The rankings (from best to worst) of the 125 VFL-AFL premiership teams

Remove this Banner Ad

Dan26

Brownlow Medallist
Jan 23, 2000
25,043
20,052
Werribee
AFL Club
Essendon
Other Teams
post count: 38,986
Thanks to everyone for their continued support. This exercise is now in its 20th consecutive year. Two decades!

Time to see where the latest premiership team fits in to to the list. I use my own knowledge from the time of have spent watching football combined with anecdotal, statistical, and written accounts from the early years to rank the 123 premiership teams. I use relativity, taking into account the standard of the competition at the time, so as to not disadvantage teams from the past who were not competing in a national competition, with the resources and professionalism of modern day clubs.

Melbourne won the 2021 premiership. Their 13th premiership. They had

- a 20-4-1 season.
- a percentage from 25 games of 139.41%
- Three finals victories by 33, 83 and 74 points for a percentage during the finals of an incredible 213%
- 1st on the ladder at end of H&A season
- The 3rd best attack (when finals are included)
- The best defence (when finals are included)

This Melbourne team was simply exceptional. I rate them at number 29 out of 125 and the 5th best premiership team of the millennium so far (behind 2000, 2010, 2011, and 2015). I feel we, the public, didn't rate them as high during the season as we otherwise should have based on the Demons recent poor history, but their performance were brilliant and deserving of a high ranking.

This was a team, that, whilst young played with maturity and purpose. They were well drilled with a clear game plan based around hard elite running, aggressive manic ball winning, and superb fitness. Their second halves were exceptional, and one of their traits was running all over teams in the 3rd and 4th quarter of games. They played with belief and confidence. I believe they knew they were the best team all along. Their record against the top teams was great also. They were undefeated against the other top-4 teams at the end of the H&A season, and lost only one game to top top 6 (vs the Bulldogs late in the season). They strangely struggled to beat some of the lower ranked teams, which prevented what would otherwise have been a 19 or 20 win Home and away season, and a what would have clearly been a top-15 ranking had they done this, but these losses count against them marginally. Their record in the finals was astonishing. Three wins by a combined total of 186 points is, I believe the third best aggregate finals winning margins of all time (behind only the 2000 and 2007 premiership teams). They had a solid defence - the best in the league - that seemed to mop up the loose ball all season with routine efficiency. This Melbourne side, I believe, is better than we thought they were, and history in my opinion will judge them strongly.





1.) Essendon 2000. This team earnt the right to be called the greatest in VFL-AFL history with a 24-1 record, a percentage of 163.9 from 25 games, winning three finals by an equal-record combined 230 points with margins of 125, 45 and 60 and a percentage versus the finalists of 160% - 20% higher than any other team in the modern era has managed. At no stage did they look like losing, with even their one loss being narrow, after having 27 more inside 50's, with the Bulldogs having to tactically change the way the sport was played. The Essendon team of 2000 did everything that you could ask, in order for them to be called the best ever. As close to being unbeatable as a team has ever been in VFL-AFL history, with the closest challenge being.....

2.) Collingwood 1929. This team went 19-1 over 20 matches with a percentage of 159.5. They had champions on every line, and were regarded as the greatest combination to have played to that point. The ONLY team to ever be unbeaten in the H&A season. Collingwood fans may label them the best ever VFL-AFL side – I put them at number 2 out of 124. A 62 point loss to Richmond in the finals costs them the number one position on my list. Gordon Coventry was the first to person to kick 100 goals (124) and the Pies completed the treble with Albert Collier winning the Brownlow.

3.) Melbourne 1956. The Dees were at their zenith this year with an 18-2 record and a percentage of 149.4%. Coached by the VFL-AFL coach of the century, Norm Smith and with champion players such as Barassi, Adams, Cordner and Beckwith leading the way, the 1956 Melbourne side was their best side in the most dominant era by one club in VFL-AFL history. A side that could turn it on at will. Many old-timers suggest this was the type of team who could have gone undefeated if they really wanted to.

4.) Hawthorn 1989. The Hawthorn side of ’89 was their best in one of the most powerful eras in history. The Hawks reached their zenith in ’89. They went 21-3, with a percentage of 149.5, had champions everywhere and at their best, were simply unstoppable. I rate them the 4th best of 125 premierships sides. However, unlike Essendon of 2000, or Collingwood of 1929, they didn’t quite have the aura of being totally invincible. Their loss to the Bears holds them back a spot.

