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Opinion
Geelong won the grand final with an utterly dominant display of football, just like Melbourne, Richmond and Hawthorn before then.
They got all facets of their game going at the right time and made being part of that side a breeze.
We’ve seen in the past – say, in the 1970s and 80s – that it was common for teams that unfortunately lost in any particular year to brush themselves off. In many cases it was made somewhat easier by previous success, like Hawthorn or Carlton, who lost in a particular year but bounced back the following season to win.
In some cases losing could spell the end of an era for some teams, like Brisbane in 2004 and Port Adelaide in 2007. But losing a grand final can also send shockwaves through a club that are hard to recover from.
Not since Hawthorn in 2013 has a team made the grand final the year after losing, and before that it was St Kilda in 2010 and Geelong in 2009. Sydney made it in 2014 and 2016. Collingwood almost made it in 2019 after losing in 2018.
Most teams have been strong enough to make finals the season after losing the grand final, but having what it takes to take all before them and win the ultimate prize they came close to has rarely been how the story ends.
Fremantle and Sydney had straight-sets exits after falling to Hawthorn the year before. West Coast lost in an elimination final to the Western Bulldogs, who went on to win the flag in 2016.
Backing up after a loss these days can be half the problem. Having a steely resolve to go one further and be the best on the day can be difficult to achieve, but it’s all the sweeter once you do finally win it.
Like Melbourne and Richmond, who fell short a few times in the years preceding their triumphs, so to did Geelong flail for a time before dominating the grand final this season. It is just reward for the hard work shown over the years.
Not everyone gets to taste it – St Kilda know about getting close, as do Collingwood – but those who do will understand that sweet smell of success for everyone at the club.
Where this loss leaves Sydney is hard to know. Another finals series maybe? Is it their turn after so many heartbreaking losses to finally taste success, just like Geelong and others before them? We shall find out, for only time will tell.
Or will another team pop up from the pack and play a blinder of a finals series to deny other the glory?
A new season awaits.
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