Losing a GF vs Losing a PF - which is a worse feeling?

[HTT]

I found losing a PF to be far worse than losing an EF. As for a comparison to losing a GF, I hope I never experience that.

 

[Lsta062]

I guess it depends on the circumstances and whether the Grand Final loss is an upset or not. If we were miles off it then I’d rather us making the Grand Final and losing as long as it is not a 60+ margin.

If we made the Grand Final in 2018 but lost, I think it would be more jarring that losing in the Prelim. Think about it. Finishing Minor Premiers and suffering from our first loss of the year at the MCG in a Grand Final. Would leave a fairly bitter taste in my opinion.

 

[Lsta062]

I found losing a PF to be far worse than losing an EF. As for a comparison to losing a GF, I hope I never experience that.

The 3rd EF loss in a row to North Melbourne was worse to me. The PF may have felt worse at the time it happened, but losing 3 EFs in a row is something that left some deep-seeded trust issues for me as a Richmond supporter. In comparison, I am almost over the PF loss.

 

[Frank Grimes]

I think a lot of it depends on situations such as how often your team plays finals, when the last time the team won the flag, who the loss is against and how the team lost the game ( did they choke, never in the game, going in as favourites/underdog or a close fought out game).

Of the losing finals Richmond played in the last 6 years, the Carlton EF final was the one the hurt the most for me. It was the first time Richmond played finals for 12 years, we finished 5th on the ladder and we were playing Carlton who finished 9th were only in it due to Essendon being punished for the doping scandal. It should have been a walk in the park for us and we got to something like a 4-5 goal lead at one point. Carlton rallied and won the game.

While the Prelim final loss against Collingwood was disappointing, it didn't really 'hurt' that much. For me personally it hurt less than all the other Final loses we had in the last 6 years. I think it comes down to winning the flag a year earlier. If we didn't win the flag in 2017 then I think it would be a different story.

 

[Yojimbo]

I can remember most of the Premiers going back a long time, more so than who won the Brownlow or who won
the Coleman Medal that year it is harder however to remember who they beat to win the flag. The term grand
final hangover is a common one, but I am yet to hear of a preliminary final hangover. The build up to the
grand final every season is enormous and it consumes some players before they take the field.

As a neutral supporter when it comes to the grand final every year barring 2016 I can tell you seeing the Dogs
colours adorn the streets in the grand final parade is a feeling you cannot explain or put words too.

 

[threesixpio]

Its a funny question but i think it depends on circumstance.

In order of pain my hierarchy would be

2009 GF
2005 PF
2010 Replay
2004 PF
2008 PF

The draw was another feeling all together at the time, but 2009 was absolutely awful. 2005 is worse than 2010 because we were leading at 3 quarter time and felt like we were finally going back to the GF against an interstate team we could've beat and it fell to pieces in the final quarter.

The replay sucked for a lot of reasons but 2004 while painful felt like a strong effort away from home with a lot of pride to be taken from it. 2008 just didn't register being over by about 10 mins into the 2nd quarter.

Man being a Saints supporter must require mega resilience

I think GF losses are harder. Losing a PF means you weren’t even slightly good enough. I imagine the 2009 GF would have really stung as you were the best team that year IMO. Losing a GF, particularly in a year where you have played better in the season is horrible.

That said, the hardest GFs are obviously the close ones. Collingwood fans would have hated last year but the neutrals were treated to a great game.

This post is pretty meaningless actually - I’m not sure what I’m arguing

 

[Roddy]

We lost a PF narrowly in '11, and then a GF narrowly the year after. I would rate the level of heartbreak on about a par.

Of course, winning the next 3 flags in a row helped dull the pain a bit!

 

[Murraj1966]

Man being a Saints supporter must require mega resilience

I think GF losses are harder. Losing a PF means you weren’t even slightly good enough. I imagine the 2009 GF would have really stung as you were the best team that year IMO. Losing a GF, particularly in a year where you have played better in the season is horrible.

That said, the hardest GFs are obviously the close ones. Collingwood fans would have hated last year but the neutrals were treated to a great game.

