Essendon

[Bloodstained Angel]

Worst ever team to make a Grand Final ?

Sorry to drag up ancient history but Collingwood of 1980 would be the worst in my living memory.

They scraped past Fitzroy by 2 points then got smashed by Richmond in a very lopsided affair.

Others in recent times ? - probably Melbourne of 1988 would go close and Carlton 1999 is also a contender but nothing could compare with the absolute ineptitude of the Balck and Whites that day...

 

[Jaffa]

In 1980 they scraped past Geelong in the Preliminary Final. They were the first team to make the GF from the Elimination Final and performed accordingly. Shithouse. The only reason they made it that far was beause minor premier Geelong couldn't even beat the fifth placed team to make the GF.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Sorry for the error there Jaffa I got my 80 and 81 mixed up a little.

Just on Geelong - was it 80 or 81 that Gary Sidebottom missed the bus ?

Whatever, both finals campaigns by the Cats were ineptitude personified.



[This message has been edited by Bloodstained Angel (edited 30 June 2000).]

 

[kevin sooky]

Of course we musnt forget one of the most lamentable performances in finals campaign history - Sydney 1987. Thrashed by Hawthorn and then thrashed by Melbourne. Never got a sniff. And in a year they were bragging about 200 poitn scores three weeks in a row.

That is what I call pathetic. I am sure Tommy Hafey was slashing HIS throat that night after the 1SF.

As for worst GF performances, they have all been by teams that won thru via the EF. the worst being Melbourne 1988, then Essendon (83pts) 1983 and Collingwood (81 pts) 1980.
Therefore Essendon wins b/c the teams Melbourne and Collingwood played were by far the best in the competition for that year whereas as admitted by Dan24 Essendon and Hawthorn were "equals" in '83 so the GF performance by Essendon was all the more pathetic. Almostas bad as 1990. The lowest score for over qtr of a century in a GF. And in good conditions too.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

I ain't ducking that one Kev - But I was talking about GF appearances.

I'm well aware of our cave-in, and it still rankles with Swans fans even today. I'm sure Tommy Hafey gives a heavy sigh whenever he thinks about it...

 

[Jaffa]

I think the Fitzroy final you're thinking of was the 1981 First Semi where we won by 1 point.

We played Geelong in the Preliminary Final in both 80 and 81 for 4 and 7 point victories respectively.

I'm pretty sure Sidebottom missed the bus in 1981.

Both the 1980 and 1981 teams were nowhere near good enough to play in GF's. Geelong's complete ineptitude was the reason for continued pain that should have been avoided.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

thanks for setting me straight jaffa

Never mind mate at least the 81GF was an absolutely SUPERB game - but cold comfort huh ?

 

[Dan26]

Who is this Angelina Character ?

She just waltzes in here to bigfooty and carrys on as if she owns the place.

Carlton supporters need reminding that they didn't win anything last year. Essendon didn't either (except the McClelland trophy, which is one more trophy than Carlton won), but hopefully, those arrogant Bluebaggers will get a dose of reality in the next 10 weeks.

As for worst Grand Final team, don't confuse worst Grand Final team with worst Grand Final performance. They are diffeent things.

Sooky is right. Essendon were a good team in 1983, but they put in probably the WORST performance in a Grand Final.

While Carlton in 1999, in my opinion were the worst ever team to make it, but they performed OK on the day only going down by 6 goals.

The Carlton team of 1999 was middle of the road at best. 12-10, with a percentage of 100. Can't get any more middle of the roas than that.

The Melbourne 1988 team was short on talent, and was up against one of the greatest teams of all time, but at least they won their way through to the Grand Final fair and square with three wins.

But special mention must go to Fitzroy of 1916. To finish last on the ladder, and get the wooden spoon, then go on to win the Grand Final in a 4 team competiton, reeks of a farce.

Ha ha ha....Big ears, probably thinks they were the years best team !!

 

[Dan26]

Jaffa,

What was so bad about the 1981 Collingwood team ? They spent nearly the whole season on top of the ladder, entering the last round with a 17-4 record.

They lost to Fitzroy in the last round, and forfeited top spot, but still finished 17-5. And they led the Grand Final deep into the third quarter by about 20 points. Surely, you must be confusing them with the 1979 Collingwood team, who was very average.

By the way, did you (or any other Collingwood supporters on here) go to the Queens Birthday match in 1981 at Waverley against Hawthorn ?

92,935 attended that match in 1981 and it was at Waverley!!!! And amazingly, it was before Haethorns supporter base was big. The Hawks had only a tiny following back then.

I'm keen to hear what it was like on that day. 92,935 !!! I still can't believe it every time I see that figure written down .

 

[Jaffa]

The Collingwood team of 1981 is truely one of the great mysteries of VFL football.

They would've been the least talented Collingwood side to get into a GF. Well, that's my opinion anyway. Carlton, Essendon and Geelong were all far more accomplished sides.

It was one of Tommy's greatest achievements as coach to get them into a GF. The following year we went 4-18. If Essendon had've beaten Fitzroy in the Elimination Final they certainly would've taken care of Collingwood the following week.

I didn't attend the Collingwood-Hawthorn match at Waverley. From memory Collingwood were on top and Hawthorn were third at the time. I guess a lot of people had nothing better to do.

 

[dons_r_tops]

1. no
2. no
3. no
4. no
5. Yes Definately and more power to him