Best Grand Final performance?

[Macpotata]

who was the best side on that day and played the best, that nobody from any other grand final could match it with them? Weighing up their opponents and calibre of opposition they played against, and the brilliance they displayed.

I can't put Geelong of 2007 there despite the margin we won by. I didn't rate Port at all that season and thought they only get there due to the WCE injuries in week 1 of the finals. WCE were 4 goals up when Cousins and Judd went down injured. Those players stay healthy on the park, WCE wins that game hands down. Port fans will argue they beat us in the 2nd last home and away game of that season. We had top spot sewn up, and nursed several players. Port also lost 7 games that year and got second due to WCE's monumental last qtr collapse at home to Essendon in Kevin Sheedy's last game. Missed getting the double chance by percentage. Scott Lucas says hello.

Anyway I'll narrow it down to the three best sides on Grand Final day that I believe them to be in no order.

WCE 1992 vs Geelong. Back then we were the highest scoring side in VFL/AFL history. We were awesome. We led by 28 points at one point in the 2nd quarter. WCE hung in there, something they couldn't do the year before against Hawthorn. They had the mental strength and hunger, couldn't and wouldn't be broken. Two late goals in the 2nd quarter, one a snap from Sumich on half time brought WCE back to just 2 goals down. For all of Geelongs dominance and landing their best punch on the jaw of WCE, the Eagles weren't to be denied. Peter Matera in one of the best grand final performance by an individual player went berserk and finished with 5 goals off the wing. Truly freak performance and left Geelong in tatters. Blitzed us. WCE beat us 3 out of 4 meetings that year, twice in finals and the last 3 times we met and were a great side. Convincing 28 point win in the end with spearhead Sumich nailing 6 goals.



Carlton 1995 - holy shit this is scary. Another great premiership win against Geelong. 1 vs 2 on the last Saturday in September. I thought like many we were a genuine chance. We got belted to the tune of 61 points. Ablett was held goaless by fullback of the century Silvagni. Diesel Williams finished with 5 goals and the norm smith and Kernaz chipped in with 5 and Pearce 4. Star studded Carlton lineup that year and in my opinion the best side throughout the year and on grand final day, and best side in VFL/AFL history. Dean, Madden, Bradley, Kouta, Hanna, Brown, Christou, Ratten, Camporeale, Clape who nailed over 40 goals in his debut season at Carlton coming from WCE. This side was just stacked and dominated everyone. People will point out their 2 successive spankings in a row to Sydney and Saint Kilda that season but many teams copped this including WCE in 1994 twice to the Hawks and even Geelong 2008 to Collingwood. Considering the quality of opposition who I rate the highest like Geelong in 1992 I find this to be the perfect performance on grand final day and the best football I have witnessed.

The trilogy is confirmed. The Cats take the cake yet again for being eclipsed by the best opposition and best team on Grand final day against the best and most admirable, worthy runners up. Hawthorn 2008. Scintillating display against the best opponents. For sheer tenacity, hardness, focus and execution combined with silky skills the Hawks were not going to be denied.

These 3 teams played the best calibre of opposition imo and on the day, produced the best performances I have seen. I think in terms of skill, calibre of players they possessed and execution, it's a toss up for WCE 1992 vs Carlton 1995 for the best teams on that day against supreme opposition. As good as Hawhton played, I don't believe they could have beat either of Carlton 95 or WCE 1992. The hawks were brilliant, but I think we were mentally weak on Grand final day 2008. I also believe as good as we were in 2008, we didn't match anyone with the calibre of a WCE 1992 and Carlton 95.

 

[Sentinel]

who was the best side on that day and played the best, that nobody from any other grand final could match it with them? Weighing up their opponents and calibre of opposition they played against, and the brilliance they displayed.

I can't put Geelong of 2007 there despite the margin we won by. I didn't rate Port at all that season and thought they only get there due to the WCE injuries in week 1 of the finals. WCE were 4 goals up when Cousins and Judd went down injured. Those players stay healthy on the park, WCE wins that game hands down. Port fans will argue they beat us in the 2nd last home and away game of that season. We had top spot sewn up, and nursed several players. Port also lost 7 games that year and got second due to WCE's monumental last qtr collapse at home to Essendon in Kevin Sheedy's last game. Missed getting the double chance by percentage. Scott Lucas says hello.

Anyway I'll narrow it down to the three best sides on Grand Final day that I believe them to be in no order.

