Foreget 89, 92, 94 & 95 - this is 2007!

[Hondo]

Some people deep down assume that Geelong might fall ever when it counts and they base that on the club's GF losses in 1989, 1992, 1994 and 1995. But it's important to look back on those seasons in perspective before drawing conclusions on this 2007 outfit.

In 1989, Geelong finished the minor round in 3rd place. Geelong lost the Qualifying final to Essendon, then beat Melbourne and Essendon to reach the Grand Final which they lost to favourites Hawthorn by the famous 6 points.

In 1992, in a very tight season Geelong finished minor premier on % ahead of Collingwood and Footscray and 1/2 game ahead of 4th placed West Coast. Geelong beat Footscray and then lost to West Coast at the MCG. They then easily beat Footscray in the Prelim final before losing to West Coast in the GF. West Coast arguably favourites (based on the 2nd Semi final win at the G) in what was Geelong's best chance IMO.

In 1994, Geelong finished the minor round in 3rd place behind West Coast and North Melb. Geelong beat Footscray, Carlton and North (just!) before losing to the minor premier and clear favourite West Coast in the GF.

In 1995, Geelong finished the minor round in 2nd, 4 wins behind the 20-2 Carlton. Geelong beat Footscray and Richmond, before losing to clear favourite Carlton in the GF.

My view is in those earlier seasons, Geelong were (arguably) never favourites in the GF and came up against some power sides in rare form. For the first time since in a long time they are now clearly minor premier and ready to roll. I am not saying they are certainties, just that it's time to forget those GF losses of 12-18 years ago!

[Rik E Boy]

Bravo. I've always stated that in 1994 that we never got the credit we deserved. We had a lot of injuries that year and still managed to defeat the Roos and the Blues who put better sides on the park than we did in September. West Coast were so far ahead of the rest it wasn't funny that year.

However, it is a lot harder for Cats fans to forget about those Grand Finals than merely saying 'forgedaboudit'. We wish we could!

regards,

REB

[ORDoubleBlues]

As far as the past goes, you could probably argue that Geelong came up against one of the greatest sides of all in '89, a virtual state side in '92 and '94 and, at the time, in '95 one of the greatest performing sides in a single season ever but this is now and I don't think there's one player on Geelong's list who was around in '95.
Let's not forget that they were calling for Thompson's head after round 5 and their performance since is very reminiscent of Carlton in '95.

[redden whites]

First Rate post Hondo.....People do forget that there does actually have to be someone lose on grand final day.Excellent wrap up. Its a bit like golfers losing play-offs and being labelled chockers despite holding their nerve for the 4hrs of the last round and going bogey free.If some other guy 3 holes in front of you all day goes out and shoots 6 under ya dont have much control over that; maybe he was just better than you.The Pro golfers always seem to talk about top 10 finishes at the end of the season as a mark of success ( although i am sure they keep a casual eye on the money list as well ). How history would be so much different if we didnt have a finals series eh and just had the ladder at the end of rd 22

[MW]

Hmmmm I'm not convinced, the ghosts of Geelongs past are circling IMO

[Punk Rooster]

Hmmmm I'm not convinced, the ghosts of Geelongs past are circling IMO

Coming from a West Adelaide supporter?

[Rik E Boy]

Hmmmm I'm not convinced, the ghosts of Geelongs past are circling IMO

Fair enough MW. Who do you see amongst Geelong's main opponents who are as good as Hawthorn 89, West Coast 92,94 and Carlton 95?

regards,

REB

[sydney-dog]

the nature of the beast people will only forget if the Cats win the flag in 2007

if they don't, then people will be talking about 89, 92, 94, 95 and 2007

look at WWT in the SANFL, you don't get the monkey of your back until you lift the cup

[Mr66]

In 1994, Geelong finished the minor round in 3rd place behind West Coast and North Melb. Geelong beat Footscray, Carlton and North (just!) before losing to the minor premier and clear favourite West Coast in the GF.

In 1995, Geelong finished the minor round in 2nd, 4 wins behind the 20-2 Carlton. Geelong beat Footscray and Richmond, before losing to clear favourite Carlton in the GF.

My view is in those earlier seasons, Geelong were (arguably) never favourites in the GF and came up against some power sides in rare form. For the first time since in a long time they are now clearly minor premier and ready to roll. I am not saying they are certainties, just that it's time to forget those GF losses of 12-18 years ago!

Finished FOURTH actually(1-WC,2-Carlton,3-North) but your points are valid.
Melbourne is also a bit stiff when it comes to their GF opponents since the 1964 GF.
Hawthorn in 1988 was a bit better than the '89 model(IMO) and we all know about
Essendon in 2000. The Dees couldn't have run into two better teams.

[wal65]

With all the talk about Geelong's record in finals, heres another one

Geelong longest winning sequence (TOP 4)

23 games Rd 12, 1952 - Rd 13, 1953 (PREMIERS 1952)
15 games Rd 6, 2007 - current (???)
14 games Rd 7, 1937 - GF, 1937 (PREMIERS 1937)
12 games Rd 2, 1925 - Rd 13, 1925 (PREMIERS 1925)

Hopefully a sign of things to come

[Booney]

Since the Carlton of 95 were playing outside the rules,should Geelong be given the flag in retrospect?

REB?

[Strawb]

Since the Carlton of 95 were playing outside the rules,should Geelong be given the flag in retrospect?

REB?

Unfortunately the AFL didn't do what the nrl did to the bulldogs and strip them of all premiership points. As a Cats supporter i would rather win the thing fair and square than be handed the premiership because the AFL deems it right to correct a Carlton wrong in breaking the cap. This should be the Cats year and lets hope they do win.

[MW]

Hmmmm I'm not convinced, the ghosts of Geelongs past are circling IMO

Fair enough MW. Who do you see amongst Geelong's main opponents who are as good as Hawthorn 89, West Coast 92,94 and Carlton 95?

regards,

REB

West Coast. Don't let their current form fool you. With or without Kerr, they are the side to beat.

[MW]

Hmmmm I'm not convinced, the ghosts of Geelongs past are circling IMO

Coming from a West Adelaide supporter?

Whats that got to do with the price of eggs in China?

[Magpiespower]

Unfortunately the AFL didn't do what the nrl did to the bulldogs and strip them of all premiership points...

Big difference being the NRL didn't penalise the Dogs retrospectively.

They went from top-of-the ladder to bottom in a week...

[bulldogproud]

Hmmmm I'm not convinced, the ghosts of Geelongs past are circling IMO

Fair enough MW. Who do you see amongst Geelong's main opponents who are as good as Hawthorn 89, West Coast 92,94 and Carlton 95?

regards,

REB

West Coast. Don't let their current form fool you. With or without Kerr, they are the side to beat.

I also think that on their day Sydney could push anyone.