5.) Essendon 1950. Tempted to put them higher, but number 5 is fair enough. Here was a team that was near invincible. Just look at their record: 19-1, with a percentage of 159.2. With Coleman at his peak, Dick Reynolds and Hutchison lurking, this was the best Essendon side in their golden era. At the time, many rated this side alongside the 1929 Magpies team as the best of all time.

6.)Geelong 2007. A fantastically dominant team in '07, winning the Grand Final be a record margin, having a percentage for the year over 160% from 25 games. Only great teams can do that. A team, who used skillful, attacking "corridor" midfield play, complimented with a group of players in the mid 20's who have played over 100 games giving them the perfect mix of youth and experience. 21-4, a percentage over 160% and three finals wins by a total of 230 points.

7.) Geelong 2011 A dominant team who didn't have any flat-spots finishing 22-3 with a percentage of 157%. The second oldest premiership side in history meant a wealth of mature bodies and experience. 3 easy finals wins, and a tough defence. More of a long kicking game plan with a defensive edge to it than the flags sides of 2007 and 2009, but perhaps a little less dominant overall than the 2007 side which is ranked one spot higher

8.) Carlton 1908. Carlton’s first golden era produced three great sides, the best of which was the 1908 side. Jack Worrall became the first ever coach, and propelled the Blues to 19-1, with a percentage of 173.7%. Old timers still hold this side as the greatest, and if modern coaching techniques were applied, no doubt they would still be hard to beat in the present day.

9.) Melbourne 1955. Marginally behind the 1956 side, this Melbourne side went 17-3 with a percentage of 150.3%, and showed the makings of a team that would continue to dominate for years to come. The 1955 Melbourne side was heralded as one of the all time greats. A great even spread of talent with no reliance on individuals - a hallmark of the Melbourne teams of this era

10.) Hawthorn 1988. Only behind their ‘89 team due to their inferior defence which conceded 200 points more than the ’89 model. This great team was ruthless, skilled and efficient, and amassed a 21-3 record. Many believe they peaked in ’88, but I believe the Hawks reached their absolute zenith in 1989. Deserve their ranking as the 9th best out of 124.

11.) Collingwood 1927. After losing the Grand Final in 1925 and 1926, this side was ready to peak. They amassed a 17-3 record, with many superstars, proving they could be a champion team and a team of champions. With Coventry kicking 97 goals, and his brother winning the Brownlow, the 1927 side featured the Magpies greats close to their best.

12.) Geelong 1952. Although other teams have amassed superior records, this Geelong side was still one of the greatest in history. They won the premiership in the middle of an unbeaten run that would stretch to 26 consecutive games into the following season, and their attacking, free-flowing style of play became a Geelong tradition. Their 18-2-1 record (140.2%) was a testament to their greatness. Geelong’s best ever side until 2007.

13.) Carlton 1995. This great side had it all - experience, hardness, skill, and a willingness to win. Amassing a 23-2 record with a percentage of 140.6% they played with a professionalism that no club had previously matched. Incredibly, did not lose to a finalist all year. They didn’t quite have the same aura of invincibility as some of the sides in the top 10, but their almost unbeatable record alone ensures them a high ranking.

14.) Carlton 1979. With a 21-3 record and a percentage of 138.9%, and three narrow, spaced losses, this team didn’t have any obvious weaknesses. They nearly blew it in the Grand Final, but their performances through the year were worthy of one of the all time great sides. A rampant mosquito fleet, with a bevy of big name stars all over the field.

15.) Essendon 1985. Sheedy's team peaked to such an extent that they blew away the opposition with a 21-3 record, and were hailed as one of the great sides of all time. With no apparent weaknesses, a top ruckman, onballers, options everywhere in attack, and a solid defence, this side ranks as one of the greats. Their three losses were all substantial which takes a little away from them, but I still rate them at number 15 out of 124.

16.) Collingwood 1928 Slightly behind their 1929, and 1927 sides the '28 side was one of the greats but perhaps not that far ahead of the other contenders that year. Finished with a 17-3-1 record, and a percentage of 132.5%. Right smack-bang in the middle of the Magpies most famous era. Won the Grand Final by 33 points. Gordon Coventry kicked 89 goals.

17.) Melbourne 1960 This Melbourne side amassed a 16-4 record but with the players at their disposal, that record arguably didn’t do them justice. This was a side that could have easily gone through the season losing only one or two games. In their 7th consecutive Grand Final, they kept Collingwood to only 2.2.14.

18.) Essendon 1911 Under the guidance of the first super-coach, Jack Worrall, who previously led the Blues to three consecutive premierships, the Same Old's as they were known at the time amassed a 17-2-1 record with a percentage (including finals) of 173.3%! The two losses were by 3 and 8 points. Unlucky not to be higher.

