A controversial new book has brought into question the legitimacy of the dynasties and premierships won by some of the most famous clubs in the AFL.
Titled “Oh the Premierships a Fakewalk” written by famed historian Jack Hutchison has mounted an argument that just about every premiership won in the history of the league should have an asterisk placed on them.
Hutchison’s book takes particular aim at Collingwood, pointing out that the Magpies haven’t won a Grand Final on the last Saturday in September since 1958 and premierships won outside of that time frame should have an asterisk placed on them.
Along with the sensational claims on October premierships, “Oh the Premierships a Fakewalk” has shone a light on the Magpies being the only club to have won four premierships in a row in the history of the VFL/AFL from 1927 – 1930 thanks to the Argus finals system, which allowed for teams to challenge for the premiership.
The Pies team that lost but got to challenge for the Grand Final back in 1929.
Speaking to Neds chief investigative reporter, Dylan McKenzie, Mr Hutchison told Neds “So back then we used the argus finals system, which essentially means if you were the minor premiers for the year, you had the right to challenge if you lost in the Semi or even the Preliminary/Grand finals. You could ask for a rematch. Simple is that”
The proof is in the pudding, with Collingwood losing its semi-final against Richmond in 1929 but opting to challenge for a Grand Final, making the Tigers play Carlton in a Prelim for the honor of playing the Magpies despite losing.
Mr Hutchison went on further to add “…then they did it again in their fourth final in 1930, they actually lost to Geelong in what was meant to be the Grand Final, but said hold it back guys, we’ll have another kick and go on to win their fourth straight.”
At the time Collingwood was known as the machine and Magpies legend Tony Shaw lashed out at the claims made in the book.
“You play to the rules of the day, and if you don’t play to the rules of the day the other way to win is to probably cheat, and that’s why we (Collingwood) had four in a row. Never to be done, hasn’t been done ever again in the history of the game.”
In response to the book’s claims that the Magpies’ premierships in question should have asterisks placed on them, Mr Shaw went on to say “Is this bloke for real?”
Meanwhile, Neds investigative reporter Dylan McKenzie in his own research has uncovered more shonky premierships that “The Premierships a Fakewalk” has not.
Back in 1924, the VFL scrapped the finals for a round-robin system where percentages would be the factor in who would be awarded the flag.
The system was shambolic, with fourth-placed Richmond defeating second-placed South Melbourne in the semi-final, losing to Fitzroy the following week, and then being made to play Essendon and having to win by 40+ points for the right to challenge the Bombers in the Grand Final.
The Tigers would beat the Same Olds (as they were known then) by 20 points, resulting in Essendon winning the flag that season.
When questioned about the legitimacy of the 1924 premiership, Mr Hutchison claimed it was “probably the most legitimate premiership of them all.”
Dustin Fletcher’s footy card from 1924.
Games record holder for Essendon, Dustin Fletcher, was in his second season back in 1924 and wouldn’t confirm nor deny if the Dons won a flag without playing in a Grand Final when interviewed by Neds own Dylan McKenzie
“It was a big win by the Bombers, obviously, it’s our reunion coming up…it was my second year. Unbelievable year that was. I tell ya.”
In a tense and fiery interview, when probed further about the 1924 flag, Mr Fletcher stormed off the set in some of the most memorable television produced in decades.
Sales of the book are through the roof, and more ex-players and officials such as Richmond team of the century member Dale “The Flea” Weightman and 2001 Brownlow Medalist Jason Akermanis have spoken out about wronged premierships their respective clubs have been alleged denied.
AFL House has refused to comment directly if they will be following up on placing retrospective asterisks on the premierships in question, however, released a statement saying “The League would never make an ad hoc decision or change a rule on a whim just because it might make us look bad.”
The full story on “The Premierships a Fakewalk” is available on the Neds YouTube channel.
This short film is a mockumentary and is for entertainment purposes only. Some parts of the story (including references to AFL House) and characters portrayed in this production are fictitious.