WCE 1992 vs Geelong. Back then we were the highest scoring side in VFL/AFL history. We were awesome. We led by 28 points at one point in the 2nd quarter. WCE hung in there, something they couldn't do the year before against Hawthorn. They had the mental strength and hunger, couldn't and wouldn't be broken. Two late goals in the 2nd quarter, one a snap from Sumich on half time brought WCE back to just 2 goals down. For all of Geelongs dominance and landing their best punch on the jaw of WCE, the Eagles weren't to be denied. Peter Matera in one of the best grand final performance by an individual player went berserk and finished with 5 goals off the wing. Truly freak performance and left Geelong in tatters. Blitzed us. WCE beat us 3 out of 4 meetings that year, twice in finals and the last 3 times we met and were a great side. Convincing 28 point win in the end with spearhead Sumich nailing 6 goals.



Carlton 1995 - holy shit this is scary. Another great premiership win against Geelong. 1 vs 2 on the last Saturday in September. I thought like many we were a genuine chance. We got belted to the tune of 61 points. Ablett was held goaless by fullback of the century Silvagni. Diesel Williams finished with 5 goals and the norm smith and Kernaz chipped in with 5 and Pearce 4. Star studded Carlton lineup that year and in my opinion the best side throughout the year and on grand final day, and best side in VFL/AFL history. Dean, Madden, Bradley, Kouta, Hanna, Brown, Christou, Ratten, Camporeale, Clape who nailed over 40 goals in his debut season at Carlton coming from WCE. This side was just stacked and dominated everyone. People will point out their 2 successive spankings in a row to Sydney and Saint Kilda that season but many teams copped this including WCE in 1994 twice to the Hawks and even Geelong 2008 to Collingwood. Considering the quality of opposition who I rate the highest like Geelong in 1992 I find this to be the perfect performance on grand final day and the best football I have witnessed.

The trilogy is confirmed. The Cats take the cake yet again for being eclipsed by the best opposition and best team on Grand final day against the best and most admirable, worthy runners up. Hawthorn 2008. Scintillating display against the best opponents. For sheer tenacity, hardness, focus and execution combined with silky skills the Hawks were not going to be denied.

These 3 teams played the best calibre of opposition imo and on the day, produced the best performances I have seen. I think in terms of skill, calibre of players they possessed and execution, it's a toss up for WCE 1992 vs Carlton 1995 for the best teams on that day against supreme opposition. As good as Hawhton played, I don't believe they could have beat either of Carlton 95 or WCE 1992. The hawks were brilliant, but I think we were mentally weak on Grand final day 2008. I also believe as good as we were in 2008, we didn't match anyone with the calibre of a WCE 1992 and Carlton 95.

Hawthorn 2014 >>> Hawthorn 2008

 

[Franc de Borges]

Hawthorn 2014.

 

[Fourthawn]

The best grand final performances I have seen are Hawthorn 2014 (arguably the best team performance of all time), Geelong 2007, Brisbane 03, Essendon 84, WC 94 and Hawthorn 88/89.
Can't count Carlton in 1995 because of proven salary cap breaches.

 

[dogs105]

West Coast '94

 

[Benny78]

Geelong 2007 by a country mile

But you can't discredit 09 and 11 as well.

I honestly haven't seen any Grand Final performances as good since, but will admit the ones in the earlier millennia could've been better.

 

[Ricky Vaughn]

Geelong 2007 is comfortably on top for me.

I've got Brendon Goddard in 2010 as the best individual performance, just ahead of Simon Black in 2003.

 

[Milanista28]

Another vote for Hawkes 2014, They were sublime. Was that the Bruce "Masterpiece" call in the last few seconds?

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Brisbane 2003
Geelong 2007
Hawthorn 2014

 

[Macpotata]

Cats 2011 how I forgot to mention that. Must be all the beer I've been consuming since the start of, christmas.

 

[The Gov]

Hawks 2014. Sydney were an unbelievable team and they absolutely destroyed them.

Geelong no discredit to them destroyed an unusually weak opponent in Port then won tight contested contests against 2 other great teams in St Kilda and Collingwood. Sydney 2014 were an unstoppable side with stars all over the ground like the Saints and Pies were but the Hawks absolutely demolished them, no contest whatsoever.

Don't think anyone could have beaten Hawthorn that day, strongest team performance I've ever seen.

 

[Shukichi Somiya]

Hawthorn 2014. They were just far too good.

 

[hk89]

who was the best side on that day and played the best, that nobody from any other grand final could match it with them? Weighing up their opponents and calibre of opposition they played against, and the brilliance they displayed.

Couldn't really agree with you having Hawks 2008 here because of the bolded bit.

