Best Team in past 15 years...

[FlyingHigh]

that's what i wanted to see peoples thoughts on which team they think is the best, hard to pick especially with the game changing so much

in 2007 nobody was in the same class as geelong that year, when port smash the roos to make it by over 100points and then get done by even more just shows

On that game, I think it would have been a lot closer "Granny" if another side (not the Power) had made it.

They didn't really deserve to get there...

Not bashing on Power, they were about 6 or 7 that year IMO, and not worthy.

That showed by the 119 point scoreline.

Not so sure we were around 6th or 7th mate. We smashed North in the Prelim and finished second at the end of the minor round.You dont just get there without some effort and being consistent. I think Geelong were that far ahead of everyone and the hunger the players / club had to break the 40 odd year drought meant they would have smashed whoever they played that GF day. They were awesome. Perhaps many of our kids weren't ready for the big stage but I doubt anyone in 07 would have got close that day.

To the thread title, Geelong 07 and Brisbane 02 would be my picks.

I reckon Port were a clear second that year, perhaps a third at most if you think Collingwood's 5 point loss somehow makes them better than Port's excellent run home.
I reckon Essendon 2000 just shades our 2007 unit.

regards,

REB

Re Port in 2007, it's the old saying, you can only look after yourselves by keeping on winning.

I reckon Port were about 4th that year, and while you mightn't like it Booney, I reckon they had an pretty incredible run of things going their way:
Two wins in the last few rounds with the last kick of the day.
Collingwood getting done by Adelaide, by a few points with that Wakelin "deliberate" out of bounds in the last few moments.
West Coast self-destructing with their internal problems.
West Coast leading Essendon by around 10 goals at 3/4 time in the last game but letting Essendon get back within 10 points, when, from memory a ten goal or so win would have meant them finishing second on percentage, and hosting Port.
Qualifying final, West Coast turn up the heat in the third quarter, then Cousins hammy goes twang.
That prelim against North Melbourne is one of the least-intense finals games I have seen live or on telly at any level of senior football, including country footy.

Having said all that, I reckon if Collingwood beat Geelong in their prelim, Port would have knocked them off.

[Wedgie]

If you're talking about individual seasons I'd look at percentage.

Essendon 2000 159.10%
Geelong 2007 152.76%

Geelong had some massive wins in 2007 and Essendon are a comfortable 7% in front of the so I'd give it to Essendon.

Essendon won the NAB cup and were dominating from Round 1 where Geelong started off a lot slower.

[The Dark Knight]

Essendon in 2000

It's difficult to argue their case when they lost in 2001 as favourites to a team that then won 3 in a row

In most of these comparisons we don't have a real life match up to help settle the debate. I think in 2001 we have a case that Brisbane 2001-03 > Essendon 2000 despite what the media would have had us believe in 1999-2000 when we apparently had the greatest team ever on our hands.

I think it's hard to rank Carlton 1995 v Brisbane 2001-03 v Geelong 2007-2009. Brisbane didn't dominate the minor rounds to the extent of Carlton 1995 and Geelong 2007 but that could be a reflection on the competitiveness of the comp in those years that produced a stand out side.

I like the saying that you can't compare champions of different eras!

If we're just looking at one year, then yes, Essendon in 2000 deserve to be right up there. However, over their "era" 1999-2001 or 02, then just one flag is an underachievement. I have always thought Essendon should have got parted ways with Sheedy after 2002.

I've gone with the basis of what club in the last 15 years has had the best individual season. They won the flag (by 10 goals), won 24 out of 25 games, Lloyd won the Coleman and Hird won the Norm Smith. It is the most dominant display by an AFL team in the past 15 years.

[Hondo]

I've gone with the basis of what club in the last 15 years has had the best individual season. They won the flag (by 10 goals), won 24 out of 25 games, Lloyd won the Coleman and Hird won the Norm Smith. It is the most dominant display by an AFL team in the past 15 years.

That may say as much about the competition that year as it does about Essendon. However, in terms of dominance over the comp in a single season it was an amazing achievement. It doesn't necessarially make them the best team though.

[jointman]

brisbane for me 3 years in a row....easy the best team!!!!!

