Cue the Seinfeld theme, “What is the deal with Collingwood and Brisbane? I mean, come on..”<\/p>\n
And now, for the hot-take<\/p>\n
The two grand finalists, fresh off one of the best grand finals in recent memory, are a combined 0-5.<\/p>\n
Why?<\/p>\n
Conventional wisdom, and the Channel 7 broadcast on Thursday night just before it becoming an impromptu Press Red for Ed game, says that the Pies\u2019 bellies are full after that first premiership.<\/p>\n
When it did become a Press Red for Ed broadcast, the reason the Pies were no good was because they had a shorter preseason than everyone else.<\/p>\n
Brisbane, on the other hand, has got a case of the losing grand finalist hangover, in addition to the shorter preseason issue which they get less of the benefit of the doubt on.<\/p>\n
While neither team is playing terribly well, both well down in scoring, defending, rating points, and virtually everything else, I don\u2019t think that either narrative is true.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s first dispense with the shorter preseason narrative.<\/p>\n
Football has always housed dynasties, I was born in 1996 so let\u2019s start there.<\/p>\n
North won two in four years and made a Grand Final.<\/p>\n
Sandwiched between the North premierships were two Adelaide wins.<\/p>\n
Then Brisbane won three straight.<\/p>\n
Then West Coast and Sydney contested two straight Grand Finals.<\/p>\n
Then Geelong won three in five years and made four Grand Finals in six years.<\/p>\n
Then Hawthorn made four straight Grand Finals while Sydney made three Grand Finals in five years.<\/p>\n
Then Richmond won three out of four.<\/p>\n
Why is this the first time in living memory that the short preseason has been an issue?<\/p>\n
But now let\u2019s look at the two teams.<\/p>\n
First, because they\u2019re always first, Collingwood. Collingwood doesn\u2019t look like a team who have full bellies.<\/p>\n
In the second quarter against St Kilda on Thursday night, they got themselves back into the game on the back of sheer desperation.<\/p>\n
McReery and Mciness specifically fashioned goals for themselves and others purely because of effort, and they got themselves in front, kicking 4 in a row for probably their best period of the night.<\/p>\n
\nREEF AS HE FALLS TO THE GROUND!<\/p>\n
Second goal of the night for our number 26. pic.twitter.com\/BGTEA7GXFq<\/a><\/p>\n
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) March 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n