From 1999-2004 the Lions played in all but one preliminary final. Even in that one year, they made the semi finals. Going even further back they made their first finals appearance in 1995 pushing eventual premier Carlton to the brink. Made the Prelims the next year in 1996, first round exit in the 1997 finals. From 1995 to 2004 missed the finals only once and played in 6 of a possible 10 preliminary Finals.
The Cats started their run in 2004 where they fell a miserly 9 points short against the Lions who at the time were reigning 3 peat champions and would go on to play their 4th successive grand final. 2005 pipped by Davis and the Swans to the grand final who would go on and win it and from 2007-2011 played in 4 Grand Finals winning 3. Made it to the prelims in 2010 and 2013. From 2007 to 2014 played in 6 of a possible 8 prelim finals.
Hawks started their journey in 2007 where they had a good come back vs the Crows inspired by Lance Franklin's 7 majors which also included the winning goal late on. Stumbled against the Roos the next week as the favoured team but would win the big one the next year. 2009 they missed the finals, 2010 they were eliminated the first round to Freo. 2011 choked against Collingwood in a game they should have won and 2012 many say they choked again losing the GF to the Swans. Winners in 2013 and 2014 and sit 3rd on the ladder going into the finals as premiership favourites.
From 2007 to 2014 played in 5 of a possible 8 preliminary finals and have played in the last 3 grand finals.
Who has been the most impressive during this time? Who is the best in your eyes? If they played each other absolute prime, the best they could all possibly play, who would be the undisputed king?
The Cats started their run in 2004 where they fell a miserly 9 points short against the Lions who at the time were reigning 3 peat champions and would go on to play their 4th successive grand final. 2005 pipped by Davis and the Swans to the grand final who would go on and win it and from 2007-2011 played in 4 Grand Finals winning 3. Made it to the prelims in 2010 and 2013. From 2007 to 2014 played in 6 of a possible 8 prelim finals.
Hawks started their journey in 2007 where they had a good come back vs the Crows inspired by Lance Franklin's 7 majors which also included the winning goal late on. Stumbled against the Roos the next week as the favoured team but would win the big one the next year. 2009 they missed the finals, 2010 they were eliminated the first round to Freo. 2011 choked against Collingwood in a game they should have won and 2012 many say they choked again losing the GF to the Swans. Winners in 2013 and 2014 and sit 3rd on the ladder going into the finals as premiership favourites.
From 2007 to 2014 played in 5 of a possible 8 preliminary finals and have played in the last 3 grand finals.
Who has been the most impressive during this time? Who is the best in your eyes? If they played each other absolute prime, the best they could all possibly play, who would be the undisputed king?