Straight Sets

[PerthBoy86]

It's something Adelaide will have to live with for a few seasons to come. My bet is they will plummet next year, they completely sabotaged themselves and it was the most predictable result in finals history. Finishing on top with two home finals and they were never a chance in either game. Wow, what a catastrophe!

I think they'll finish about 7-8th, about in between 24 and this year, but I could see that. This definitely makes me less confident. Maybe just missing finals in 26 and sacking Nicks might be the best result for them though.

 

[Red Bull]

Certainly gives a different perspective on what might have gone wrong on that “camp”.

 

[Altum Volantes]

In terms of finals, smashed in a GF is worse than straight sets.

Losing a home elimination final probably in at number 3.

 

[Tadpole]

View attachment 2425290

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it alright.

 

[cactuscall]

No

The nicest thing a Port Supporter has ever said about the Crows.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Is going out straight sets the most embarrassing thing in football?

Crows supporters coming out of nowhere after 8 years with their poor attitude, insisting in August they're a shoe in for the premiership and then them getting mad, when you point out the observable reality that they're so inexperienced in finals and there's better coached/mentally hardened teams was embarrassing, after they go out in straight sets.

 

[emuboy]

The most embarrassing straight sets exit crown I would award to Williamstown in the VFA in 1957. The Seagulls were a VFA powerhouse of the 1950s and early 1960s, and Williamstown's best ever season was in 1957. The Gulls went undefeated with a 20-0 record and a massive percentage of 184, 5 games and 42 percent clear of second-placed Moorabbin.

So why does the VFA Grand Final of 1957 show that Moorabbin 15.12-102 defeated Port Melbourne 7.20-62? Williamstown managed to lose their first game in the second semi-final, when Moorabbin won 9.16-70 to 10.8-68. And things only got worse in the preliminary final when Port Melbourne - Williamstown's arch-rivals - thrashed the Seagulls 18.12-120 to 6.12-48. Seriously, WTF?

Coburg also managed to go out in straight sets in an undefeated VFA season in 1945, but in the case of the Lions at least their finals losses were narrow, the competition was resuming having been in wartime hiatus from 1942-1944 and there was the constant movement of players in and out of the armed services causing disruption to teams.

Preston in 1990 were not a particularly dominant minor premier, but the Bullants probably should have done better than a 94-point thrashing in the second semi final from Springvale and a 67-point hiding from Williamstown in the preliminary final. This preceded a massive fall by Preston to second last with only 3 wins in 1991.

Two dominant VFA second division teams also deserve a mention. Sunshine headed the ladder with 17-1 in 1969, but were unlucky to have Coburg at 16-2 and Williamstown at 15-3 also with huge percentages, the Lions and Seagulls knocking the Crows out of the finals in straight sets. Oakleigh at 17-1 completely dominated the 1982 season, but the high-scoring Devils were beaten at their own game in shoot-outs in the second semi and preliminary finals and had to watch Northcote and Caulfield contest the grand final they were favored to win.

In the NRL, possibly the most embarrassing straight sets exit was by South Sydney in 1989. Topping the ladder with an impressive 18-3-1 record, the Rabbitohs proved no match for the grand-final bound Balmain Tigers and Canberra Raiders as they crashed out of the finals in straight sets. Things only got worse when Souths fell down to last in 1990 with a disastrous 2-20 season, and they would not make the finals again until 2007.

 

[matthew_s]

There’s a real argument to be had about who had the worse season, Adelaide or West Coast. West Coast at least tasted success once and Adelaide no finals wins.

 

[1970crow]

Is going out straight sets the most embarrassing thing in football?

It’s pretty bad from top 2, nowhere near as bad if it’s 3rd or 4th.

 

[moogerfooger]

I would say losing a grand final by 119 points is probably the most embarrassing thing in football.

 

[Eternal Schism]

Pre finals bye has to be looked at

The opposite. One of the better things that have been introduced. Has resulted in much less predictable results. Teams carrying injuries can be closer to full strength. Removes the disadvantage of a side playing a final off 6 days off.

Teams only have themselves to blame if they can't perform on the day, especially with 2 home finals, week after week. It's a pathetic cop out to blame the bye.

Adelaide were already floundering pre-finals, that match against West Coast was shocking. They were very lucky against what was an out of form Pies.

Rankine out exposed their midfield, instead of 2 guns performing at their best, it left 1 under severe pressure & their journeyman players got exposed as the B-rate plodders they are. Adelaide's midfield is rather weak relative to the other top sides.

Collingwood have a deep midfield as far as talent, was always going to towel up the under strength Crow midfield, it's their defense who had been good all year that got beat, weight of clearances & inside 50s get insurmountable to hold off if they're coming into too often & fast.

Hawthorn, a team with 3 quality defenders had the quality to cover their 3 tall forwards. The midfield again got beaten by the Hawks. Teams don't win getting 20 less inside 50s unless the opposition kick themselves out of it.

 

[Port 2004]

I would say losing a grand final by 119 points is probably the most embarrassing thing in football.

Really? I think winning a wooden spoon and constantly embarrassing yourself as a football club is far worse. A very long list of embarrassing behaviours at Adelaide FC. Not to mention their constant chokes in finals over the duration including 2005 and 2006 when they blew home finals with the double chance.

 

[emuboy]

I would say losing a grand final by 119 points is probably the most embarrassing thing in football.

