Who is footy’s Leicester City?

[Bunk Moreland]

The Foxes went from escaping relegation by the skin of their balls to winning the league in one season.

What are the closest examples in VFL/AFL or even other state leagues? It seems like not many premiership teams come from nowhere. Teams that shoot up the ladder always seem to fall a little short in prelims or even losing GFs.

Geelong went from 10th to 1st in 2006 – 2007, how unexpected was that? I know there was a feeling that 2006 was just an “off year”. Does anybody recall betting odds pre-season?

Essendon did 8th to 1st in 1992 – 1993, doubt we’ll be finding those betting odds.

 

[Pykie]

There isn't one.

It'd be like Chris Connolly coming back to coaching and taking Carlton to the flag this year, with Levi Casboult winning the Coleman and Sam Rowe becoming the best defender in the league.

 

[NinjaSwan]

No one, the AFL has a salary cap as well as a draft and other equalisation measures and is a far more even competiton.

 

[Kwality]

Only Richmond have been in the doldrums (without success) since the AFL kicked off & they're not looking like troubling the scorer in a GF any time soon ...

 

[Lord Rod]

Incomparable.. Truly one for the ages.

 

[schmuttt]

To simulate Leicesters season, a bottom 6 team from the year before would have to win the flag, if not bottom 4.

 

[Seeds]

To simulate Leicesters season, a bottom 6 team from the year before would have to win the flag, if not bottom 4.

That's only part of it.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Yes obviously there’s situational differences, but what are the most comparable examples ladder-wise of teams coming from absolutely nowhere?

IIRC Collingwood came from last to a drawn GF in 1977, missed by a point.

 

[Scotland]

To simulate Leicester's success, the premier from the WAFL, SANFL or VFL would have to enter the AFL with the squad they have, finish bottom 4 the first year then win the flag the second.

 

[Matthew2708]

Geelong went from 10th to 1st in 2006 – 2007, how unexpected was that? I know there was a feeling that 2006 was just an “off year”. Does anybody recall betting odds pre-season?

2007 AFL PREMIERSHIP (Sep 29 2007 2:30PM)

WEST COAST $4.00
ADELAIDE $6.50
SYDNEY $7.00
ST KILDA $9.00
FREMANTLE $10.00
WESTERN BULLDOGS $11.00
GEELONG $14.00
MELBOURNE $15.00
COLLINGWOOD $18.00
PORT ADELAIDE $18.00
HAWTHORN $26.00
ESSENDON $35.00
RICHMOND $35.00
BRISBANE $51.00
CARLTON $101.00
KANGAROOS $101.00

http://www.yellowandblack.com.au/community/threads/2007-premiership-odds.70255/

 

[quotemokc]

No one, the AFL has a salary cap as well as a draft and other equalisation measures and is a far more even competiton.

 

[brad cooper]

1916 fitzroy won the spoon and the premiership. Although Only 4 teams competed that year.

Still doesn't compare to Leicester though

 

[adammania9]

Leicester winning the league is the greatest upset in sporting history. It may never be beaten. We don't have that and won't with equalisation (not saying it's a bad thing)

There isn't one.

It'd be like Chris Connolly coming back to coaching and taking Carlton to the flag this year, with Levi Casboult winning the Coleman and Sam Rowe becoming the best defender in the league.

Spot on.

 

[Scotland]

The closest similarities in recent years are Port 2013 and Bulldogs 2015. Small clubs that no one thought were going anywhere that nearly made the top 4.

Even when we went from last to 4th 2010 to 2011 it's not the same because we're historically a big club off field so people expect us to bounce back.

 

[Gydafud]

Eagles went from Wooden-Spooners in 2010 to Prelim-finalists in 2011? Would that be the best rise in the current era?

 

[dmc333]

bigfooty i am disappoint it took you so long

 

[Thrawn]

There isn't one.

It'd be like Chris Connolly coming back to coaching and taking Carlton to the flag this year, with Levi Casboult winning the Coleman and Sam Rowe becoming the best defender in the league.

Sam Rowe isn't doing too badly this year, just quietly.

 

[Tsongkie]

If you watch Leicester's season backwards - then it would be James Hird.

 

[pinot]

EPL is simply beautiful when this happens. Not manufactured engineered nor plastic

 

[PumpyChowdown]

Essendon get banned for a year for doping and are replaced by the Nilma Darnum Football Club. They go on to win the flag.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

Their season started with a orgy in thailand that lead to the manger getting sacked.

Thats stuff that only st kilda can do so its clearly us.

 

[TheKanga]

If North won the flag this year it would kinda be similar in the sense we are a smaller club.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Denmark winning the Euros in 1992 when they didn't even qualify for the finals - would be the closest surprise win in recent memory

 

[Gydafud]

EPL is simply beautiful when this happens. Not manufactured engineered nor plastic

Well it always helps to be bought out by a billionaire. That generally turns around the favours of a club (Chelsea, Man City, Bournmouth, etc)

 

[Rotayjay]

The Foxes went from escaping relegation by the skin of their balls to winning the league in one season.

What are the closest examples in VFL/AFL or even other state leagues? It seems like not many premiership teams come from nowhere. Teams that shoot up the ladder always seem to fall a little short in prelims or even losing GFs.

Geelong went from 10th to 1st in 2006 – 2007, how unexpected was that? I know there was a feeling that 2006 was just an “off year”. Does anybody recall betting odds pre-season?

Essendon did 8th to 1st in 1992 – 1993, doubt we’ll be finding those betting odds.

Adelaide were 11th in 1995, 12th in 1996, then premiers in 1997 and 1998.