2024 vs 2025 Premiership, which is a greater achievement?

[matwt73]

I really can't decide.

2024 felt like a greater achievement because it felt like it had been 20+ years in the making. But in terms of what we had to overcome this year was probably tougher.

At the start of 2024 I didn't trust this side to find always find a way to win. This year I did. 23 and 24 I hoped for wins, this year I expected them, so that made this seem almost inevitable.

I can't even say which GF I enjoyed more, they were both pretty special.

 

[RoyBoy17]

I did call last year as the greatest premiership of all time (of those I've seen). However, this one was harder to win. More adversity with injury and hardest draw you could imagine. Pretty much every team came to play against us this year. To beat a Vic side on the last day and Collingwood in a prelim with a week off and at full strength is remarkable.

 

[martinson]

2025. No doubt.

Bogey said we'll always have Paris and for us we'll always have 2024.

 

[Section 5]

Gee
Which child do i love the best might be easier.
At least i know the answer to that one.

 

[Mazza44]

2025 for me. Whilst 2024 had a miracle finals run, in 2025 our draw was completely against us:

• We played 6 of the top 10 twice.
• Of the three teams we didn't play twice, we played two (Adelaide and Fremantle) away from home.
• This meant we played 8 of these 9 top teams away from home (GWS being the only exception).
• We only had four away games against bottom 8 times (for 3 wins and a draw).

Then, when you add in the finals:

• We played Collingwood (4th) TWICE away from home.
• We played Geelong (2nd) THREE times away from home.

And despite this, our away record for the year was 10-1-3! It's no wonder our home record was below our usual standard this year. The boys needed to constantly recover from their amazing efforts on the road.

Also:

• We played top 10 teams in our final six games, where if we'd lost twice we'd have ended up 7th or 8th, and if we'd lost thrice we'd have missed the finals. Fagan wasn't wrong when he said we'd been playing finals for weeks.
• The only two teams to finish above us had ridiculously easy draws.

Finally, throw in the fact that we lost a third of our starting 22 throughout the year.

What an incredible season.

 

[Elixuh]

Both are equally good but for entirely different reasons.

If you put a bubble gun to my head and said choose, I’d say 2024. Our season was over part way through the year last year.

 

[LionsOrDieTrion]

2025 just, beating Collingwood and Geelong at the MCG

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Dead heat - Equally great
Coming into peak spring carnival, in terms of the Melbourne Cup:

2024 - we missed the jump at the start, got stuck near the the back on the rail, and when we finally got off the rail with 800m to go, came from nowhere with an amazing late charge having to overtake most of the field from way out wide. We came motoring in to the straight, and one by one tracked down the front runners before finally hitting the lead with a furlong to go, to go on and win by two lengths.

2025 - the handicappers went overboard and made us top weight carrying the heaviest weight in the race's history. Then we drew barrier 18 from which no horse had ever won. We got a reasonable start and settled in to a good position. Coming in to the home straight we appeared to be tiring and were overtaken by the 2 short priced favourites, but dug deep to come back and challenge them. It was neck and neck until finally they were broken with a 100m to go and we continued strongly to the line to win by a length.

Both were hailed as two of the greatest wins in the Cup's history !

 

[Dare2beatthebear]

So hard to split.

2024 the week to week ride of basically having to keep winning from about round 9 onwards, then the GWS final (still probably the greatest experience I've ever had at the footy) and then the Geelong prelim. Last year felt like we were the 'destiny' team, that feeling you sometimes get late in a season ala Bulldogs 2016, Richmond 2017 etc.

But 2025, so many times we looked gone. Then about the time we beat Hawthorn away you realised we were just saving the 'effort' for the big games. But when the next one came up, or another player went down, in the back of your mind was always 'is this one step too far?'. And it never was.
Tightest top 8/9 ever. Having to win 15 just to make it. Every week pressure was on.

Hawthorn away
Geelong away
Collingwood away
Freo away
Collingwood away prelim (80K crowd against you. Perhaps the toughest scenario in footy)
Geelong off the absolute textbook perfect preparation

You couldn't possibly script a harder draw, along with the injuries we suffered. And we just kept winning and not just winning, we belted all those teams (with exception of prelim) in the biggest games.

If we're sitting here this time next year comparing 2026, something extraordinary is going to have to happen to rival 24 and this year.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

The 2024 season nearly derailed early, the four final wins including the two epic comebacks, on the back of a sustained period of success, topped off with the drought breaking premiership.
Versus this years injury toll, the draw, the way the team got up for big matches and rebounded was unreal. However, I think these things will be lost in statistics over time and lose some of its meaning to the general observer.

