Instances where the Preliminary Final was the real grand final

[SC_Power]

2007 Geelong V Collingwood Prelim was the best two teams and the real grand final

Great battle and the winner was always going to win the grand final easily.

The other prelim Port got North Melbourne at footy park.

Nothing ever is quite as good as historical revisionism

Port Adelaide record against the top teams was outstanding that season, even beating Collingwood at the G. Clearly the second best team.

But a GF thrashing seems to mean that the season didn’t really matter.

 

[mighty_lions]

Nothing ever is quite as good as historical revisionism

Port Adelaide record against the top teams was outstanding that season, even beating Collingwood at the G. Clearly the second best team.

But a GF thrashing seems to mean that the season didn’t really matter.

no, absolutely not, if it wasnt for cousins tearing a hamstring they would of won that qualifying final, port over achieved and was proven in the grand final getting belted

 

[SC_Power]

no, absolutely not, if it wasnt for cousins tearing a hamstring they would of won that qualifying final, port over achieved and was proven in the grand final getting belted

And that Port Adelaide thrashed West Coast by 15 goals six weeks before finals meant absolutely nothing at all of course.
Understood.

 

[mighty_lions]

And that Port Adelaide thrashed West Coast by 15 goals six weeks before finals meant absolutely nothing at all of course.
Understood.

yeah without cousins and Kerr in that game, what im saying is a full strength west coast side would of been the only real challenger, they had injuries they struggled and left a gap between Geelong and the rest

 

[SC_Power]

yeah without cousins and Kerr in that game, what im saying is a full strength west coast side would of been the only real challenger, they had injuries they struggled and left a gap between Geelong and the rest

But injuries are part of the game, no one says that Port Adelaide was a better team than Brisbane in the early 2000’s because we were playing finals series without Primus, Francou, Wakelin. We say that Port Adelaide choked those finals.

 

[2009premiers]

yeah without cousins and Kerr in that game, what im saying is a full strength west coast side would of been the only real challenger, they had injuries they struggled and left a gap between Geelong and the rest

Agree. The other injury that changed the 2007 finals was Josh Fraser. Had he played in the prelim instead of his replacement Guy Richards/Chris Bryan, the influential game of Brad Ottens likely doesn’t happen and Collingwood wins. However remember that both Anthony Rocca and Nathan Buckley got injured too, so Port would have likely won a grand final if Collingwood made it.

And Collingwood would have lost to West Coast if Judd, Cousins and Kerr were available for the semi. A fully fit WCE team may have gone back to back.

 

[dean33]

Actually one of the prouder losses I've witnessed. I don't know how Tigers fans feel, but that half time lead was built on Geelong literally throwing everything they had at Richmond, who really were team of destiny. I mean we had Ratagoulea in the ruck ffs and Lachie Henderson at FF (Hawkins suspended).


View attachment 2428434

I actually thought we were gone during that 2nd quarter and just had flashbacks to 12mths earlier and that prelim loss. At one stage in the first half cotch got a knock and started hobbling and I just thought "shit it's happening again."
The 2nd half though was superb though and I knew it didn't matter who we played out of the giants or pies, we were gonna be too good.

 

[Captain_Bender]

An advantage set fixture to help make the 4 in the first place. After having already made the 4 the previous two years. In a time where there was officially supposed to be equalisation. There already was a pre finals bye in place that surely will be scrapped soon. The Lions hadn't played finals in 10 years either so thats not something to fluff up.

I never will say Tigers were not a great team or weren't going to win in 2019 regardless.

I claim the AFL gave them advantage not having them play the best away team from the previous year in West Coast at Optus aswell as the MCG. They got theirs handed to them in 2018 away in a year they finished top off their MCG prowess.

I point out having an uninterupted 7 games to ride out the season in 2019 at the MCG after winning all games but one there the previous year is a farce. You cluster their away games in the first 2 thirds of the year and not make them play the hardest non Vic side from the previous year, especially when they only won 1 of their 5 away games in 2018.

I mention this when arrogant Richmond supporters suggest 2018 should of been theirs. Its like hey, in 2017 the one game at the MCG was under 2 goals. No Naitanui. Still had Rance, Cotchin & Nank. 2018 when Tigers were reigning premiers and WC had Naitanui we punished you (@ Optus). Still had Rance, Cotchin & Nank. In 2019 in the one match at the MCG, the 6/7th game to finish out the H & A season, the games decided by a goal. No Naitanui & no Rance, Cotchin & Nank.

Whats the point? Dont talk down our 2018. The results showed without our most influential player we could go the rounds with you. With him you got punished. Is it Richmonds fault Nics knees didn't hold up? Of course not. If the footy Gods didn't strike him down late 2016 though, much stiffer opposision in 2017 than Adelaide & 2019 than GWS is all i say.

