It is a bit that.
I just saw it as we caught the Bulldogs at a low. They were the better team and if they got a run, we wouldn’t be able to stop it. We caught them a month earlier on their low and punished them.
All our finals losses since our last win I felt we were the weaker opponent and deserved to be beaten. Except for of course the North final.
Personally, most losses I move on pretty quickly from. So the ones that I do remember are the ones that are important to me. There are a few close losses that I hated more. And probably won’t forget.
There are ones before 2000 that still annoy the hell out of me. The finals losses to Melbourne and Richmond. The 89 final against the Hawks (for some reason the Geelong loss doesn’t hold the same level of disappointment). The finals loss to Fitzroy. I don’t recall that one live, but I hated watching it every time there was a finals marathon for the next decade. Then there’s the two 1996 finals games against Brisbane and Sydney which dredges up the same level of anger to the 99 prelim loss.
Those 96 & 99 losses were shockers, I am still annoyed about the 99 prelim. Happiest person I knew that day was my best mate, a North supporter. He knew they had the flag wrapped up. I didn’t feel it at the time but in hindsight I see the 90’s as a time we underachieved. We had some outstanding players and to only win one flag during that period was a waste of their talent.
I remember before the first bounce a bunch of swans started to rough up Merrett. Bellchambers was right next to him and did nothing to help, we were cooked before it even began
Joe took a hanger and goal, thought that might fire us up. I think Stewart and Zaka had easy shots at goal that they missed. Then Sydney just destroyed us
That team that was full of experienced players, but had zero fight in them
This final was the only game I attended in 2017. I was amazed at our lack of effort, particularly when it became clear the swans game plan was to go hard at the ball and the man that day. We just rolled over, it was very disappointing. I couldn’t remember much about who actually played that day, so I went back and checked our selected team. On paper it wasn’t the worst team I’d seen us field but we were badly outplayed on the day.
The bomber fans that made the trip did the club proud. Damn, they made some noise. Especially at the start. Especially after we kicked the first goal of the match courtesy of a Daniher hanger.
Honestly, I don’t think the wuss swans fans have heard such noise made at the SCG by the opposition. Shame about the actual match.
I’d say one flag was about right. 1999 was obviously one that got away but 1993 made up for it. I know I’ll get slated for this, but that would be one of the worst premiership teams of all time and we nicked one during a wide open year. About 6 or 7 teams could have easily won that year.
Highlights of the Qualifying Final v Richmond. Hird and Mercuri were fine. Lloyd got suspended for headbutting Gaspar and missed the Prelim v Hawthorn. I remember both Prelim and GF Days in 2001 being hot and windy which didn’t help us.
The same day I pulled my adductor playing footy, went to a birthday party and got punched for some reason I can’t quite remember, and woke up the next morning with a chest infection. And yet I still feel I had a better night than had I been free and watched this whole game.
Had noticed this game was a lot of people’s number 1. It was bad, and I was there in person, but it didn’t leave me feeling like we’re completely helpless like the ones remaining.
Funny thing same thing happened to me after this game,.people I hadn’t seen for 10 years text me to laugh at the loss. I’m still waiting to pay them back..
Some of Essington’s finest hours have been against Melbourne. The ‘bruise free’ match of 2011. The rubbish served up against them in 2014. And of course, this ‘effort.’