I felt like we were unlucky and more deserving in 2023 than Collingwood, on the back of key injuries late, this year felt like redemption on that luck.

I think the 2024 season will be viewed by most as the better overall result of the two, which sits well with me. This premiership here, that was mightily brilliant though, this should galvanize an unwavering belief in the core of the team for the next decade if managed right.

I believe Geelong supporters would be feeling like we did after 2023, it will be interesting to see how they bounce back.

 

[Sproj]

So hard to split.

2024 the week to week ride of basically having to keep winning from about round 9 onwards, then the GWS final (still probably the greatest experience I've ever had at the footy) and then the Geelong prelim. Last year felt like we were the 'destiny' team, that feeling you sometimes get late in a season ala Bulldogs 2016, Richmond 2017 etc.

But 2025, so many times we looked gone. Then about the time we beat Hawthorn away you realised we were just saving the 'effort' for the big games. But when the next one came up, or another player went down, in the back of your mind was always 'is this one step too far?'. And it never was.
Tightest top 8/9 ever. Having to win 15 just to make it. Every week pressure was on.

Hawthorn away
Geelong away
Collingwood away
Freo away
Collingwood away prelim (80K crowd against you. Perhaps the toughest scenario in footy)
Geelong off the absolute textbook perfect preparation

You couldn't possibly script a harder draw, along with the injuries we suffered. And we just kept winning and not just winning, we belted all those teams (with exception of prelim) in the biggest games.

If we're sitting here this time next year comparing 2026, something extraordinary is going to have to happen to rival 24 and this year.

I'm actually really hoping we make 2026 the statement year and those blow everyone away and watch everyone cry and complain the whole year right up to winning the GF by 200.

 

[On the quiet]

Both have merit, but i think 2024. Season was gone sitting at 13th, think bookies had Lions at over $41 to win the comp. Coming from outside the top 4 and that remarkable come from behind win against GWS.

I believe we will be there again in 2026, no matter how hard a draw we receive. We have shown over the past couple of years we can win without some of our big name players, so can cover injuries, as we did this year. Only an improving Hawthorn and possibly GWS are any threat next year. Suns are building but still a couple of years away and need a KPF. Crows will face a tougher draw next year and are one or two mids short.

 

[Sproj]

Both have merit, but i think 2024. Season was gone sitting at 13th, think bookies had Lions at over $41 to win the comp. Coming from outside the top 4 and that remarkable come from behind win against GWS.

I believe we will be there again in 2026, no matter how hard a draw we receive. We have shown over the past couple of years we can win without some of our big name players, so can cover injuries, as we did this year. Only an improving Hawthorn and possibly GWS are any threat next year. Suns are building but still a couple of years away and need a KPF. Crows will face a tougher draw next year and are one or two mids short.

I think GWS will go backwards. I think Geelong will too. I think it will be Hawthorn and Freo coming at us with GC IF they can get a third mid.

 

[Andyy]

2025 for me.

There's something about losing to a team in a QF then beating them in the GF.

I remember this happened to me when I played something like U13's basketball haha. This one mob beat us twice during the season, in the qualifying final or whatever, then we smashed them in the grand final and I scored 18 points. Heck, they even had the injured guy a la Cameron running around with a plastered finger unable to play properly because his ego was too big to sit it out! Can't beat that feeling.

 

[Nunez]

2024 was an all timer, written off half way through, clawing our way back then having the most incredible finals fightbacks in history to make the GF. I honestly don't think we'll see a season like that again.

2025 GF was better in isolation though. The injuries, 3 first year players (two with 11 or less games). 8 under 22. Against a team that champion data stated has "little to no weaknesses". On paper, it was not one we should have been able to win.

To not only win, but to do so with a tactical masterclass by the coaches and all players old and young playing with such steely belief was the stuff of legends.

 

[Lion_LegacyXL]

After reflecting on it more the last 2 days I'd say 2025. Someone else summarised it perfectly, last year's flag was built off pure adrenaline and emotion whereas this years flag through resilience and being able to adapt we've established ourselves as a genuine powerhouse in the competition.

 

[braddsey]

Both are awesome achievements in their own right.
This year was certainly the harder achievement, and very very satisfying considering the opponent and that we were rank underdogs (with the media) but smashed them in the GF.

 

[ZoBlitz]

I think the posting on here was much better during the season mostly so I'm going with that.

 

[buttermuffs]

Depends on how you look at it.

From a story perspective it’s 2024. With injuries shaking the squad alongside a poor start to the season, it was incredible to make that run. Winning those semi and preliminary finals were magical and capping it off with a great grand final. Proved doubters wrong.

