mal wrote:Again luck paves a way for AC in finals
Mal, you are being sensationalistic about those past finals series.
In 2005 Adelaide finished top and lost their first final. That meant they gave up their right to a home prelim final. Port did the same in 02 and 03. Other teams then stepped in to take up the opportunity that was given up. If that's luck, so be it. I've never whinged about how hard done by we were in 05 because I know we blew it when we had our chance.
In both 1993 and 1997 higher ranked teams lost their first final (NM in 93, Geelong in 97) and the Crows were next in line to take the opportunity. In 03, Brisbane got a home prelim thanks to Port losing in week 1. Do you think the 03 Lions were lucky?
In 1998, it was the old final 8 system where the 5th ranked team (us) had to travel and play the 4th team first up. Compare that to Friday night where we played the 8th team at home. Under the old system, every 5th ranked team that lost first up got a second chance. You had to be extremely unlucky to not get a second chance. It would only happen if 2 of the top 3 teams also lost on the first weekend. We then had to Sydney, Melbourne and Melbourme to win the premiership. We didn't play a single final at home. That's hardly laying it out on a silver platter for us.
If the footy gods were smiling on us then they paid us back with all those injuries late in 05 and 06. That's the way footy goes.
