The Alternative Grand Finals

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Apr 13, 2015
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1994: North Melbourne vs Melbourne - North would win. Melbourne had a lot of talent but not the hardness or consistency of North.

1995: North Melbourne vs Richmond
A bit harder to pick as the Tigers were flying that year. However, North for the same reasons as 94.

1996: Brisbane vs Essendon
Essendon, Brisbane were a good side but I don’t know if they were good enough to handle the G just yet.

1997: Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne
Dogs. North just weren’t good enough this year.

1998: Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne
Dees. Really got rolling on the G in that finals series. Dogs seemed out of sorts that September.

1999: Essendon vs Brisbane
Essendon. One that got away for them that year.

2000: Carlton vs North Melbourne
Tough one. Carlton were decimated by injury in the lead up to that finals and North were starting to weary. Carlton just.

2001: Richmond vs Hawthorn
Hawthorn narrowly. They had a lot of momentum in that finals series despite Richmond being better in the home & away.

2002: Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
Port. Finished top, should’ve made the Grand Final that year, Adelaide overachieved a little bit.

2003: Port Adelaide vs Sydney
See 2002. Swap Adelaide for Sydney, Port by plenty this time.

2004: St Kilda vs Geelong
Intriguing match up between two young sides on the rise. Geelong in a close one.

2005: St Kilda vs Adelaide
Adelaide. The Crows underachieved by not making a Granny in 05-06.

2006: Adelaide vs Fremantle
Crows by plenty. Freo were clearly behind Adelaide, West Coast and Sydney that year.

2007: North Melbourne vs Collingwood
Pies. North were a plucky side but just didn’t have the weapons come September.

2008: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda
Dogs. Felt the Saints were a bit behind them, Hawthorn and Geelong in that year.

2009: Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood
Dogs. Collingwood were building but Footscray were in a window.

2010: Geelong vs Western Bulldogs
Geelong. The Dogs took a bit of a backward step that year and the Cats still had a bevy of stars

2011: Hawthorn vs West Coast
Hawks. Good year for the Eagles but Hawthorn too strong at the G.

2012: Adelaide vs Collingwood
Pies. Collingwood were on the way down but reckon they would’ve got up against this Crows incarnation at the G in a big final.

2013: Geelong vs Sydney
Geelong. The Swans had a bit of a hangover this year and were belted in the QF and Prelim.

2014: Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne
Port. Rode a wave of momentum that September.

2015: Fremantle vs North Melbourne
Tough to pick. Freo were the better side but were limping through September. North played good footy in finals. Kangas by a whisker.

2016: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
GWS. They had the running power to really worry the Cats.

2017: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
Geelong. Were better in 17 than 16 IMO and GWS were worse.
 

halalsnackpack

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Apr 11, 2018
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North vs Freo in 2015 would've been interesting. Brad Scott and Ross Lyon going for their first flag and the last chance for Sandilands, McPharlin, Boomer and co to win one for the last time.

Sadly all GF's in the 90s were one-sided affairs

Would've been hilariously bad lmao. Think we would've won but it would've been a trash game
 
Fyfe played that prelim on a broken leg didn't he? Reckon the Roos may have had them without Nat playing the following week.

Pav was unlikely to play as well, tore his calf in the prelim
 
Apr 28, 2008
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1994: North Melbourne vs Melbourne - North would win. Melbourne had a lot of talent but not the hardness or consistency of North.

1995: North Melbourne vs Richmond
A bit harder to pick as the Tigers were flying that year. However, North for the same reasons as 94.

1996: Brisbane vs Essendon
Essendon, Brisbane were a good side but I don’t know if they were good enough to handle the G just yet.

1997: Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne
Dogs. North just weren’t good enough this year.

1998: Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne
Dees. Really got rolling on the G in that finals series. Dogs seemed out of sorts that September.

1999: Essendon vs Brisbane
Essendon. One that got away for them that year.

2000: Carlton vs North Melbourne
Tough one. Carlton were decimated by injury in the lead up to that finals and North were starting to weary. Carlton just.

2001: Richmond vs Hawthorn
Hawthorn narrowly. They had a lot of momentum in that finals series despite Richmond being better in the home & away.