Was certainly a great underdog performance by that team against one of the best sides of the modern era, who despite what Cat's fans will tell you, probably had their peak side playing in '08/'09. However 2008 Hawks would have got pumped by the Hawthorn that turned up on GF day in 2014. Not just in team matchups , but in single minded purpose. 2014 didn't have buddy, but our bottom 10 players were a lot more impressive in 2014 compared to 2008. The quality of the 2014 outfit is partly what makes such a giant lie of the "easy threepeat" bleatings you regularly hear on bigfooty. Hawthorn made them look easy. Certainly Swans 2014 were not at the level of Geelong 2008, but they were a very very talented list that went in clear favourites only to be brushed aside like roadkill. If Hawthorn 2014 came up against Cats 2008 and Geelong played at the same level as they did that day in 2008, we could have easily seen a 2007 like margin.

 

[Macpotata]

Couldn't really agree with you having Hawks 2008 here because of the bolded bit.

Was certainly a great underdog performance by that team against one of the best sides of the modern era, who despite what Cat's fans will tell you, probably had their peak side playing in '08/'09. However 2008 Hawks would have got pumped by the Hawthorn that turned up on GF day in 2014. Not just in team matchups , but in single minded purpose. 2014 didn't have buddy, but our bottom 10 players were a lot more impressive in 2014 compared to 2008. The quality of the 2014 outfit is partly what makes such a giant lie of the "easy threepeat" bleatings you regularly hear on bigfooty. Hawthorn made them look easy. Certainly Swans 2014 were not at the level of Geelong 2008, but they were a very very talented list that went in clear favourites only to be brushed aside like roadkill. If Hawthorn 2014 came up against Cats 2008 and Geelong played at the same level as they did that day in 2008, we could have easily seen a 2007 like margin.

Good post. However the Hawks of 2008 were as ferocious and battle hardened as any, or at least on par or around the mark with WCE 1992. It's not just about skill and execution, it's about skill, execution and durability and match and mental toughness. The hawks side of 2008 wouldn't let you breathe or play a free flowing game. They were tenacious and relentless not just on the ball but off it too. You can't always execute if you're being stifled and hot under the collar and getting brawled and hunted down like a pack of wolves mauling sheep.

Mental toughness and a never say die attitude can conquer a lot. Plus, the hawks of 2008 had the talent and execution.

 

[gavaniacono]

I dont much like pumping up Blue tyres but 72 was a good one.

Lions 2001 could be mentioned.

 

[Captain_Bender]

I dont much like pumping up Blue tyres but 72 was a good one.

Lions 2001 could be mentioned.

73 was better

 

[JB1975]

In too many Grand Finals, one team just doesn't turn up to play, but it is rarer event when one side just looks like it won't be beaten under any circumstances and no matter what the opposition throw at them. Hawthorn in 2014 stand out the most as a team that would have run through any opposition.

Other mentions:
- More hurtful, Brisbane in 2003 were ominous.
- More joyful, Collingwood in 1990 had an impressive resolve.

 

[liz]

I didn't think the Hawks 2008 side performed especially well. Geelong were the better side around the ground in the first half and probably should have had the game all but won by half-time, had their goal kicking not been so woeful.

I do agree with those nominating the Hawks 2014 performance. I still shake my head at that game sometimes, and wonder why the Swans put up such a poor performance. But there is no doubt the Hawks were awesome that day and it's hard to see how we could have beaten them even if we'd played a whole lot better. They were known more for their skill than their tackling, pressure and toughness that season (as they remain, given they're better than any other team, still, at retaining possession once they have it), but that afternoon they came out like maniacs, threw everything at the Swans physically, and then feasted in the second half with some astonishingly fancy footy. The whole team was just "in a zone" for that game.

 

[citizen-erased]

Lions 02.
For all the talk of Hawks 14 ferocity, the Lions 02 could have withstood that pressure.
The pies turned up to play that day, but the way the Lions absorbed it helped soften the blow of the previous GF for me.
Serious team that Lions outfit.

I cant imagine any team beating that team.
Maybe the Hawks 89 side.

 

[hk89]

Good post. However the Hawks of 2008 were as ferocious and battle hardened as any, or at least on par or around the mark with WCE 1992. It's not just about skill and execution, it's about skill, execution and durability and match and mental toughness. The hawks side of 2008 wouldn't let you breathe or play a free flowing game. They were tenacious and relentless not just on the ball but off it too. You can't always execute if you're being stifled and hot under the collar and getting brawled and hunted down like a pack of wolves mauling sheep.

Mental toughness and a never say die attitude can conquer a lot. Plus, the hawks of 2008 had the talent and execution.

I don't disagree with anything you say, and I love the imagery of wolves mauling sheep, but given your criteria, I still think 2014 Hawks is a better match than 2008 Hawks for what you are after, despite the 2008 team's amazing game day execution to allow perhaps the biggest GF boilover of the millennium so far.

 

[Freomaniac]

2014 stands out as the Swans were the favourites yet was beaten convincingly on the day.

