There are many moments throughout a football season where you look back and just think ‘what if’.
What if so and so didn’t miss that set shot? What if the ball bounced the other way? What if that handball had hit the target? What if the side simply turned up? What if, what if, what if.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the sliding doors moments that have impacted your club over the course of the last 10 years.
Whether it cost the club a premiership, whether it halted momentum in a finals campaign, whether it denied them a spot in a Grand Final, these are the moments or matches that when recalled, make you grit your teeth with regret. The instances where you just wish it fell the way of your beloved team.
Supporters from each of the 18 clubs might have their own stories to tell about what may have been but here are the sliding doors moments rom the last decade as we see them.
2017 Grand Final loss to Richmond and ensuing fallout
The Crows went into the 2017 Grand Final against Richmond as red hot favourites. When the ball was bounced at 2:30pm on that September Saturday afternoon they were clearly the best team in the competition. But what happened over the next few hours and ensuing months has had a significant impact on the Adelaide Football Club. The infamous pre-season camp of 2018 was the next disaster in line and from there, things have continued on a downward spiral, particularly off field. After their comical power stance they kicked the first two goals of the decider before it all fell over. Subsequently, there hasn’t been much joy since and they’d be ruing letting that golden opportunity slip.
Andrew Slevison
2019 finals losses to Richmond and GWS
The Lions exceeded all expectations in 2019, finishing second on the ladder and hosting two finals at the Gabba. Despite this, they would be disappointed going out in straight sets to eventual Grand Finalists Richmond and GWS. Team improvement is not a linear thing, just ask Melbourne, and the Lions unfortunately missed a chance to book their first Grand Final appearance since 2004. They were outclassed by a Richmond team that was peaking at the perfect moment in the Qualifying Final, but their three-point loss to GWS will be one that hopefully fuels them to make another run at the finals in 2020.
Nic Negrepontis
2011 Semi-Final loss to West Coast
Carlton came a breath away from making a preliminary final in 2011, their only legitimate finals run in nearly two decades. They travelled over to Perth to play West Coast in the 2011 semi-final after finishing fifth and comfortably brushing aside Essendon in week one. The Eagles were well in control for most of the game, but the Blues managed to get within three points in the dying stages of the game. A hack kick forward and a 50-50 non-free-kick to Andrew Walker at the top of the goal square was the final opportunity which resultantly sent Carlton home. The Blues fought hard despite losing Bryce Gibbs and every key forward on their list in the lead up to/during the game and Carlton fans will wonder whether they would have managed to get over the line at full strength.
Nic Negrepontis
2018 Grand Final loss to West Coast
Not much really needs to be explained here. Collingwood led West Coast in the 2018 AFL Grand Final with two minutes left on the clock and lost. There are few bigger ‘what if’ moments in recent footy history. Jeremy McGovern takes a huge contested mark in defensive fifty – what if he drops it? McGovern kicks long to Nathan Vardy who marks, wheels and kicks to Liam Ryan who takes another huge contested mark – what if the kick goes astray or Ryan doesn’t hold on? Ryan then puts the ball inside 50 and Dom Sheed marks – what if Brayden Maynard gets the free kick for being blocked? What if Sheed misses the tough set shot? It’s hard to see Magpies fans living this one down for a while and fair enough too.
Nic Negrepontis
Supplements saga (2013-2016)
The Essendon drugs saga is arguably the biggest ‘what if’ moment from the last decade. Appointing club great James Hird as coach for the 2011 season was seen as a seminal moment for a powerhouse club that had in previous years had been perrential underperformers. Fast forward just a few years later and the club was in crisis, with 34 past and present Bombers players suspended by ASADA. The drawn-out saga culminated in an Essendon side taking the field in 2016 largely made up of younger players as well as numerous ‘top up’ selections. They would go on to finish bottom of the table in that year. The drugs saga effectively ruined four straight seasons between 2013 and 2016 as both the club and league as a whole dragged through the mud as a result. Where would the Bombers be if the saga didn’t happen? It’s one of the great unknowns.
