Straight Sets

[Wojcinski]

Competition is definitely more even at the top now.

We went out in straight sets in 2007. Kerr out and Cousins injured in the QF, Judd on one leg. Then all 3 missing for the semi. Lost by 3 in the QF then in extra time in the semi. Back then it was a rarity. There was an expectation that if you made the top 4 you made the prelim. 2005, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2018 under the current system we made at least a prelim from the top 4 each time. Every year people would talk up the winning Elimination Finalists and every year the losers from the QFs would win easily.

Crows 2025
Lions 2019, 2021
Freo 2014
Geelong 2014
GWS 2024
Hawthorn 2018
Melbourne 2022, 2023
Port 2001, 2023
Sydney 2015
WC 2007

Two in the 2000s, 5 in the 2010s, 6 in the 2020s and we're only halfway.

missing Hawthorn 2016

 

[OniAu]

Id argue that a loss is a loss. The only thing that matters is the premiership.

St Kilda lost honorably but still lost so in the end literally noone cares. Not Saints, not anyone else

Argue it. I agree a loss is a loss. But a belting in a GF is soul destroying for clubs. Lets not say its otherwise anything else. Until you redeem it , its lingering. Just like Collingwoods choke in 2018 , that 2023 flag glosses over that

 

[JHF1870]

Argue it. I agree a loss is a loss. But a belting in a GF is soul destroying for clubs. Lets not say its otherwise anything else. Until you redeem it , its lingering. Just like Collingwoods choke in 2018 , that 2023 flag glosses over that

Most people born after 1994 probably wouldnt even think about it.

For me I care about now.

 

[Freomaniac]

Competition is definitely more even at the top now.

We went out in straight sets in 2007. Kerr out and Cousins injured in the QF, Judd on one leg. Then all 3 missing for the semi. Lost by 3 in the QF then in extra time in the semi. Back then it was a rarity. There was an expectation that if you made the top 4 you made the prelim. 2005, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2018 under the current system we made at least a prelim from the top 4 each time. Every year people would talk up the winning Elimination Finalists and every year the losers from the QFs would win easily.

Crows 2025
Lions 2019, 2021
Freo 2014
Geelong 2014
GWS 2024
Hawthorn 2018
Melbourne 2022, 2023
Port 2001, 2023
Sydney 2015
WC 2007

Two in the 2000s, 5 in the 2010s, 6 in the 2020s and we're only halfway.

Looking at some of those sides that went out in straight sets.

Some of them went out in straight sets as key players were injured.

Dockers in 2014 had Ballantyne and McPharlin out injured.

Eagles in 2007, as you said, midfielders of Judd, Cousins and Kerr injured.

Demons won the flag in 2021 mainly because they had a fully fit squad and had excellent form leading into that finals series.

Yet they went out in straight sets in 2022 and 2023 due having poor form before the finals series mainly because of injuries.

 

[Billy ray]

is the fixture constructed based on end of home and away season ladder position or after finals?
ie are adelaide treated as 1 or 5/6?
and is gold coast treated as 7 or 5/6?