Opponents that always deliver

[Consolaçao]

After yet another narrow Adelaide loss to Collingwood, I was thinking about how often it seems to have happened over the years.
Going back to 1991, 17 of their 49 games (35%) have been decided by a kick or less. Absolutely phenomenal. To put it in perspective, only one (of 44) Adelaide v Richmond games has been decided by 6 or fewer.
Is there any other combination of teams that so regularly provide nailbiters?

 

[GROTTO]

After yet another narrow Adelaide loss to Collingwood, I was thinking about how often it seems to have happened over the years.
Going back to 1991, 17 of their 49 games (35%) have been decided by a kick or less. Absolutely phenomenal.
Is there any other combination of teams that so regularly provide nailbiters?

Cats vs Hawks.

 

[MF]

Sydney and Essendon games always seem to be close.

 

[Consolaçao]

Cats vs Hawks.

Of course, that’s the other obvious one. 19 of 61 games going back to the 1989 grand final decided by a kick or less.

 

[Ocha905]

7 of the last 10 Sydney and Essendon matches have been decided by 10 points or less.

GWS have 4 wins of 2 or less points over Sydney since 2019.

St Kilda had a run of 5 games in a row with a single digit margin against Gold Coast from 2018-2021.

Not so recent but West Coast and Collingwood have played 6 finals since 2007 with the biggest margin being 20 points.

Geelong and Brisbane have been blowouts since 2007 except for three 1 point finishes.

Recently Port Adelaide and St Kilda's last 2 games have been won by 7 and 1 point/s. Collingwood and Melbourne's last two clashes have also been won by a single digit. Maybe these can build.

Consistently close games between teams are rare.