NewsBite

Has the past 60 years been a success or failure for Collingwood and Geelong?

An analysis of the past 60 years suggest Collingwood and Geelong have been consistently successful but ultimate failures. Jon Anderson reveals how this is possible.

A dejected Nathan Buckley after Collingwood’s loss in the 2018 Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images
A dejected Nathan Buckley after Collingwood’s loss in the 2018 Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

It comes down to an individual’s estimation of success to determine if Collingwood and Geelong have been spectacular winners or remarkable losers over the past 60 years.

“Winners” given they have combined for a remarkable 53 top-four finishes in the period from 1960-2019, and losers when you consider those finals appearances have resulted in just six premierships.

Watch every match of the Marsh Community Series AFL pre-season comp LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Then there is the conventional AFL supporter “wisdom” that suggests winning is everything, meaning the Magpies and Cats sadly fit into the loser category despite their ability to continually contend, while a team such as the Western Bulldogs have regularly struggled to go deep into September.

In stark contrast to Collingwood and Geelong are the high-flying Hawks.

Hawthorn had just one finals appearance in its first 35 years before building an imposing record that sees the club on average play in a Grand Final every third year.

Collingwood's 2010 premiership is just one of two from 14 Grand Finals.
Collingwood's 2010 premiership is just one of two from 14 Grand Finals.

It’s no wonder so many of their supporters enter season after season expecting and demanding success, rather than hoping for it.

The Hawks boast 19 Grand Finals for 13 wins since 1960.

The Pies have just two trophies from 14 GFs in the same time-span.

For Collingwood the pain was at its worst in the 1964-81 period, although six Grand Finals (including one draw) for just one premiership in the 2000s suggests the life of a Magpie supporter remains an interesting one.

Luke Hodge shows off Hawthorn’s premiership three-peat. Picture: Michael Klein
Luke Hodge shows off Hawthorn’s premiership three-peat. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong on the other hand has become the master of making preliminary finals without going on, including four from the last seven years.

It comes down to whether you want your team to consistently make the finals without often winning, or not get there at all.

The former at least prolongs hope, and in the case of Collingwood and Geelong serious credit should be given for consistently putting themselves in the picture.

Top 4 finals records of VFL/AFL teams (1960-2019)

CLUBFlags2nd3rd4th
Brisbane/Fitzroy3133
Carlton8643
Collingwood21258
Essendon6433
Geelong46115
Hawthorn13641
Melbourne2237
North Melbourne4456
Richmond7242
St Kilda1546
Sydney/South Melbourne2414
Western Bulldogs1151

Originally published as Has the past 60 years been a success or failure for Collingwood and Geelong?

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/has-the-past-60-years-been-a-success-or-failure-for-collingwood-and-geelong/news-story/3438f7157dfeccfa05d15277cf062744