games against the top 7 clubs.
Have won 2 of these 3.

Geelong have played 6 against top 7 clubs. Have won all 6.

I'll reserve my judgement until Collingwood starts playing some higher ranked teams.

 

[de_LICA_ish18]

A margin of 178% says we are still the best. We were very unlucky to lose the game to Geelong and I'd be pretty confident we can get them when it counts. Having said that they are a champion team and can definitely take out the big one if they have a good run with injuries.

I'm quite happy to be 2nd on the ladder, it keeps our players in check and tells them not to get ahead of themselves.

 

[FIGJAM]

Only if we win the flag this year I think. Until then I think that unless something unforeseen occurs the maggies will be seen, quite rightly, as flag favourites. If we beat them again though in the last round that may change.

Hopefully it will be a dead rubber and between VFL players.