[unknown source]

some of you got great memories

[The Dark Knight]

some of you got great memories

We do our homework US.

[westozfalcon]

brisbane for me 3 years in a row....easy the best team!!!!!

Definitely. Three in a row for a non-Victorian side with all the travel involved was a phenomenal achievement.

[CK]

Carlton 95 were pretty handy

Too true, when one of the best teams I can remember.

I'd have to go for the Lions though also, I think thats probably the best team I've ever seen (just shading the Hawks of 83-89)

Yep Carlton 1995 side for me, one of the best defences of ALL TIME.

B: Manton Silvagni Sexton
HB: Christou Dean McKay
C: Koutoufides Ratten Hanna
HF: Rice Spalding Clape
F: Pearce Kernahan Williams
R: Madden Bradley Brown
INT: Camporeale Hogg Whitehead

Tend to agree on this one. Time blurs just how dominant this group was that year. Bearing in mind, they had some cast off from other clubs (Glenn Manton, Brad Pearce, Matt Clape and Dean Rice), a couple of players well and truly in their final days of their best (Madden, Spalding), and a couple of "good, ordinary players" (apologies to Jack Dyer) with Hogg and Whitehead. Just how strong this team was that year was something pretty special to watch, particularly the massive improvement from the "retreads" who were in their first or second years there.

[Dutchy]

Time will show that Carlton and Essendon only secured 1 flag for how good their "team" was.

IMO you have to give it to Brisbane, 4 GF's in a row, to win 3 in a row is an effort we may not see again for decades. Geelong may have some claims if they win this year.

The Brisbane team was so even, there was no weakness teams could target.

[JK]

Time will show that Carlton and Essendon only secured 1 flag for how good their "team" was.

IMO you have to give it to Brisbane, 4 GF's in a row, to win 3 in a row is an effort we may not see again for decades. Geelong may have some claims if they win this year.

The Brisbane team was so even, there was no weakness teams could target.

Have to agree, and in winning the 2001 flag they closed with 16 consecutive wins, including 2 over the reigning premier, and if not for inaccurate kicking they would have made a mess of the Bombers in the 01 Granny.

For me personally they are the greatest Ive ever seen (with the modern Cats, Carlton 95, Bombers 99, Hawks of the 80's not far behind)

[Rik E Boy]

Hawthorn of the 80's were the best unit I have seen (more than 15 years ago obviously). You don't make seven straight grannies by not being able to play the game. The Hawks had size, strength and amazing skill. No asterix next to those premierships unlike a few mentioned in this thread.

regards,

REB

[Booney]

Hawthorn of the 80's were the best unit I have seen (more than 15 years ago obviously). You don't make seven straight grannies by not being able to play the game. The Hawks had size, strength and amazing skill. No asterix next to those premierships unlike a few mentioned in this thread.

regards,

REB

As REB chokes on his bitter 1995 pill.....

[Rik E Boy]

Hawthorn of the 80's were the best unit I have seen (more than 15 years ago obviously). You don't make seven straight grannies by not being able to play the game. The Hawks had size, strength and amazing skill. No asterix next to those premierships unlike a few mentioned in this thread.

regards,

REB

As REB chokes on his bitter 1995 pill.....

LOL. 90 odd points in the last quarter, choke us?

regards,

REB

[Pidge]

Sydney.
Rarely missed the finals.
Never bottomed out.
Always consistent.
3 Grand Finals.
1 Premiership.

[Rik E Boy]

Sydney.
Rarely missed the finals.
Never bottomed out.
Always consistent.
3 Grand Finals.
1 Premiership.

Geelong
Rarely missed the finals.
Never bottomed out.
Always consistent.
4 Grand Finals
2 Premierships.

Brisbane
Rarely missed the finals.
Never bottomed out.
Always consistent.
4 Grand Finals
3 Premierships.

Adelaide
Rarely missed the finals.
Never bottomed out.
Always consistent
2 Grand Finals
2 Premierships

North
Rarely missed the finals.
Never bottomed out.
Always consistent.
3 Grand Finals
2 Premierships

One hit wonders. Brisbane, Adelaide, North and Geelong all ahead.

regards,

REB