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.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
For me I have a soft spot for the pies so winning wouldnt have been quite as enjoyable. Besides the swans have been a bit of a nemesis for the Cats. Without looking I would think they have the most wins V cats at Kardinia park in recent history and the biggest win against them in 2022. KP holds no fears for the swans.
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
Sydney have the best group of U23yo players in the comp, and are still building. It would have been better for them to have lost the Prelim to Collingwood in hindsight. The issue for mine is the midfield isn’t big enough, and the lack of marking forwards/goal kicking spread. Logan McDonald is still a long way off, Hayden McLean is a one-trick pony (in that if he doesn’t mark the ball that’s it) and not very quick, Joel Amartey has a lot of upside but needs to be played every week to see what he’s got (I would trial him down back as a key defender) and Sam Reid has one more season in him if he can actually get his fitness back. I’d play Buddy on a wing/high half forward and have him kick inside 50, hitting guys like Papley, Heeney, Hayward and McDonald lace out. This also takes the pressure off him being the main man forward. The club needs to recruit some taller players with skill and speed and a bit of bulk, especially a marking forward. There are too many small (184cm and under) players on the list. The AFL is a brutally hard competition, and if you’re not improving, you’re going backwards …
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
"who else will stand up when it’s counted" I wouldn't be looking to the veterans for this, but there's plenty of young talent that's still got a couple of years of developing to do to reach their peak. Remember that at the start of the season most pundits had the Swans not being serious contenders until 2023 at the earliest. Reaching the GF this season was a team ahead of schedule really...
brad fooks
Roar Rookie
They can go again but on recent history and how teams have gone post losing a GF by big margins it's simply a trend they need to snap. They have all the makings of going better but who else will stand up when it's counted for and look to go one better
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Next year has too many variables. Can the Swans get their again? I dont subscribe to the beaten badly syndrome. It depends whether the team was on the way up or on the way down when they get beaten. Will richmond improve with the giant pick ups? Will melbourne fight back? it shouldnt take too much for them to get back to the top. Will the pies be able to emulate 2022 and get better and what about Carlton? How will all the changes effect Freo and can Brisbane improve enough to make the last dance. Then there is my Cats. Was that their swan song if you'll excuse the pun? I expect they will still be there abouts in 2023. All questions with no answers. Finally who will be the team that comes from nowhere to surprise everyone? I am expecting a competitive season in 2023.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Oh, you’re almost there! Hint: “ We know they can” is the clue…
brad fooks
Roar Rookie
That's the point can anyone answer this question. We will let the Swans answer it in due course. We know they can but with the likes of Richmond, Melbourne and Brisbane amongst those looking to go one better only can they put this horror GF behind them.
Dave M
Guest
So how does this 'formula' work regards Geelong -- they lost their 2021 Preliminary Final by what was it, 125 to 45 or something? Does it mean Sydney would be able to win next year's Granny if they had lost the Prelim, rather than the GF? Speculative rubbish. As the Collingwood coach so succinctly put it after their PF loss, dealing in what-ifs is a waste of time.
Roger of Sydney
Roar Rookie
GF does not reflect the Swans BAU. Would be keen to see Mclean and McDonald developed but I think we need a muscled up midfielder to replace Kennedy. In the GF and a few times this year have seen the Swans get pushed aside like school boys. De Goey would have been perfect and we have some really good tattoo removal places
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Leaving the GF aside, the Swans did have that - Franklin, Reid and McDonald/McLean/Amartey as talls, plus Heeney (who due to his leap plays much taller than he is), and Papley and Hayward as the crumbers. I would have been OK with Franklin retiring this season, with Reid going one more year. Now the team will have to fit both of them in the forward line while trying to develop McDonald (particularly) and Amartey and McLean quickly enough to take over. I’m not sure Franklin staying on one more year is going to work out for either him or the club.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
“They have what it takes to go again…” And if you’d actually developed this thought, there’s the rest of your article. At the moment all you’ve done is pose a question…
brad fooks
Roar Rookie
I was just stating that it won't be all that easy for Sydney on evidence of years gone by. Especially considering how hard they worked to get there and fail when it mattered. They have what it takes to go again but it will be interesting as to who improves and if they can get there again. I simply stated that losing a GF like this (Adelaide & GWS for example) can leave you scared and in Sydney's experience find it all that more harder to overcome and put those mental scars to bed on the big stage. It's one thing to come close it's another to win but like those around them ultimately winning will be all that much sweeter if they infact do manage to win one soon.
Boo
Guest
Swans won't win a flag until they get 3 - 4 options in forward line .Stengle kicked 4 for Geelong Fritz 6 for Melbourne both teams won flag .They topped off the likes of Hawkins and Ben Brown .Papley is a star but with Buddy struggling Reid not fit too much fell on Papleys shoulders .
Marty Gleason
Roar Guru
Often The Roar replaces the original submitted title.
AV
Roar Rookie
#totally
The Sports Lover
Roar Rookie
Hi brad Can the Swans lift in ‘23? This is a question I’ve been asking myself since half time in the Grand Final. I’m convinced the Swans will find themselves in the Top 6 in 2023 but all bets are off on finishing as Premiers. Lady Luck also plays a role in determining the flag holder. So much has to go right and so much can go wrong. Look at Port Adelaide in 2022. Swans have a good list but they’ll be challenged by teams expected to improve on their 2022 efforts. We’ll know by Round 6 whether they are serious challengers or one of about six teams with an even money chance.
Chris M
Guest
In recent times runners up have not usually been premiers in the next season (I believe the last time was Hawthorn in 2013), and an example is even harder to find when the losing margin in the grand final was considerable. However, it's possible that some year in the future it will occur. Why not in 2023? It depends upon how the Swans' players respond to the defeat, how many current players at both AFL and VFL level show considerable organic upside over the next 12 months, how well the Swans recruit additional assistant coaches and staff through the soft cap as well as new players via the draft, trade and free agency, how healthy the list remains, how deep is the list and how well they adapt their game plan, amongst other things.
Davico
Roar Pro
Considering the headline, Sydney is barely mentioned in the article
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
This feels like the start of an article… …will be keen to read the rest of it…;)