Noted football historian Jack Huthcison’s book “The Premierships a fakewalk” has caused a major stir in the football world.
The book, claims just about every single premiership won in the history of the VFL/AFL all but a few is illegitimate and that the League should consider placing an asterisk on the history books towards to the flags in question.
However, while there are clearly hidden agendas as uncovered in Neds investigative report by Dylan McKenzie…
It certainly has got everyone talking right before the Grand Final on Saturday.
We’ve been lucky enough to have been granted an exclusive extract from “The premierships a Fakewalk” for the Neds blog which focuses in on all of the flags won from when the VFL turned into the AFL back in 1990…
2022 – Geelong*
Just like their flag* back in 2007, Geelong’s opponents the Sydney Swans, especially Lance “Buddy” Franklin didn’t even turn up.
Geelong are the AFL premiers for 2022, beating Sydney to win the grand final by 81 points at the MCG on Saturday in front of 100,024 supporters. #AFL #AFLGF #AFLgrandfinalhttps://t.co/EfB4KEx1AG pic.twitter.com/NZsuCN9o58
— The Age (@theage) September 24, 2022
You have to at least have a contest to take the premiership cup rather than just winning it by default.
The premiership cup should be awarded to Robbie Williams with Delta Goodrem getting the Norm Smith instead.
HOW GOOD IS ROBBIE WILLIAMS!#TelstraPreMatch | #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/gL6j2quxrr
— AFL (@AFL) September 24, 2022
2021 – Melbourne*
The Demons couldn’t even break their 57-year premiership drought at the MCG and couldn’t even win a flag in Australian Eastern Standard Time.
If you aren’t winning flags on the MCG, why are you even bothering?
The drought is OVER!
— Real Footy (AFL) (@agerealfooty) September 25, 2021
Congratulations @melbournefc – 2021 AFL premiers
Melbourne 21.14 (140) d Western Bulldogs 10.6 (66)#AFLGF #AFL #AFLFinals
READ MORE: https://t.co/Ukh34nNaVx pic.twitter.com/H0jLDESMeO
2020 – Richmond*
Reduced season draw, reduced quarters, game played at Gabba, they broke the rules in the hub, the coaches attitude, wouldn’t have won had Dustin Martin not been playing.
Take away the cup and hand the Tigers an asterisk in its place.
2019 – Richmond*
The Tigers were gifted a dream run of games at the MCG by the AFL resulting in a gifted asterisk premiership.
2018 – West Coast*
Dodgy block free-kick that should have been paid, which allowed Dom Sheed to kick that goal.
Dodgy AF.
2017 – Richmond*
In week one of the 2017 finals, Richmond played Geelong AWAY at the MCG and the Crows AWAY at the MCG in the big one.
The AFL loves the MCG and they love giving big Victorian clubs premierships as part of their long-standing tradition of #VICBIAS
2016 – Western Bulldogs*
2016 was the first year of the pre-finals bye, which allowed the 7th placed/injury-depleted Doggies to make a dream run to the club’s second premiership*.
No pre-finals bye, no fairytale Dogs flag.
Not a proper flag according to our research.
2013, 14 & 15 – Hawthorn***
FREE KICK HAWTHORN.
Compromised draft.
“HOME” grand finals as the away team against Sydney and West Coast.
The only threepeat this team has is three asterisks ***
2012 – Sydney*
This premiership is brought to you by COLA – Cost Of Living Allowance.
There’s nothing refreshing about this premiership “victory”
2011 – Geelong*
The only premiership team with an asterisk coach.
That being, Chris Scott.
Just happened to get on the “really good team” bus at the last station and basked in all their glory…that might change on Saturday, but we’d still find a reason to give an asterisk

