The Greatest Moments of the AFL Decade | Thebigtip

The Decade of the 2000s is finished in the football world, and now we can look back on what was a great ten years.

2000-
24 out of 25 Ain't Bad
The Bombers ripped everyone apart in the 2000 AFL Premiership Season, starting with the first game at then Colonial Stadium, by belting Port Adelaide by a massive 96 points. The Bombers looked to go on undefeated for the entire season, which would've been an amazing beat, but then, the Bulldogs came, and shocked the Bombers, downing them by 11 points. The Bombers looked to take it easy in Round 22, beating second to last Collingwood by 19 points. The Qualifying Final came, and bloody murder appeared for the Roos. North Melbourne were handed a massive 125 point demolishing at the hands of the all conquering bombers. In the Preliminary Final, revenge for 1999 was the main motivating factor as the Bombers played the Blues. The Bombers walked into the Grand Final by defeating the Blues by 45 points. Grand Final day came after the Demons had defeated North Melbourne the week before to advance. Melbourne didn't stand a chance. Led by Norm Smith Medalist James Hird, the Bombers walked over the hapless Dees to win by a massive 60 points.
 

No All-Australian But A Brownlow?
Melbourne Midfielder Shane Woewodin was given no chance when it came to Brownlow Night in 2000, but he somehow walked away with the medal. Polling 24 votes all up, he beat favourites Scott West and Andrew McLeod, with West polling 22 and McLeod polling 20. He became the only Brownlow Medalist in the 2000s to win the Brownlow but not win All-Australian Selection.

2001-
Freo...Oh Dear
The worst of six year old club Fremantle came in the 2001 AFL Premiership Season. The first round made Fremantle's season look good by only losing to last year's Preliminary Finalist Carlton by one point at home. But it was not to be for Dockers' fans. They had to wait 18 more rounds before Fremantle finally got a win in the 2001 Season. The Dockers were a hefty margin down against Hawthorn and looked to be losing a 19th straight game. But a spirited comeback led by Peter Bell brought Fremantle back from the dead and they went on to win by 16 points. Fremantle so far had won one game out of 21 rounds when a miracle came in Round 22. The Dockers played would-be finalists Adelaide at Subiaco and with an outstanding performance, the Dockers shocked the Crows to walk away winners by 37 points. But the offseason trading ruined any chance of a Dockers rebuild with Fremantle stupidly trading away Picks 1, 20 and 36 for Trent Croad (who ended up returning to Hawthorn) and Luke McPharlin. Pick 1 ended up being Luke Hodge, Pick 20 ended up as Daniel Elstone and Pick 36 ended up being Sam Mitchell.

Essen-Stunned
The Bombers were the ones to back again in 2001, but an average pre-season started to hint that the greatness was about to end for the reigning premiers.  Carlton had the wood over Essendon throughout the 2001 Season defeating them twice in Rounds 3 and 18. And Brisbane suddenly rose to the challenge. After a Round 13 demolishing of Hawthorn by 87 points, the Lions were on everyone's radar. They were unbeatable, and they were unbeaten from then until the end of the season, finishing second before going on to win the flag. They met Port Adelaide up at the Gabba in the second qualifying final to score the week off and a home preliminary final. Richmond then defeated Carlton in the semi-finals to advance to play Brisbane for a spot in the 2001 AFL Grand Final. Brisbane killed them. Brisbane had the game won at half time, being up by 38 points at the main break before they then ran away, breaking the heart of Tigers fans. Over in Victoria, Essendon, without Powerhouse Forward Matthew Lloyd, struggled to put Hawthorn away, who defeated Port Adelaide the previous week. Essendon won by 9 points. Now we were ready for a great Grand Final. Brisbane vs Essendon, the two best teams playing on that last Saturday in September. Essendon had a good early lead due to inaccurate kicking from the Lions, leading by 14 points. Brisbane then slammed on six goals to one and had the lead at the final change and ended up walking away as the 2001 Premiers by 24 points.

2002-
Carey Controversy
One of the biggest AFL Controversies to ever unfold. The Wayne Carey-Anthony Stevens cheating issue was the biggest story of the 2002 premiership season. Wayne Carey and Anthony Stevens' wife Kelly were reportedly having an affair and were busted at a party hosted by teammate Glenn Archer. Archer's only involvement in the issue was it being at his house, creating the rivalry between Archer and Carey in further games after Carey left North Melbourne. This has since been resolved, seven years after the incident.

Port's Power...runs out at the wrong time
From 14th to minor premiers in two years, that is a massive achievement. Port Adelaide achieved this task as well as a second pre-season championship by defeating Richmond. But sadly, the birth of the "choking" word began courtesy of Port's finals campaign. Port were heavy favourites heading into a qualifying final against rivals Collingwood at AAMI Stadium. The winner got a home preliminary final. The Power failed at every opportunity and then ended up losing the game by a heartbreaking nine points. Port then defeated a weakened Essendon outfit in the semi-final for the right to face Brisbane up at the Gabba for a spot in the 2002 AFL Grand Final. Brisbane ran the Power out and won to play Collingwood, who defeated Adelaide. Brisbane won the premiership in a nail biter against Collingwood by nine points in which we see Mick Malthouse and Eddie McGuire in tears after the match.