2002: Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
Port. Finished top, should’ve made the Grand Final that year, Adelaide overachieved a little bit.

2003: Port Adelaide vs Sydney
See 2002. Swap Adelaide for Sydney, Port by plenty this time.

2004: St Kilda vs Geelong
Intriguing match up between two young sides on the rise. Geelong in a close one.

2005: St Kilda vs Adelaide
Adelaide. The Crows underachieved by not making a Granny in 05-06.

2006: Adelaide vs Fremantle
Crows by plenty. Freo were clearly behind Adelaide, West Coast and Sydney that year.

2007: North Melbourne vs Collingwood
Pies. North were a plucky side but just didn’t have the weapons come September.

2008: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda
Dogs. Felt the Saints were a bit behind them, Hawthorn and Geelong in that year.

2009: Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood
Dogs. Collingwood were building but Footscray were in a window.

2010: Geelong vs Western Bulldogs
Geelong. The Dogs took a bit of a backward step that year and the Cats still had a bevy of stars

2011: Hawthorn vs West Coast
Hawks. Good year for the Eagles but Hawthorn too strong at the G.

2012: Adelaide vs Collingwood
Pies. Collingwood were on the way down but reckon they would’ve got up against this Crows incarnation at the G in a big final.

2013: Geelong vs Sydney
Geelong. The Swans had a bit of a hangover this year and were belted in the QF and Prelim.

2014: Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne
Port. Rode a wave of momentum that September.

2015: Fremantle vs North Melbourne
Tough to pick. Freo were the better side but were limping through September. North played good footy in finals. Kangas by a whisker.

2016: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
GWS. They had the running power to really worry the Cats.

2017: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
Geelong. Were better in 17 than 16 IMO and GWS were worse.
Pretty good effort, agree with almost all of that, good feel for each finals series.
 
Alternative match up for every year since 1994 when 2 prelim finals was first introduced

1994: North Melbourne vs Melbourne
1995: North Melbourne vs Richmond
1996: Brisbane vs Essendon
1997: Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne
1998: Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne
1999: Essendon vs Brisbane
2000: Carlton vs North Melbourne
2001: Richmond vs Hawthorn
2002: Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
2003: Port Adelaide vs Sydney
2004: St Kilda vs Geelong
2005: St Kilda vs Adelaide
2006: Adelaide vs Fremantle
2007: North Melbourne vs Collingwood
2008: Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda
2009: Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood
2010: Geelong vs Western Bulldogs
2011: Hawthorn vs West Coast
2012: Adelaide vs Collingwood
2013: Geelong vs Sydney
2014: Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne
2015: Fremantle vs North Melbourne
2016: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
2017: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
2012 and 2001 interest me most. 2014 would have been obscene, two ‘bottom 4’ ie elimination final sides
 
Feb 5, 2018
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2012 and 2001 interest me most. 2014 would have been obscene, two ‘bottom 4’ ie elimination final sides

When you think about the late 90's and early 2000's, you immediately consider the Kangaroos, that incredible Essendon side, Brisbane, Carlton... and it actually makes it even more surprising and random to know Richmond and Hawthorn were actually that close to playing a grand final in the same time frame. Both are looked at during that entire period as being battlers.
 

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Royce Hafey

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Mar 6, 2013
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When you think about the late 90's and early 2000's, you immediately consider the Kangaroos, that incredible Essendon side, Brisbane, Carlton... and it actually makes it even more surprising and random to know Richmond and Hawthorn were actually that close to playing a grand final in the same time frame. Both are looked at during that entire period as being battlers.
The Richmond list from 1995 to 2001 was pretty good. The core was the same in both these years: Richo, Knights, Campbell, Gasper, Gale. They should have made finals regularly, but the club was under-resourced and the coaches were mostly crap after Northey left at the end of 1995. This was the period where the "Ninthmond" legend was born.
 

blckcaviar

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Jul 21, 2018
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Last year was a massive GF year, because both clubs hadn't won a GF in so long and both supporter bases were so large and rabid. The whole closure of Richmond streets thing that happened afterwards was insane, Melbourne media just went nuts for Tigers last year around this time, as did Adelaide media for the Crows.