This post is pretty meaningless actually - I’m not sure what I’m arguing

It sure does.

I don't think losing a Prelim always means you weren't good enough, you just stumbled at the wrong hurdle ala Richmond 2018, Geelong 2010 or Port 2002/3

I still feel St Kilda would've been huge chances to win the flag in the 04 or 05 GF's if we got there which makes it burn all the more.

 

[JackFlash]

Losing Grand Finals is always the worst feeling even when you know your'e not the best team in it. I've experienced both as a Catman. West Coast were much better than the Cats in 1992 & 94, but it was still crushing to lose. We were red hot favourites in 2008 and it's still the one game i will never let go of as a supporter, they blew a chance at all time greatness. Losing Preliminary finals is hurtful, but it doesn't compare to being the bridesmaid on Grand Final day.

 

[nahnah]

losing 2007 prelim vs the cats hurt more than the 2011 GF, maybe winning the flag a year before played a part in that

if i had to rank them:

1. 2007 PF
2. 2018 GF
3. 2011 GF
4. 2012 PF
5. 2009 PF


*thankfully i was more interested in playing on my gameboy than watching the 2002/03 GF's

 

[BBC1967]

Have seen six Premierships-two runners up. Definitely losing a GF hurts more compared to PF.

 

[footyfan1978]

Does not matter what final it is, if it is a season, that at one point towards end of season we had the tools to win the premiership to fall short for whatever reason, whether injuries , suspensions , strange team selection or inexplicable loss of form, it hurts because you feel it is a genuine flag chance your club let slip. 1983 we were out in first week, that hurt, Bosustow got suspended a few players were injured that might be back a week later and we were slow to get our season going but towards the end we were fixing up teams at top of ladder in style only to lose form just as quickly as I believed we could go all the way.

Similar 1994 season, thought we had the flag in bag. Certainly head Eagles measure then after flying with great momentum we just lost our way on eve of finals and went out in straight sets. I still felt our best was better than any other team so to be out so early was a shock.

1999 by contrast we in grand final, lost and a month later barely cared and thought it was added bonus getting season to go beyond week one of finals. I genuinely felt we were something like 6th best for season but we end up runners up.

2000 by contrast we get incredible bad run of injuries to guys like Kouta and Silvagni and made prelim final but no chance as a result, So we naturally lost prelim final. but unlike 1999 I genuinely thought we were 50-50 shot at flag if had not lost important guys to injuries. The bad luck hurt.

1986 runners up hurt. My favourite player on crutches at some point in game. We played really bad, So both the injury and poor showing hurt. First grand final I went to so not a great memory.

They all equally hurt whatever week it is if you think your teams best is better than whom went on to win the flag.

So there is no worse feeling of what week it is, least that is how it is for me.

 

[Coach_Required]

Losing the 1982 Grand Final hurt way more than the disappointment of losing the Prelim last year.

Maybe because in 82 I was a fair bit younger, who knows but I've hated Carlton ever since

 

[footyfan1978]

In contrast, that felt soooo ****ing good, especially after Dominator back from two week suspension and one or two others we missed in earlier final.
My favourite grand final win of the five I've seen.

 

[Coach_Required]

In contrast, that felt soooo ******* good, especially after Dominator back from two week suspension and one or two others we missed in earlier final.
My favourite grand final win of the five I've seen.

LOL bastid

Still hurts me ... had my gloating Carlton supporting Uncle giving me shit all afternoon.

 

[captain blood 17]

Grand final. That's what you play for. However, losing any knock out final sucks it must be said.

 

[jjsmitty8]

Losing a preliminary final is worse because of the what ifs.

That exact theory could be applied to losing a Grand Final..

 

[Coaster2012]

Losing a GF, and it ain't even close.

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

LOL bastid

Still hurts me ... had my gloating Carlton supporting Uncle giving me shit all afternoon.

You can say bastard.

 

[joop]

Man being a Saints supporter must require mega resilience

I think GF losses are harder. Losing a PF means you weren’t even slightly good enough. I imagine the 2009 GF would have really stung as you were the best team that year IMO. Losing a GF, particularly in a year where you have played better in the season is horrible.