Laurence Rosen
2013 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn
The 2013 Dockers remain the most successful side of any in the club’s history. After losing just five games throughout the regular season, Fremantle took down Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in the qualifying final before defeating Sydney at home in the preliminary final to quality for their maiden Grand Final. Unfortunately for Ross Lyon’s side, they came up against a formidable Hawthorn side and had a classic case of stage fright early in the game, managing 1.6 to half-time. From there they kicked 7.8 to the Hawks’ 5.6 but they damage had been done – and that elusive maiden premiership awaits. To this day, Fremantle are still striving to reach the heights of 2013 once more as they look to claim what would be an historic first-ever flag.
Laurence Rosen
2013 Qualifying Final loss to Fremantle
It seemed a forgone conclusion that Geelong would take care of Fremantle at their home fortress of Kardinia Park in the 2013 qualifying final. In one of the great finals upsets, the Cats were stunned by a determined Dockers outfit in just their second loss at the Cattery in 44 games. It meant Chris Scott’s side had to beat fierce rivals Hawthorn to make the Grand Final. 'The Kennett Curse' was finally broken as the Hawks won a five-point thriller but the loss to Freo was the game that derailed Geelong's premiership hopes.
Alex Zaia
Gary Ablett's shoulder in 2014
The Suns have had a tough start to life in the AFL after they became the competition’s 17th side back in 2011. But after years of pain, things appeared to be turning in 2014 and after 15 rounds, Gold Coast were sitting in the top eight and on the cusp of a maiden finals berth. Their round 16 win would prove damaging despite the victory as Gary Ablett went down with a shoulder injury. They lost six of the last seven games of the season in Ablett’s absence to once again miss out on finals. It ended up being arguably the club’s most disappointing campaign to date after the promising signs shown as they fell short without their marquee player.
Laurence Rosen
2016 Preliminary Final loss to Western Bulldogs
On their home deck against a side who were playing their third final in as many weeks, the Giants were expected to beat the Bulldogs in the 2016 preliminary final. It was a combative clash, as you’d expect from a game of this consequence, which saw the Giants up by 14 points early in the last term. But they were outmuscled and outsmarted by the Dogs, ultimately denied a spot in the decider. GWS had easily accounted for Sydney in the qualifying final and would have been confident against the Swans on Grand Final day. It was not to be.
Andrew Slevison
2012 Grand Final missed goals in loss to Sydney
The Hawks had been the most impressive team over the course of 2012 and went into the Grand Final agains the Swans favoured to win. A 19-point quarter-time lead fell away to a 15-point half-time deficit before they turned it on in the third term. But what if their final quarter was a bit different? Inside the final six minutes, Jack Gunston hit the post and Brad Sewell had two errant snaps from the pocket as Hawthorn kicked 2.5 for the term. They were inaccurate throughout, ending with five more scoring shots, but couldn’t quite get over the line. The brown and gold faithful will feel like this is one that got away. It didn’t do too much damage, however, as the Hawks would win the next three flags on the trot.
Andrew Slevison
2018 Preliminary Final blowout against West Coast
Melbourne qualified for their first finals series since 2006 in 2018 after finishing fifth on the ladder. The Dees had struggled of late but their run through the finals saw them beat both Geelong and Hawthorn to set up a breakthrough preliminary final clash against West Coast in Perth. Unfortunately for Simon Goodwin’s side, the match could have hardly played out in worse fashion. Losing a preliminary final by 66 points is bad enough but by not scoring a goal in the first half is hard to take. They became the first side since Richmond in 1927 not to register a major in the opening two quarters of a final. It was also the first time that had ever happened in a preliminary final. Melbourne endured a horror season in 2019, winning just five times. 2020 looms as a vital season for the Dees as they look to rebound after both the preliminary final blowout in 2018 and subsequent fallout into the next season.