Do Richmond supporters think it was fair to get the last 7 games at home in 2019 after their results of the previous 2 years?

Do they believe it would have made more sense for the premiers of 2017 & 2018 to play each other twice in 2019?


AND FINALLY ON TOPIC. The 2018 preliminary final was not the real GF like something out of the 90s. The 2018 GF was epic, more than worthy, in the top echelon of all time & had the greatest and most immortal drop punt ever to be kicked.

West Coast supporters really cling to their one off win against Richmond don't they

 

[Macca180]

Nothing ever is quite as good as historical revisionism

Port Adelaide record against the top teams was outstanding that season, even beating Collingwood at the G. Clearly the second best team.

But a GF thrashing seems to mean that the season didn’t really matter.

Rubbish. The your port glasses off for a second.

geelong and pies was the real grand final

port getting north at footy park was a joke

and the proper prelim and gf proved it.

only a chump can't see that.

worst gf ever

 

[Frank Grimes]

This wasn’t the case at all. It may have been assumed a fait accompli if Richmond got through, but it was very much 50/50 when underdog Collingwood did.

To be honest if Richmond won against Collingwood in the Preliminary final, I wouldn't be confident we would have won the Grand Final against West Coast.

I remember in that season there was a notable drop of form towards the end of the season. In the last 4 or so rounds we were only limping across the line against average opposition when in the early/mid season we would have won very comfortably. Most other people didn't notice it because we had a "W" next to our name.

I didn't go into that final series with much confidence and not overly surprised that Collingwood got over us in the PF.

 

[SC_Power]

Rubbish. The your port glasses off for a second.

geelong and pies was the real grand final

port getting north at footy park was a joke

and the proper prelim and gf proved it.

only a chump can't see that.

worst gf ever

Go back to my posts, it’s not about the GF result which is what we know happened, it’s about who should have been in the GF in the first place.

Geelong clear best team that year. Generational best.
Port Adelaide finished second.
West Coast 3rd.
Who else?
North 4th.
Hawthorn 5th.
Collingwood 6th (your clear 2nd best team)

Against the other 5 teams, leading into the GF, Port Adelaide were 7 wins 2 losses.

If you want to use the GF result to argue who should have been in the GF in the first place, it’s a fairly illogical argument.

 

[Partridge]

Nothing ever is quite as good as historical revisionism

Port Adelaide record against the top teams was outstanding that season, even beating Collingwood at the G. Clearly the second best team.

But a GF thrashing seems to mean that the season didn’t really matter.

I thought I was the only one who remembered that. Seemingly the entire footy world forgot after the Grand final.

Port were also in red hot late season form - beat Hawthorn in Tassie, and Geelong at Geelong (our only loss after Round 5). To say they weren't a worthy 2nd on the ladder is hilariously incorrect.

 

[Dark Eagle 9]

West Coast supporters really cling to their one off win against Richmond don't they

More than likely would have been 2 if the AFL didn't set you up in 2019 while you were finally after majority of the 80s, 90 & 2000s on a good thing. You guys got propped up in 2019 & you know it.

 

[SC_Power]

I thought I was the only one who remembered that. Seemingly the entire footy world forgot after the Grand final.

Port were also in red hot late season form - beat Hawthorn in Tassie, and Geelong at Geelong (our only loss after Round 5). To say they weren't a worthy 2nd on the ladder is hilariously incorrect.

Sorry, what Grand Final was that?

I don’t remember one being held that year…

 

[Captain_Bender]

More than likely would have been 2 if the AFL didn't set you up in 2019 while you were finally after majority of the 80s, 90 & 2000s on a good thing. You guys got propped up in 2019 & you know it.

Only propped up in your mind due to your insecurities over West Coast simply not being that good of a side

 

[Grumpyshades]

More than likely would have been 2 if the AFL didn't set you up in 2019 while you were finally after majority of the 80s, 90 & 2000s on a good thing. You guys got propped up in 2019 & you know it.

how blatantly obvious was it

 

[L_W_P]

The 2009 and 2010 prelims between the Saints & Dogs were clearly the GFs that year.

Saints should be recognized as 3 time premiers.

Worth about as much as Geelong and Ports 1800s flags anyway.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Wheelo suggesting that Hawthorn V Geelong this Friday is the 2025 GF.

View attachment 2427590

Geelong certainly played their Grand Final that week.

 

[Blackhawk42]

In an evil alternative universe the Hawks are behind when the siren goes, and Buddy doesn't hear it when he's 30-out and still passes it to Rioli again in the square, but we lose. Man, imagine if that happened.

This gave me an anxiety pang.