That said, the hardest GFs are obviously the close ones. Collingwood fans would have hated last year but the neutrals were treated to a great game.

This post is pretty meaningless actually - I’m not sure what I’m arguing

2009 was definitely the one that got away. We were the best side all year, out played them most of the day, led at 3 quarter time and still lost. Not taking anything away from Geelong as they were clearly an unbelievable side but even hearing Roo, Joey, Lenny ect talk and they all say 09 is the one that hurts. It was almost roll reversal in 2010 cause collingwood were clearly the better side but nearly kicked themselves out of it like we did in 09.

 

[dean33]

I think a lot of it depends on situations such as how often your team plays finals, when the last time the team won the flag, who the loss is against and how the team lost the game ( did they choke, never in the game, going in as favourites/underdog or a close fought out game).

Of the losing finals Richmond played in the last 6 years, the Carlton EF final was the one the hurt the most for me. It was the first time Richmond played finals for 12 years, we finished 5th on the ladder and we were playing Carlton who finished 9th were only in it due to Essendon being punished for the doping scandal. It should have been a walk in the park for us and we got to something like a 4-5 goal lead at one point. Carlton rallied and won the game.

While the Prelim final loss against Collingwood was disappointing, it didn't really 'hurt' that much. For me personally it hurt less than all the other Final loses we had in the last 6 years. I think it comes down to winning the flag a year earlier. If we didn't win the flag in 2017 then I think it would be a different story.

Have to agree, the EF loss to Carlton was the worst football experience I’ve had. The PF loss last year was disappointing however winning a flag a year prior cushioned the hurt.

 

[Macpotata]

Would rather make it and lose as opposed to getting knocked off in the prelim. You get to feel the excitement, the possibility of a premiership, enjoy the experience and the great week leading up to it. Of course you're gutted if you get rolled but if you win it the year after there's a great sense of atonement.


GF loss hurts more. But It's worth the pain.

 

[Scotland]

We don't really lose prelims.

2011 was the only time we've lost one under the current final 8 system. Annoying to lose but an away QF/PF double against two much more fancied teams we were pretty rank outsiders to make the GF. 1990 was the only other prelim we've lost against Essendon which was 1st vs 3rd under the weird final 5 system.

2005/6 won home and way against Adelaide, 2015 won home against North, 2018 won home against Melbourne. Also beat Geelong in away prelim in 1991 and Melbourne in a home prelim in 1994 which was the first year of the old final 8 system and the first time we were able to play all home finals.

GFs on the other hand we've won 4 from 7. Lost 91 which I couldn't understand because I was only 7 and we were dominant during the year, lost 05 which was heartbreaking because it was so close, lost 15 which was disappointing because we just never showed up. I'll take losing a prelim over losing a GF because it's wayyyy lighter on the wallet if you attend.

 

[threesixpio]

We don't really lose prelims.

2011 was the only time we've lost one under the current final 8 system. Annoying to lose but an away QF/PF double against two much more fancied teams we were pretty rank outsiders to make the GF. 1990 was the only other prelim we've lost against Essendon which was 1st vs 3rd under the weird final 5 system.

2005/6 won home and way against Adelaide, 2015 won home against North, 2018 won home against Melbourne. Also beat Geelong in away prelim in 1991 and Melbourne in a home prelim in 1994 which was the first year of the old final 8 system and the first time we were able to play all home finals.

GFs on the other hand we've won 4 from 7. Lost 91 which I couldn't understand because I was only 7 and we were dominant during the year, lost 05 which was heartbreaking because it was so close, lost 15 which was disappointing because we just never showed up. I'll take losing a prelim over losing a GF because it's wayyyy lighter on the wallet if you attend.

Sydney in 2005 hey. Made amends soon after

 

[Scotland]

Sydney in 2005 hey. Made amends soon after

Would've been unfair if one team went 2-0 over 2005/6. Unless it was WC which would have been fair and just.