A minor premier having a huge Grand Final loss would also be highly embarrassing, case in point SANFL team North Adelaide in 1989. The Roosters topped the SANFL that year with an impressive 19-3 record but lost the second-semi final to Port Adelaide. It was however a thrilling, close and high-scoring game, with the second placed Magpies only a game behind in second place. And North Adelaide quickly rebounded with a convincing win over Norwood in the Preliminary, so a close and exciting Grand Final between Port and North Adelaide seemed the likely outcome.

But the premiership decider was hardly close - or exciting - as in fine weather conditions the Magpies held the Roosters to a lamentable 1.8-14 and kicked 15-18-108, thrashing North by 94-points. Someone taking a glance at the score of the 1989 SANFL Grand Final might assume that Port Adelaide were the dominant minor premiers and North an elimination finalist that fluked their way through the finals only to be smashed in the GF, but no, the Roosters were the minor premiers in 1989.

 

[WillHayward]

Dogs have never finished top 4 under Beveridge. They keep re-signing him though.

They believe they can win the whole thing from 9th every year. And the Melbourne media keep enforcing this fantasy because you know, they did it 10 years ago.

 

[RightWingRoo]

Watched the crows live in round 24 and saw this coming. They got belted in the middle by a bottom 3 side and were generally unimpressive.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

I would say losing a grand final by 119 points is probably the most embarrassing thing in football.

That and 13 seasons wasted with a coach who never got them to a grand final that a good percentage of their supporter base call "great".

 

[PCORF]

The most embarrassing straight sets exit crown I would award to Williamstown in the VFA in 1957. The Seagulls were a VFA powerhouse of the 1950s and early 1960s, and Williamstown's best ever season was in 1957. The Gulls went undefeated with a 20-0 record and a massive percentage of 184, 5 games and 42 percent clear of second-placed Moorabbin.

So why does the VFA Grand Final of 1957 show that Moorabbin 15.12-102 defeated Port Melbourne 7.20-62? Williamstown managed to lose their first game in the second semi-final, when Moorabbin won 9.16-70 to 10.8-68. And things only got worse in the preliminary final when Port Melbourne - Williamstown's arch-rivals - thrashed the Seagulls 18.12-120 to 6.12-48. Seriously, WTF?

Coburg also managed to go out in straight sets in an undefeated VFA season in 1945, but in the case of the Lions at least their finals losses were narrow, the competition was resuming having been in wartime hiatus from 1942-1944 and there was the constant movement of players in and out of the armed services causing disruption to teams.

Preston in 1990 were not a particularly dominant minor premier, but the Bullants probably should have done better than a 94-point thrashing in the second semi final from Springvale and a 67-point hiding from Williamstown in the preliminary final. This preceded a massive fall by Preston to second last with only 3 wins in 1991.

Two dominant VFA second division teams also deserve a mention. Sunshine headed the ladder with 17-1 in 1969, but were unlucky to have Coburg at 16-2 and Williamstown at 15-3 also with huge percentages, the Lions and Seagulls knocking the Crows out of the finals in straight sets. Oakleigh at 17-1 completely dominated the 1982 season, but the high-scoring Devils were beaten at their own game in shoot-outs in the second semi and preliminary finals and had to watch Northcote and Caulfield contest the grand final they were favored to win.

In the NRL, possibly the most embarrassing straight sets exit was by South Sydney in 1989. Topping the ladder with an impressive 18-3-1 record, the Rabbitohs proved no match for the grand-final bound Balmain Tigers and Canberra Raiders as they crashed out of the finals in straight sets. Things only got worse when Souths fell down to last in 1990 with a disastrous 2-20 season, and they would not make the finals again until 2007.

Adelaide could have easily gone 23-0 this season and the finals results would have been the same. Out in 2. The last 3 teams to win 20+ have also lost Grand Finals, there is no guarantees.

 

[Scotland]

Winning one game and still managing to lose 22 isn't great, FYI.

 

[Scotland]

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.

 

[PerthBoy86]

In terms of finals, smashed in a GF is worse than straight sets.

Losing a home elimination final probably in at number 3.

Without hindsight I think I'd still take up the buildup/excitement of being in a granny and losing. Unless I was a Swans supporter and it was the 4th smashing in a row.

 

[OniAu]

GF Beltings are worse. Port only had one and thats bought up time and time again.

Swans are far worse off than Port

• 2014: vs Hawthorn - GF loss by 63
• 2016: vs Western Bulldogs - GF loss by 22
• 2022: vs Geelong - GF loss by 81
• 2024: vs Brisbane's - GF loss by 60

Straight sets is redeemable with one finals win

 

[matthew_s]

GF Beltings are worse. Port only had one and thats bought up time and time again.

Port's is only bought up 569590675674690457 times because they refused to move Hinkley on. If they'd moved him on, even years later it wouldn't come up nearly as often.

 

[Freomaniac]

I'd say missing the finals with a percentage of 137 is more so

Dockers losing to dogs could of been bad. 9th spot with 15 wins and 8 defeats

 

[budge27]

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.

You also missed the Hawks in 2016.

 

[JHF1870]

GF Beltings are worse. Port only had one and thats bought up time and time again.

Swans are far worse off than Port

• 2014: vs Hawthorn - GF loss by 63
• 2016: vs Western Bulldogs - GF loss by 22
• 2022: vs Geelong - GF loss by 81
• 2024: vs Brisbane's - GF loss by 60

Straight sets is redeemable with one finals win

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