2010 – Collingwood*
Drawn Grand Final the week before, everyone knows the Saints would have rolled ’em had their been extra time.
Grand Final replays are now scrapped and the Magpies name in the record books as the 2010 Premiership winners should have one of these – *
2009 – Geelong*
Tom Hawkins hit the post but was awarded a goal.
Had the ARC been a thing in 2009, the Saints would be premiers.
2008 – Hawthorn*
How many times did the Hawks deliberately rush a behind in that game?
2007 – Geelong*
The Cats opponents, Port Adelaide didn’t turn up that day.
How can you win a premiership fairly and just without actually having someone to play against?
2006 – West Coast*
When the song says “We’re Flying High” – they meant it.
2005- Sydney*
Give me a C
Give me an O
Give me an L
Give me an A
Wadda you got?
COLA!
BONDI BILLIONAIRES.
2004 – Port Adelaide*
The mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) were forced to play a “home” preliminary final against Geelong at the MCG the week prior.
Therefore resulting in fatigue and allowing the Power to run away with an asterisk flag.
2001, 02, 03 – Brisbane Lions
No asterisk.
Completely legitimate and justified.
The Lions threepeat of 2001-03 was won fairly and squarely.
Greatest team of all time.
This is not up for discussion and has nothing to do with the fact we are still a major sponsor of the Brisbane Lions.

2000 – Essendon*
Everyone knows the AFL, ASADA and all the anti-doping authorities went way to easy on Essendon and their 2000 premiership, despite having nothing to do with what transpired 12 years earlier, it should have been stripped anyway.
1999 – North Melbourne*
Only won because Essendon got done by a point by the Blues in the Prelim the week before.
Carlton only made that Grand Final due to the dodgy Macintyre system.
North was also referred to as “The Kangaroos” back in 1999, making it not even a North Melbourne premiership.
Send that asterisk down to Arden Street.
1997, 1998 – Adelaide*
In the case of 1998, the Macintyre system allowed the 5th placed Crows to get done by the Dees in the first week of the finals, yet go on to win the premiership.
As for 1997, Geelong’s Leigh Colbert clearly took that mark in the 3rd quarter of the semi-final at Football Park.
Had that mark been paid, the Cats would win that match.
Back to back asterisks for Adelaide.
1996 – North Melbourne*
North were known for their off-field antics in the 1990s and quite frankly, somebody should think of the children.

1995 – Carlton*
Brown paper bags + cash + salary cap cheating = asterisk flags.

1994 – West Coast*
Probably should have been beaten by Collingwood in the first week of the 1994 finals and quite frankly, there’s something suss about the Eagles team of the early-mid 1990s.
Better give them an asterisk just to be sure.

1993 – Essendon*
Essendon did get found out for salary cap breaches from 1991-96.
Baby Bombers, more like Asterisk Bombers.
Am I right?
1992 – West Coast*
West Coast was a really strong, fit, high-performance team in 1992.
I still suspect something was dodgy.
Can’t work out what, however, as part of the #VICBIAS agenda – we’re giving the Eagles an asterisk for their first* premiership back in 1992.
1991- Hawthorn*
Grand Final wasn’t even played at the MCG – it was at Waverley.
The final six that was introduced back in 1991 was the worst finals system of all time.
DODGY A.F.
However, any excuse to show Angry and the batmobile…
1990 – Collingwood*
In the first week of the 1990 finals series, Collingwood played out a draw against West Coast, and the AFL rules at the time required that the two teams would face each other in a replay the following week.
This resulted in Essendon having to wait an extra long time to continue on with their finals campaign, killing the Dons momentum.
What a way to start the AFL era by awarding an asterisk flag to Collingwood*, am I right?

NOTABLE MENTIONS…
All premierships won by Carlton, Hawthorn and Essendon in the 1980s*
These were all purchased, cash in paper bags, raiding all the football rich talent around Australia resulting in the same clubs winning the flag every year.
Not fair.
Not legit.
North Melbourne 1975, 77*
The 10-year rule – an original free agency concept, allowed North Melbourne, who were yet to win a premiership at the time, buy all the best players available at the time.
It’s bascially like paying a professional to lose your virginity.
Essendon 1897* & 1924*
Essendon won two flags under a round-robin format and out of all the asterisk premierships, 1897 and 1924 are genuine asterisk flags.
It’s best summed up by footy journo turned historian Tony De Bolfo: