The Greatest AFL team of the last 30 years - Part 4 | Thebigtip

Who is the greatest side of the last thirty years? It's a question that probably cannot be answered but is a much debated topic. Over the next seven weeks I am going to try and answer this question with the help of thebigtip.com.au readers.

As the Premiership favourites Geelong battled it out with wooden spooners West Coast last Saturday at Kardinia Park, let’s see how the cats over the last few years would have fared against the eagles at their peak.

West Coast 1992/94

Bigger, faster stronger sums up Mick Malt house’s eagles.  After their induction to the AFL in 1987 West Australian’s did not have to wait long before hijacking Victorians most prized possession.  Spurred on by the 1991 Grand final loss (and mentally scarred by Angry Anderson’s batmobile) West Coast set the record straight in the 92’ season.  Surprisingly finishing fourth, (only 2 points off top) seemed to go up a gear during the finals series, beating Hawthorn at home by 13points, then earning the week off with a convincing win over Geelong.

In the Grand final West Coast started off slowly but with the advantage of the week off, overcame the attacking Geelong side by 28 points.  This was a closely fought encounter compared to the walk in the park two years later when the Eagles again beat Geelong but this time were never threatened and won by 80 points.

Peter Matera inspired the 92’ victory and was a great player over those years.  Joined by Guy McKenna, Dean Kemp, and inspirational leader John Worsfold all other league players dreaded the trip across the Nullarbor for what was always a tough encounter.  Throw in superstar Glen Jakovich and spearhead Peter Sumich and you know why West Coast were the most formidable side of the mid nineties.

Won the Grand Final by: 1992 28 points vs. Geelong 1994 80 points vs. Geelong

Win/Loss:  1992 15/6/1(draw) (4th) 1994 16/6 (1st)

All-Australians: 1992 - Dean Kemp 1994 – David Hart, Guy McKenna, Peter Matera

Club best & fairest: 1992 – Dean Kemp 1994 – Glen Jakovich

Leading Goalkicker:  Peter Sumich 1992 (82) 1994 (49)

Norm Smith Medallist: 1992 – Peter Matera 1994 – Dean Kemp


Geelong 2007/09

After a round five loss to North Melbourne one of the most talked about players meetings took place at Kardinia Park.  What took place the next week was one of the most dominant displays ever to take place.  A first half 20-2 goal demolition of Richmond was the catalyst for Geelong to break their 44 year Premiership drought.  Nothing epitimised the 2007 season like Geelong’s total domination of the Grand final defeating Port Adelaide by a record 119 points.

Geelong went through the following season only losing 2 games, the only thing is one of those two games was to Hawthorn in the Grand Final.  Redemption was the key word for the 2009 season, Ross Lyon’s St Kilda were the best side all year, but in one of the toughest and closest Grand finals in modern times, the cats triumphed by 12 boys.

When Gary Ablett Snr retired the Geelong faithful thought they had seen the last of the famous surname, but Gary Ablett Jnr has been outstanding in the last few seasons.  Joined by the ruthless Paul Chapman, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Sellwood Geelong have a formidable midfield.  Led by Tom Harley and Matthew Scarlett at fullback, the cats dominated the years of 2007-2009.

Won the Grand Final by: 2007 - 119 points vs. Port Adelaide 2009 – 12 points vs. St Kilda

Win/Loss:  2007 -18/4 (1st) 2009 – 18/4 (2nd)

All-Australians: 2007 – Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn, Matthew Egan, Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Gary Ablett Jnr, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Mark Thompson (Coach). 2009 – Corey Enright, Matthew Scarlett, Joel Sellwood, Paul Chapman, Gary Ablett Jnr, Mark Thompson (Coach)

Club best & fairest: 2007 – Gary Ablett 2009 – Gary Ablett & Corey Enright

Leading Goalkicker:  Cameron Mooney 2007 (55) 2009 (41)

Norm Smith Medallist: 2007 – Steve Johnson 2009 – Paul Champman

Both teams won two Premierships in three years are known for their tough attack on the football and no compromising but who do you think was better.


West Coast 1992/94 or Geelong 2007/09?

Please comment on who you think was the better side, the team with the most reader comments will go through to the semi-final in weeks to come.

Next Week: First Semi-Final Carlton 1995 v Brisbane 2001-03