Melbourne in 2021 was one of only two sides in the last decade to win both the minor premiership and flag.
Last year Melbourne achieved something that has become somewhat of a rarity. The Demons won the Aussie Rules double, narrowly finishing top of the ladder ahead of Port Adelaide to clinch the title of minor premiers, before going on to defeat Western Bulldogs in the 2022 grand final to clinch the AFL premiership cup.
Melbourne is one of only two sides in the last decade to do the double, so to speak. Furthermore, only nine teams have won both the minor premiers and premiership titles since 1994, when the AFL finals series was expanded to eight clubs. Inevitably, the success rate of minor premiers also winning the major premiership was reduced significantly.
The added competition in the finals series proved largely influential, limiting the potential chance of AFL grand final victory for the minor premiers, largely due to the added bye week and double-chances being reduced and diluted. Thus, being the best team during the regular season has often counted for little in modern AFL, as the finals series outcomes in recent years would attest.
More often than not over the last three decades, runners-up and even third-placed teams in the regular season ladder have gone on to achieve glory, surpassing the minor premier to win the AFL grand final. Understandably, this can also make attempting predictions rather tricky, as quite literally anything can and does happen once the finals series begins.
Before deciding which teams to back once the finals start, pausing to check team news and form analysis can be helpful. Likewise, getting a comparison of odds and offers from different bookmakers has its merits, which is the aim of the latest guide via the Sports Betting Online team. They focus on researching what each site can provide, publishing unbiased reviews with pros and cons, accompanied by sound advice and opinions.
Prior to Melbourne achieving its memorable double last season, three of the previous minor premiers didn’t even reach the grand final, ultimately finishing third. Few teams will be more acutely aware of such twists and turns than Geelong, which clinched the 2022 minor premiership.
The last time Geelong was minor premier in 2019, albeit by virtue of a better percentage than Brisbane in second and Richmond third, the Cats failed to make the grand final. In the end, Geelong was beaten by Richmond in the preliminary final, the Tigers memorably going on to thrash Greater Western Sydney in the grand final.
Back in 2016 and 2017, Geelong finished second at the end of each regular season campaign, behind Sydney and Adelaide on percentage on each occasion. Geelong couldn’t make the grand final in either of those two years, falling short in the preliminary final both times. However, while both Sydney and Adelaide did make it, neither could land the biggest prize.
Geelong fans will be mindful of these campaigns in their own recent history before getting ahead of themselves following an excellent run through the 2022 season. The Cats will have every reason to feel confident, having enjoyed an 18-win season, including a run of 13 straight wins to finish. Although it may be too soon to assume they will ultimately win the chocolates.
While the Cats are currently the outright favourites with the majority of bookies, Geelong knows that nothing is guaranteed in Australian Rules, and that anything could knock them off short of their ambitions during the finals series. Fox Sports are reporting plenty of confidence in the Cats’ camp, though, albeit without any room for complacency and an awareness they must remain focused.
Whilst footy analysts and experts discuss the merits of this Geelong side, there does appear to be something different about the team this year. The Cats look hungrier than ever; their offensive stats are clinical, and there’s more cutting edge to their play. Maybe, just maybe, the Cats will rise to the top in big finals moments and achieve the rare accomplishment, the McClelland Trophy and the premiership cup.
