Hawthorn of 2008 slotted in about half way down the list at 54, just ahead of Brisbane's 2001 premiership side.
1.) Essendon 2000. This team earnt the right to be called the greatest in VFL-AFL history. A 24-1 record, with a percentage of 163.9 from 25 games, winning three finals by 230 points (identical to Geelong of '07) At no stage did they look like losing, with even their one loss being narrow. The Essendon team of 2000 did everything that you could ask, in order for them to be called the best ever. And if they weren’t the best, what would they needed to have done extra, to earn that accolade? A champion team and 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 112. 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.
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 112 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, D*ck 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 revcord margin, having a percentage for the year over 150%. 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 perfct mix of youth and experience. 21-4, a percentage over 150% and three finals wins by a total of 230 points.
7.) 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.
8.) Melbourne 1955. Marginally behind the 1956 side, this Melbourne side went 17-3, 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.
9.) 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 112.
10.) 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.
11.) 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 last 26 consecutive games, 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.
12.) 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.
13.) Carlton 1979. With a 21-3 record and three narrow, spaced losses, this team didn’t have any 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. Mosquito fleet was rampant.
14.) 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 possibly the greatest side 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 14 out of 112.
15.) 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.
16.) 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17. Carlton 1907 18. Melbourne 1959 19. Hawthorn 1986 20. Essendon 1962 21. Geelong 1937 22. Fitzroy 1913 23. Fitzroy 1899 24. South Melbourne 1933 25. Essendon 1901 26. Geelong 1925 27. Port Adelaide 2004 28. West Coast 1992 29. Richmond 1974 30. Brisbane 2002 31. Fitzroy 1898 32. Carlton 1906 33. Collingwood 1902 34. Essendon 1911 35. South Melbourne 1909 36. South Melbourne 1918 37. Essendon 1984 38. Richmond 1967 39. West Coast 1994 40. North Melbourne 1996 41. Hawthorn 1971 42. Richmond 1932 43. Collingwood 1930 44. Melbourne 1957 45. Melbourne 1964 46. Essendon 1946 47. Geelong 1951 48. Collingwood 1936 49. Geelong 1931 50. Collingwood 1903 51. Carlton 1914 52. Collingwood 1919 53. Carlton 1915 54. Hawthorn 2008 55. Brisbane 2001 56. Richmond 1980 57. Carlton 1981 58. Carlton 1972 59. Essendon 1949 60. Carlton 1982 61. Geelong 1963 62. Hawthorn 1961 63. Hawthorn 1983 64. Carlton 1987 65. Richmond 1934 66. Brisbane 2003 67. Richmond 1969 68. Melbourne 1939 69. St.Kilda 1966 70. Collingwood 1953 71. Carlton 1968 72. Hawthorn 1991 73. Carlton 1947 74. Richmond 1920 75. Essendon 1923 76. Essendon 1942 77. Melbourne 1926 78. Richmond 1973 79. Essendon 1965 80. West Coast 2006 81. Melbourne 1941 82. Fitzroy 1905 83. Fitzroy 1944 84. Carlton 1970 85. Carlton 1938 86. Richmond 1943 87. Collingwood 1935 88. Collingwood 1990 89. Collingwood 1958 90. Essendon 1924 91. Melbourne 1940 92. Hawthorn 1978 93. Essendon 1993 94. North Melbourne 1975 95. Hawthorn 1976 96. North Melbourne 1977 97. Collingwood 1910 98. Essendon 1897 99. Adelaide 1998 100. Fitzroy 1904 101. Fitzroy 1922 102. Adelaide 1997 (like any flag side they were good, but there were many better) 103. Sydney 2005 (workmanlike, needed everything to go right) 104. Essendon 1912 (stole it off South Melbourne) 105. Melbourne 1948 (stole if off Essendon) 106. Carlton 1945 (percentage of only 106% and came from 4th, as war ended.) 107. Footscray 1954 (a modest win-loss record in a very even year) 108. Kangaroos 1999 (Worst defence of the top-10 teams. Percentage of 115%) 109. Richmond 1921 (stole it off Carlton) 110. Collingwood 1917 (war years) 111. Melbourne 1900 (came from 6th and helped by finals system) 112. Fitzroy 1916 (war years. Actually won wooden spoon and flag)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last edited by Dan26; 9 Jan 2009 at 21:31.