Coming in to 2025 we lost Joe and most thought a down year was very probable before we picked up Allen for 2026. With one of the hardest fixtures ever and more injuries the ability for us to win that grand final with the inexperienced players playing to go back to back is magnificent.

 

[Viceregal]

I just think it is grand to be in the position to have this discussion!

 

[rye]

fans will all have their own opinions for wildly different reasons but i suspect the club internally would value 2025 higher.

2024 felt like we really tried to shoot for the moon and pulled off a miracle. repeat the events of that year and i daresay we don't win the flag in many of those replays. not to take away from the achievement, but winning the GWS and geelong finals and the grand final from 5th in the manner we did just does not happen very often at all, and required a fair bit of things going our way.

2025 we had the far harder draw, lost our premiership full forward before the season began, lost our premiership centre half forward and full back to knee injuries and had our captain go down with a season ending calf injury at the start of finals. despite this, we were coached brilliantly and never looked like losing after week 1 and played to a level that showed we are so far ahead of everyone else it has the rest of the competition querying who can go with us next year. turning it around on geelong from the qf and absolutely outcoaching them on the day with moves like neale sub, ah chee to dempsey, half forwards constantly rotating up and being spare at stoppages and being willing to potentially give away free kicks to physically intimidate the opposition speak to how good the coaches and other off-field staff got it this year. i felt like we controlled our own destiny much better in this regard and if you replayed this season, we would almost certainly win it every time in hindsight.

 

[MSB ROYS]

My personal opinion but it's like being ask who is your favourite child. It was so difficult.

1. 2001 - The first was the sweetest to me. Brisbane Lions win a premiership - unfathomable. Essendon have never been the same since this game.
2. 2003 - Considered no chance and smacked the Pies. The Gold Jackets were put away early in the third quarter. So satisfying.
3. 2025 - Considered little chance and just smoked the Cats. The last half 10 goal onslaught was unbelievable. Fagan the master coach.
4. 2002 - Very tense, scrappy game in average conditions with a close finish. Luckily the good guys triumphed, Aker's goal was heaven, but Voss was robbed of the Norm.
5. 2024 - Close for a quarter and then the Swans went into Mad Monday mode. Similar to 2025, but it was a second quarter demolition this time.

 

[Ironmonger]

My personal opinion but it's like being ask who is your favourite child. It was so difficult.

1. 2001 - The first was the sweetest to me. Brisbane Lions win a premiership - unfathomable. Essendon have never been the same since this game.
2. 2003 - Considered no chance and smacked the Pies. The Gold Jackets were put away early in the third quarter. So satisfying.
3. 2025 - Considered little chance and just smoked the Cats. The last half 10 goal onslaught was unbelievable. Fagan the master coach.
4. 2002 - Very tense, scrappy game in average conditions with a close finish. Luckily the good guys triumphed, Aker's goal was heaven, but Voss was robbed of the Norm.
5. 2024 - Close for a quarter and then the Swans went into Mad Monday mode. Similar to 2025, but it was a second quarter demolition this time.

The 2001 premiership is still our club's greatest achievement, and probably always will be.

There has never been a bigger shoe-in for the flag at the beginning of a season than Essendon in 2001. None of the teams we've conquered since then deserve to be in the same sentence as the 1999-2001 Bombers.

 

[LionsOrDieTrion]

The 2001 premiership is still our club's greatest achievement, and probably always will be.

There has never been a bigger shoe-in for the flag at the beginning of a season than Essendon in 2001. None of the teams we've conquered since then deserve to be in the same sentence as the 1999-2001 Bombers.

Fair call. I was 12 years old and watched that GF at my cousins house…who are all Bombers fans, balloons up and all…glorious day!

 

[martinson]

The thing that's hard to assess is who you beat to do it.

I thought the Geelong Prelim final side in 2024 was as strong as they'll ever get and the Sydney GF side was really weak.

In 2025 I thought both Geelong and Collingwood were surprisingly a little beat up and Geelong weren't as strong and ready in 2025 as they were in 2024.

But the counterpoint to that is that we rode a wave in 2024 with a strong side and if anyone had the right to be beaten up and weakened in 2025 it was us.

The key to it all is that whoever we selected in either year they played a whole lot better in finals than I'd seen some of them play all year. Dizzy and Charlie hadn't done anything like they were able to do in the 25 GF. We know Zorks can play like he did when he's on but seriously , he was laser like and missed nothing. Neale was just inspired.

It's all about belief and desire. We need to bottle that and bring it out again in '26.