2003-
Groundhog Year
The 2003 AFL Premiership Season basically repeated the 2002 AFL Season, starting with Richmond V Collingwood as the opener, Port losing their first two games and then winning their third, Port finishing minor premiers, a Brisbane vs Collingwood Grand Final, and embarrassingly again, Port choked in the 2003 finals series, losing this time to Sydney in the qualifying final. Port breezed through the home and away season with Collingwood finishing second, Brisbane third and the Swans fourth. Port fans were begging to avoid a repeat of the last season. Sadly, they suffered it again. Port were downed by the Swans at AAMI Stadium again by a close margin. Then for the second year running, Port faced Essendon in the semi-finals and defeated them. Port faced Collingwood at the MCG for a place in the 2003 Grand Final but it was not to be for the Power with the Pies walking over Port in the third term. Brisbane V Collingwood. Again. Collingwood, without champion forward Anthony Rocca, were killed by Brisbane. Brisbane marched on to their third straight flag.

Carey to the Crows

Delight came to the Crows fans as the news had arrived that the Crows had traded Picks 2 and 18 for The King's services. Crows fans were quietly confident of a third premiership to travel to West Lakes. No Premiership Came. Carey had an injury ruined season but still kicked 29 goals. Wayne Carey continued in the 2004 AFL Premiership Season.

2004-
Finally...

Was 2004 the year that Port Adelaide finally won a flag? The signs from Round 1 said "yes." Port Adelaide faced a young Essendon side at AAMI Stadium in the first round of the 2004 AFL Premiership Season. Without Captain Matthew Primus and Midfield gun Josh Francou, the Power made Essendon scream bloody murder as the Power walked over the hapless Bombers. Total destruction is all it was as Port got payback for the opening round in 2000 by running out winners by 96 points. Port then had wins until they lost against Melbourne at the MCG. They then lost their first Showdown since 2000, and copped a flogging from North Melbourne in Round 8. Questions started to be raised. Port then steamed forward, losing only to Brisbane at the Gabba and Essendon in Heritage Round to finish minor premiers for a record third straight year. Port had Geelong at AAMI Stadium. Port walked over Geelong to book a home preliminary final against the winner of the St. Kilda-Sydney clash. The Saints had the led at the first change, and were looking tough and for their first Grand Final berth since 1997. It didn't happen. Deep into the final quarter and time on with scores level at 88 a piece, the 1993 Brownlow Medalist Gavin Wanganeen goaled to put the Power in front. Minutes later, the siren had sounded, the Power were there. On the Saturday, Brisbane had defeated Geelong for a spot in the Grand Final and a chance at their fourth straight flag. Port did damage to the Lions in the first quarter, leading by 15 points at the change. Alistair Lynch, in his final game getting injured and reported. The Lions fought back with a roar in the second quarter to lead by a solitary point at half time. But the third quarter was Port's. The Power ran away and looked to have their first ever AFL Premiership in the bag. The Power took the Premiership, finishing the Lions off by 4 points. Byron Pickett won the Norm Smith Medal, as they celebrated the Premiership for the first time.

Schwab Promises Premiership...But Gets The Wrong End Of The Ladder
Hawthorn Coach Peter Schwab promised a premiership for the Hawks in 2004. This is something that did not work out. Hawthorn struggled throughout the entire 2004 AFL Season and ended up finishing a disappointing fifteenth. By Round 18, Schwab had resigned as Hawthorn coach, leaving Assistant Coach Donald McDonald to take over for the remainder of the season. Hawthorn, after the 2004 AFL Grand Final, appointed Port Adelaide Assistant Coach Alistair Clarkson.

2005-
72 Years Is A Long Time In Football
1933, the last Premiership of the Sydney Swans, came way back when they were South Melbourne, 49 years before they relocated. 1996, the opportunity they had again to win the Premiership was thwarted by North Melbourne. Nine years later, and Sydney don't look any closer than they did a year ago. But a turn around has happened. The 2004 AFL Premiers Port Adelaide are on a flop and struggling. Meanwhile, the West Coast Eagles are on fire. Adelaide finish Minor Premiers after being twelfth in 2004 and anything can happen in a finals series that looks like one to remember. West Coast and Sydney have finished second and third respectively, and face each other in a qualifying final. West Coast win the battle and have earned a home preliminary final. Sydney then face Geelong in what was one of the most memorable finals in AFL History. Geelong up by a few goals. Nick Davis has switched on and has put Sydney in front. Sydney have won in a game breaking pertformance. The Swans now face St. Kilda at the Telstra Dome for a spot in the 2005 AFL Grand Final. West Coast are waiting for the winner after beating Adelaide at Subiaco Oval. Sydney cruised passed the Saints, knocking them out of the finals in revenge of last season's semi-final defeat.
Sydney vs West Coast was booked and was the second ever Non-Victorian Grand Final, following Port Adelaide V Brisbane from the previous year. It was a low scoring affair but it had it all including a miracle mark in the dying seconds. As the commentators famously stated "Leo Barry! You Star!" Sydney had won the premiership by a small margin of four points, their fourth flag and first in 72 years.

Cousins, Cousins and More Cousins.
That's all we heard from 2005. Several different things happened to the former West Coast captain. He won the 2005 Brownlow Medal as captain of West Coast. A short time later he resigned from the post due to off-field indiscretions. This led to the disgrace of one of the greatest footballers in history.