by Samantha Field
This past weekend we found our two grand finalists for the AFL 2021 season. Throughout the year many had hoped it would be the two dominators, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs, who would come up against each other and there’s not much more to say on this matchup except that it should be a cracker. However, as with every year, two have come agonisingly close to getting a shot at the premiership. This year those two are Geelong and Port Adelaide, both of whom are no strangers to this disappointment.
Year after year Geelong have been dominate in the minor season, and year after year they fail to deliver come finals. They have made the finals every year but one (2015) since Chris Scott has taken over, but from this they have had only two Grand Final appearances and won only one premiership (In Scott’s first year after taking over a very strong team from Bomber Thompson). His regular season winning percentage is 71.6%, above the AFL average. In finals it drops to 40%. This year they were terrible against Port Adelaide, and after fighting off a weakened GWS, they once more collapsed when facing Melbourne in the Prelim.
Since the 2007 grand final defeat, Port Adelaide have gone through a massive rebuild. Not only in players but also the coaching staff and the corporate figures. When Ken Hinkley signed on at the end of 2012 he was hailed as the saviour that would deliver Port their second AFL premiership. Since his takeover Port have made 5 finals series and were in the hunt for the other 4. But despite high praise for superb recruitment and off field developments (such as playing in China) the Power still have not returned to the big stage. Three times, including twice in the past two years, they have faltered at the Preliminary final. This year was particularly disappointing.
On paper, both of these teams should have won a premiership in recent years. Neither have. Geelong with their big names of Selwood, Dangerfield, Hawkins, and now the addition of Cameron. Port Adelaide with the magic of Gray, Boak, Wines, and new star Aliir Aliir for 2021.
And the fans are looking for someone to blame. There have been many calls for both Scott and Hinkley to be moved on and for new people to take the reins. They are the two longest serving head coaches without a premiership. It may be harsh, but the buck stops with the head coach. Scott and Hinkley are good coaches, that much can’t be disputed, but it is appearing more and more doubtful that they can be great. Football moves fast, and after a while a coach can become stuck in old ways. It’s clear that both teams have the skills and now the experience needed for a premiership, perhaps what they are lacking is the innovation.
Both coaches have had enough time to prove themselves, they have not delivered. Perhaps they would do better with a fresh start in a new team, but all that can be said is that Port Adelaide and Geelong are increasingly unlikely to taste ultimate success in the AFL with their current coaches at the helm.
