2002 and 2003 to be exact. Both years we recovered to 18 - 4 and then lost the first final both times. Not exactly a great point of reference but I applaud your attempt at positivity!
Definitely. Leave that to the media. They were the ones who decided we were finals chokers as we had lost 3 on the trot; 1(1999) away to the eventual premier with Wayne Carey, 2(2001) away to the eventual premier who had Voss, Black, Lappin, Leppitsch etc. in their prime and 3(2001) at home to the Hawks who while we should have beaten them are a finals-hardened team.
Footy since the end of Feb has been depressing.
We've barely had anything to be excited about except for the last two SANFL matches.
I'd love to see us actually look like scoring more than 14 goals tonight. The last two weeks, every goal has come after a ridiculous amount of hard work. Nothing easy from the centre square, almost no goals from forward stoppages or crumbling packs.
It's been depressing how impotent our forward work has been.