If last year had been Geelong vs GWS, it would have been much less of a deal.
 
Apr 28, 2008
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Arsenal Kilmarnock
Last year was a massive GF year, because both clubs hadn't won a GF in so long and both supporter bases were so large and rabid. The whole closure of Richmond streets thing that happened afterwards was insane, Melbourne media just went nuts for Tigers last year around this time, as did Adelaide media for the Crows.

If last year had been Geelong vs GWS, it would have been much less of a deal.
Maybe so, but Geelong and GWS did have the makings of a potential rivalry bubbling away for neutrals interest. I don't think Adelaide and Richmond have ever had anything remotely like that, the 2006 "keepings-off" tactical upset is about as narky as it gets.

In the end, the better form sides made the GF, so can't complain. Both Geelong and GWS were closer to the flag in 2016.
 

roacheee

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Aug 25, 2015
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Last year was a massive GF year, because both clubs hadn't won a GF in so long and both supporter bases were so large and rabid. The whole closure of Richmond streets thing that happened afterwards was insane, Melbourne media just went nuts for Tigers last year around this time, as did Adelaide media for the Crows.
If last year had been Geelong vs GWS, it would have been much less of a deal.
true, but who'd have thought
gws v dogs
tiges v crows
wce v port
would actually have a rivalry going?
finals become folklore.
 

Macpotata

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Mar 22, 2017
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Every year during this week it is a bit of fun to speculate on the possible grand final match ups out of the preliminary finals.
It seems as if once the winners are set, the losers and match up we missed out on is completely forgotten.
I've always wondered who the eventual premier would have been if the two losing teams had made it through.

There are some intriguing potential match ups over the years.
2015 feels like quite recent history, and it's incredible to consider that the alternative grand final that season was North Melbourne vs Fremantle.
2016 was an interesting one also, as both teams that won through from the qualifying finals went on to lose. Geelong vs GWS still would have been a cracker that year if ended up being the big one.

So here is a list of the previous 10 'alternate grand finals'. Assuming both sides go in unchanged from the prelim, who wins and why?
Also feel free to add any from history.

2008: Western Bulldogs vs St.Kilda
2009: Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood.
2010: Western Bulldogs vs Geelong
2011: Hawthorn vs West Coast
2012: Adelaide vs Collingwood
2013: Geelong vs Sydney
2014: Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne
2015: North Melbourne vs Fremantle
2016: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
2017: Geelong vs Greater Western Sydney
Good thread, I love these.

2008, very interesting. The Saints finished the season in barn storming fashion where as the Bulldogs were more solid and consistent all year round. Both got belted by the Hawks with the Dogs copping a thumping in the finals opener Frdaiy night at the G. It would be the Saints turn 2 weeks later under lights at the G on a Saturday. Both were poleaxed and suffered hige losses at the hands of the eventual premier. The Doggies sole win came vs Sydney in week 2, while the Saints was against an inaccurate Magpie outfit. Doggies pushed us in the prelim and went down by 29 points but were in the game at 3 quarter time. It really would have been flip a coin tbh and not much separating either side. Maybe the fact that the Dogs fared better in the prelim than the Saints did could give reasoning to sway the edge in their favour but who knows. If I had to tip I'd go Dogs and they did finish the season 10 points clear of 4th placed ST.Kilda who nipped Adelaide on percentage after upstaging the Bombers by 108 points in the last home and away game of the year.

2009 - Dogs vs Pies - Going Doggies. Just lost narrowly to the Saints in that Friday night pearler. Weren't disgraced against us in week 1 as were the Pies against the Saints. In week 2 Dogs smashed the Lions, Pies beat the Crows with that Jack Anthony Goal at the death. 15-7 regular season records but the narrow loss as opposed to the Pies mauling by us has to give the Doggies the edge. All if's and but's because if the Pies made it though it would have meant they'd beat us obviously and once they're there they would have been hard to stop. But based on their regular season records then finals performances, have to pick Western.

2010 - Us for sure. We just had the Dogs measure beating them already in 2008 and 2009. 14-8 record for Bullies, we were 17-5. If we made a third straight, we would have won.