19.) Melbourne 1959 Another Demons super-side from their golden era. Not talked about in the same breath as 1955, 56, but this side, along with 1960, were at roughly the same level. The team has a 15-4-1 record from 20 games, winning two finals by 44 and 37 points

20.) Carlton 1907 A great side that would become even better one year later. This side topped the ladder with a percentage of 155.7%. Coached by the first VFL coach, the great Jack Worrall, the Carlton 2007 side was one of the greats.

21.) Hawthorn 1986 Just when it seemed the era was coming to and end in 1985, the experienced ruthless Hawks bounced back in 1986 to finish minor-premiers with 18 wins, and crushed Carlton by 42 points in the Grand Final. The difference between a young Jason Dunstall kicking 77 goals from 22 games in 1986, compared to his 132 in 1988 and 138 in 1989, is essentially the difference between the rankings of where those teams sit compared to this one.
________________________________________________________
22. Essendon 1962
23. Geelong 1937
24. Fitzroy 1913
25. Fitzroy 1899
26. South Melbourne 1933
27. Collingwood 2010
28. Hawthorn 2015
29. Melbourne 2021
30. Essendon 1901
31. Geelong 1925
32. Port Adelaide 2004
33. West Coast 1992
34. Richmond 1974
35. Hawthorn 1971
36. Fitzroy 1898
37. Carlton 1906
38. Collingwood 1902
39. South Melbourne 1909
40. South Melbourne 1918
41. Essendon 1984
42. Richmond 1967
43. West Coast 1994
44. North Melbourne 1996
45. Hawthorn 2013
46. Geelong 2009
47. Brisbane 2002
48. Richmond 1932
49. Collingwood 1930
50. Hawthorn 2014
51. Melbourne 1957
52. Melbourne 1964
53. Essendon 1946
54. Geelong 1951
55. Collingwood 1936
56. Geelong 1931
57. Collingwood 1903
58. Carlton 1914
59. Collingwood 1919
60. Carlton 1915
61. Hawthorn 2008
62. Brisbane 2001
63. Richmond 1980
64. Carlton 1981
65. Carlton 1972
66. Essendon 1949
67. Carlton 1982
68. Geelong 1963
69. Hawthorn 1961
70. Hawthorn 1983
71. Carlton 1987
72. Richmond 1934
73. Brisbane 2003
74. Richmond 2020
75. Richmond 1969
76. Melbourne 1939
77. St.Kilda 1966
78. Collingwood 1953
79. Carlton 1968
80. Hawthorn 1991
81. Sydney 2012
82. Richmond 2017
83. Carlton 1947
84. Richmond 2019
85. Richmond 1920
86. Essendon 1923
87. West Coast 2018
88. Essendon 1942
89. Melbourne 1926
90. Richmond 1973
91. Essendon 1965
92. West Coast 2006
93. Melbourne 1941
94. Fitzroy 1905
95. Fitzroy 1944
96. Carlton 1970
97. Carlton 1938
98. Richmond 1943
99. Collingwood 1935
100. Collingwood 1990
101. Collingwood 1958
102. Essendon 1924
103. Melbourne 1940
104. Hawthorn 1978
105. North Melbourne 1975
106. Hawthorn 1976
107. Western Bulldogs 2016
108. North Melbourne 1977
109. Essendon 1993
110. Collingwood 1910
111. Essendon 1897
112. Adelaide 1998
113. Fitzroy 1904
114. Fitzroy 1922
115. Adelaide 1997 (like any flag side they were good, but there were many better)
116. Sydney 2005 (workmanlike, needed everything to go right)
117. Essendon 1912 (stole it off South Melbourne)
118. Melbourne 1948 (stole if off Essendon)
119. Carlton 1945 (percentage of only 106% and came from 4th, as war ended.)
120. Footscray 1954 (a modest win-loss record in a very even year)
121. Kangaroos 1999 (Worst defence of the top-10 teams. Percentage of 115%)
122. Richmond 1921 (stole it off Carlton)
123. Collingwood 1917 (war years)
124. Melbourne 1900 (came from 6th and helped by finals system)
125. Fitzroy 1916 (war years. Won wooden spoon and flag)
 
Would be interested to know your reasoning for having the 2016 Dogs side ranked where you have them Dan26 - a superb Finals campaign must go some way to overriding a (relatively) so-so H&A campaign?

Also, as a Cats fan, what makes the '37 team stand out that they are able to rank #23 on your list?
 