Laurence Rosen
2015 Preliminary Final loss to West Coast
This was North Melbourne’s best chance to make a Grand Final this decade and one that fans of other teams have probably completely forgotten about. From 8th spot on the ladder, the Roos knocked off Richmond in the first week of finals before stunning Sydney up at ANZ Stadium in week two. They flew over to Perth to meet a white-hot West Coast team and put them to the sword early. North kept them goalless in the first quarter and held a 20-point lead at the first break. They also led at half-time, but had 3.7 to their name, wasting opportunities. From there, West Coast would kick seven goals to three and win by 25 points.
Nic Negrepontis
2014 Preliminary Final loss to Hawthorn
Port Adelaide were riding a wave of momentum heading into their preliminary final against Hawthorn in 2014. The Power came out firing and had the reigning premiers rattled but kicked just 3.9 to quarter time, inaccuracy that ultimately cost them a Grand Final berth. Ken Hinkley’s men finished strongly and threatened to overrun the Hawks but fell three points short having been the better side for large portions of the match. Port Adelaide finished with seven more scoring shots but couldn’t convert their dominance on the scoreboard. They were left to rue their inefficiency as the Hawks went on to easily beat the Swans in the Grand Final.
Alex Zaia
2018 Preliminary Final loss to Collingwood
The Tigers had been the most dominant team of the 2018 season and were heavily favoured to win a second successive premiership. But they had to get there first. After a comfortable win over Hawthorn, the Tigers were set to play Collingwood in the prelim. They had beaten the Magpies in round 19 but went into the penultimate match underdone with some key players under injury clouds and some even hit with gastro in the lead up. But nothing could prepare them for what the Pies were about to do. It was a scintillating performance, led of course by the since unmatched showing of Mason Cox. A prelim disappointment wedged between two flags. Could Richmond have won a three-peat? We’ll never know.
Andrew Slevison
Milne bounce in 2010 drawn Grand Final
With just a minute and a half left in the 2010 Grand Final, a Stephen Milne goal would have put St Kilda five points in front and within touching distance of a drought-breaking flag. Instead, the ball agonisingly evaded Milne just metres out from goal after it landed at his feet before taking a sharp right turn through for a behind. The match ended in a draw – just the third in VFL/AFL history – and Collingwood romped to a 56-point win in the replay. Some argue the Saints were a kind bounce away from winning a first premiership since 1966.
Alex Zaia
2016 Grand Final loss to Western Bulldogs
Sydney were heavy favourites going into the 2016 Grand Final against surprise packet the Western Bulldogs. The Swans, aiming for a second premiership in five years, were brimming with confidence having won the minor premiership and were fresh off comfortably beaten Geelong in the preliminary final. It was an even contest before the Bulldogs surged late to end a 62-year premiership drought, leaving Sydney empty handed. It was a lost opportunity for the Swans to cap off their sustained excellence over several seasons with another flag.
Alex Zaia
Round 23 loss to Hawthorn in 2019
West Coast messed up their 2019 season in the final home and away game. Requiring a win over Hawthorn to secure a top four spot, and perhaps even a home final, the Eagles faltered. They then easily beat Essendon in the qualifying final but disaster struck prior to the Geelong semi-final when Willie Rioli was provisionally suspended and subsequently withdrawn. That further compounded the Hawks loss and they were never really in it against the Cats. The Eagles had proved their premiership credentials just one week prior to the season defining defeat when they ran Richmond all the way at the MCG. The lack of a second chance ruined their flag hopes.
Andrew Slevison
2015 Elimination Final loss to Adelaide
The Western Bulldogs and Adelaide put on one of the most entertaining finals in recent memory in 2015, with the Crows winning a 30-goal shootout by seven points. The Bulldogs steamed into the game in red-hot form, winning seven of their last 10 games and showing signs of the team they would become a year later. They got going early with the first three goals before they had a great chance to win the game late. With 2:28 on the clock, the Dogs trailed by a point when they were bearing down on goal only for Lachie Hunter's handball to completely miss Stewart Crameri. The Crows won the stoppage, whipped it down the other end and Charlie Cameron kicked the winner. Adelaide would prove no match for Hawthorn a week later and Bulldogs fans would wonder if their momentum could have perhaps ended the Hawks’ dominance a year before it was conquered.
Nic Negrepontis