2011 - Hawks. No question. Fared very well against the Maggies and should have beaten them. Eagles admirable in defeat against them themselves, beat Carlton narrowly then never in it vs Geelong. Hawks lost to us in week 1 then beat the Swans easily. Just more battle hardened and at the G wouldn't have been beaten.

2012 - If Adelaide could have beaten Hawthorn at the MCG then why couldn't hey have beaten Collingwood. Inaccurate vs Sydney in week 1 then held off a stern Freo in week 2 before Danger blew a chance to win it in week 3. The Pies were hit with emotion ahead of their clash in Sydney but were never going to beat them. Good win against WCE after getting well beaten by the Hawks in week 1. A Collingwood outfit playing in the 3rd straight flag plus with the big game experience would take some stopping however so that evens things out dramatically. Collingwood would have started favourites if they met, but again, if the Crows would have beaten Hawthorn they could have beat the Pies. Same goes if Collingwood would have beaten Sydney at ANZ. On form throughout the finals though, Adelaide would have won.

2013 - Geelong for sure. Swans too many injuries and well beaten by Freo but the scoreboard and Freo's taking it easy flattered the Swans. We lost by 5 pooints to the Hawks. We would have won easily.

2014 - Port. Port. Port. Killed Richmond. Came back from 4 goals down at half time { should have been 8 } away to Freo to smash them in the end. Lost to the Hawks when they should have been out of sight by quarter time. Roos were good in their first two coming back against Ess and beating us. Demolished by the Swans in the Prelim. Port gets it.

2015 - Freo. Or would they. They were in control or in it until a dropped mark by Tom Sheridan. Should have led by more early in their prelim home to hawks. Lucky against an inaccurate Swans side who were missing 5 or 6 good players in the qualifier. North beat Richmond, Sydney who were still injured then lost to WCE in Perth but things could have been a little different. Interesting. I'm not so sure. Home crowd I'll pick North actually.

2016 - Cats

2017 - Cats

I'm not being biased in either in all seriousness. Home crowd advantage and we were very good both years, just not in prelims.
 
Sep 7, 2009
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2018 Richmond v Melbourne

A fit Richmond would've easily defeated Melbourne and go back-to-back. Melbourne would've been overwhelmed by the occassion similar to West Coast 2015. Would've been a massive buildup in Melbourne but game would've been anti-climatic.
 
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Nov 28, 2011
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Not quite the same as they made the GFs in 05 & 06 but how Sydney managed to avoid the Crows in those two finals series seriously pisses me off


West Coast always beat Adelaide
Adelaide always beat Sydney
West Coast & Sydney shared the points

only one of those match ups didn't happen :(
 

Macpotata

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Alternate Grand Finals

1990 - Eagles vs Pies - Pies
1991 - Cats vs Hawks - Hawks
1992 - Dogs vs Eagles - Eagles
1993 - Crows vs Blues - Blues
1994 - North vs Melb - North
1995 - Richmond vs North - North
1996 - Brisbane vs Essendon - Essendon { Would have loved this one }
1997 - Roos vs Dogs - Dogs if the Roos were missing who they had out the week before, if not, Roos }
1998 - Melbourne vs Dogs - Again, would have loved this. Toss of the coin. Dees would have been really up for it, so too Dogs, probably Doggies }
1999 - Lions vs Dons - A beauty. But the mighty Bombers fly up, up.
 
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Macpotata

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2000 - Roos vs Blues - Blues
2001 - Tigers vs Hawks - Hawks
2002 - Crows vs Port - Port
2003 - Port vs Swans - Swans
2004 - Cats vs Saints - Saints
2005 - Saints vs Crows - Saints
2006 - Crows vs Freo - Crows
2007 - Pies vs Roos - ******* lol
2008 - Saints vs Dogs - Dogs
2009 - Dogs vs Pies - Dogs
 
Not following why the Pies, Hawks and Eagles are respectively in the first three?

Also the Pies would have wiped the floor with North in 2007. Geelong were barely capable of finishing us off in both of our matches in 2007. 2009 would’ve been interesting given not much separated us on any measure.
 
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