Log in to remove this ad.

I like this list Dan26. You have done a great job. My only query is 1924 and 1897 because both years no Grand Final was played. These years should be either the last 2 or 2 of the last 3 with 1916 because an argument can be made for that year.
 
If you add up the finishing positions of all the teams, you can find out which club has the most dominant premiership teams.

For example: Syd/Sth.Melb - 26 + 39 + 40 + 81 + 116 = 60.4 average.

So who has the most dominant premiership teams?

1. Port Adelaide - average 32.00
2. Geelong - average 33.66
3. Hawthorn - average 52.53
4. Carlton - average 59.43
5. Essendon - average 59.68
6. Melbourne - average 60.23
7. Syd/Sth.Melb - average 60.40
8. Brisbane - average 60.66
9. Collingwood - average 61.66
10. West Coast - average 63.75
11. Richmond - average 74.53
12. Fitzroy - average 78.25
13. St.Kilda - average 77.00
14. Nth.Melb - average 94.5
15. Adelaide - average 113.5
16. West.Bulldogs - average 113.5

So, if you discount Port, because of the small sample size of one VFL/AFL premiership, Geelong have the most dominant premiership sides by quite a margin, followed by Hawthorn.
 
One ''anomaly'' in the list if you could call it that is Carlton in 1995. I always tend to think of them as second behind Essendon 2000 as the most dominant team/seasons I've seen, but I suppose they didnt have the same % as some of those other dominant teams.
 
Would be interested to know your reasoning for having the 2016 Dogs side ranked where you have them Dan26 - a superb Finals campaign must go some way to overriding a (relatively) so-so H&A campaign?

Yes, they had a superb finals campaign, but so did all the teams on the list. All the teams are premiership teams. The Adelaide premiership sides of 1997 and 1998 had superb finals series well.

Also, as a Cats fan, what makes the '37 team stand out that they are able to rank #23 on your list?
Geelong of 1937 was regarded as one of (at the time) the most attractive sides to play the game, and it's a side that draws some fame from the accounts of those who saw them.

This seems be be a trait of Geelong throughout history. They generally produce sides that are fair, are great to watch, and high scoring.
 
I like this list Dan26. You have done a great job. My only query is 1924 and 1897 because both years no Grand Final was played. These years should be either the last 2 or 2 of the last 3 with 1916 because an argument can be made for that year.

It’s always Carlton fans that bring this up as if Essendon chose to change the format those two seasons aha!

Apparently the round robin format in 1924 was suggested by a Carlton official (Reg Hunt) as a way of maximising attendances.

Essendon, effectively assured of the premiership after winning the first two round robin matches, are alleged to have deliberately thrown the final match against Richmond for a pretty sum. They are the only premiership team to lose their final match of the season.

Unsurprisingly the round robin format was dumped and hasn’t been seen since.
 
What makes Geelong 2011 so special? Geelong 2009 is top ten because around 17 of our 22 were either future or previous All Australians
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

If you add up the finishing positions of all the teams, you can find out which club has the most dominant premiership teams.

For example: Syd/Sth.Melb - 26 + 39 + 40 + 81 + 116 = 60.4 average.

So who has the most dominant premiership teams?

1. Port Adelaide - average 32.00
2. Geelong - average 33.66
3. Hawthorn - average 52.53
4. Carlton - average 59.43
5. Essendon - average 59.68
6. Melbourne - average 60.23
7. Syd/Sth.Melb - average 60.40
8. Brisbane - average 60.66
9. Collingwood - average 61.66
10. West Coast - average 63.75
11. Richmond - average 74.53
12. Fitzroy - average 78.25
13. St.Kilda - average 77.00
14. Nth.Melb - average 94.5
15. Adelaide - average 113.5
16. West.Bulldogs - average 113.5

So, if you discount Port, because of the small sample size of one VFL/AFL premiership, Geelong have the most dominant premiership sides by quite a margin, followed by Hawthorn.
what 'finishing positions' are you adding up? surely every flag team finished 1st, not 116th
 
The Collingwood team in 2nd is a good candidate. Arguably threw the game they lost, as it was preferable with that finals system for first to lose, take a week off, and challenge.
Just looked this up, the semi final loser would advance to the GF and the winner to the prelim? What the hell
 
1999? 5th worst premiership ever if you ask me. 2000? Totally different competition by that point, best premiership ever

Just realised 2001 is 62nd as well. So 1999 and 2001 weren't worth squat, but the 2000 premiership in between is the greatest ever against the same field apparently.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top