2003 stood out as well as Collingwood were the favourites over the injury riddled Brisbane but Brisbane played a solid 4 quarter game that day too.

 

[hk89]

Lions 02.
For all the talk of Hawks 14 ferocity, the Lions 02 could have withstood that pressure.
The pies turned up to play that day, but the way the Lions absorbed it helped soften the blow of the previous GF for me.
Serious team that Lions outfit.

I cant imagine any team beating that team.

The trouble was, that it is partly hard to imagine because they played a team nobody has rated that highly. Also I think you might not have a very active imagination given Lions only won by 9. This is perhaps harsh on Collingwood, but really, pies had lost 9 H&A games that season, and finished H&A with a % of 109. Brisbane never finished top themselves, but never lost more than 7 games in a season during the 3-peat. Sydney on the other hand finished top in 2014, with only 5 losses and a percentage of 142. Brisbane also came within a kick and half of losing in 2002 against a team that was nowhere near as dominant as Sydney had been. Can't fault Brisbane's list in a head to head comparison with Hawthorn, but in terms of GF day performance I don't think Lions 02 comes close to 2014 Hawthorn because of a) the opposition and b) the margin. Lions 03 perhaps a better comparison - Pies were better that year.

 

[citizen-erased]

The trouble was, that it is partly hard to imagine because they played a team nobody has rated that highly. Also I think you might not have a very active imagination given Lions only won by 9. This is perhaps harsh on Collingwood, but really, pies had lost 9 H&A games that season, and finished H&A with a % of 109. Brisbane never finished top themselves, but never lost more than 7 games in a season during the 3-peat. Sydney on the other hand finished top in 2014, with only 5 losses and a percentage of 142. Brisbane also came within a kick and half of losing in 2002 against a team that was nowhere near as dominant as Sydney had been. Can't fault Brisbane's list in a head to head comparison with Hawthorn, but in terms of GF day performance I don't think Lions 02 comes close to 2014 Hawthorn because of a) the opposition and b) the margin. Lions 03 perhaps a better comparison - Pies were better that year.

I think that undersells the Pies efforts through that finals series
Beat a strong Port side in SA and took it up to the Lions in the GF

Swans were rattled early by the Hawks of 2014 and petered out early.
If i was to rank GF performances on 1st quarters alone, it would probably be the Hawks of 15.
If i was ranking the winner without any consideration to their opponents response, probably the Cats of 07.

I give extra credit to a side that went 4 quarters with their opponent (on their opponents home ground no less)

 

[PowerForGood]

I know the OP has the right to an opinion of course, but historical revisionism on Port Adelaide on their 2007 based on their pitiful GF performance cant go unanswered without facts.

Geelong did play a full strength side in that final round of 2007 when Port won at KP.
Port only trailed WC by 5 points at half time in that QF.
And beaten them by 91 points earlier in the season. Clearly a better team.
We were ahead of WC on the ladder BEFORE Scott Lucas went beserk in that WC game. Sorry to burst the bubble.
In fact, against other top 6 teams that year Port Adelaide were 7 wins and ONE loss before that GF. (Edit: might have to check, it could have been two losses).
Deserved that GF spot. And got murdered.

 

[hk89]

I think that undersells the Pies efforts through that finals series
Beat a strong Port side in SA and took it up to the Lions in the GF

Swans were rattled early by the Hawks of 2014 and petered out early.
If i was to rank GF performances on 1st quarters alone, it would probably be the Hawks of 15.
If i was ranking the winner without any consideration to their opponents response, probably the Cats of 07.

I give extra credit to a side that went 4 quarters with their opponent (on their opponents home ground no less)

No denying that Pies had a good finals series, beating the team that finished top at AAMI was an amazing win. However in terms of their entire season, they were not just 4th after H&A, they were a full 2 games and percentage away from 3rd, and 5 wins and percentage off first. Their gap to third was the same size as their gap to 10th. Brisbane had been a considerably more dominant side all year and so I have trouble giving Brisbane too many points for beating a team by 9 points that had lost 9 games during the year. I'd have had much less problem with you suggestion Lions 03 because Pies were a tougher proposition that year, having beaten Pies in the qualifying , and then beating (actually smashing) the top placed Port again in their path to the GF.

Personally I think you might be getting carried away with you assessment because of how good the Brisbane team itself was, rather than how dominant their GF day performances were. If anything I think they underperformed on GF day (and they allowed Pies to over perform) when you look at the list they took into each GF. When you have 3 brownlow medalists in your side, you shouldn't be getting into close games against sides the likes of Pies 02/03, so I can't agree with your assessment. I think Brisbane does deserve extra credit for travelling, but not enough to make up for the lack of dominance on GF day.