Are collingwood the second best side in AFL history?

Question

The pies have lost more grand finals than anybody else. Does this mean that they are still second best even if they don't make the finals?

Answer 1

Ah the Colliwobbles.

I love Collingwood when they lose (which is often).  Every year they look the goods, then consistantly under perform, and invariably miss the finals.

I hate to be disappointed, so a big hurrah to the Magpies for being consistantly sh*t year after year after year

Up yours Joffa

Answer 2

collingwood are many people's "second Team" - ie who they barrack for in the finals if their own is knocked out.

I don't actually have a second team and my Bombers aren't Collingwood's greatest friends, but looking at AFL history - which includes when it was the VFL - there are several outstanding teams, who've made their mark, and got to the last two in the finals, repeatedly.

My own Bombers: Melbourne: Carlton: Hawthorn:we have to include WCE and Brisbane Lions for recent multiple premierships: and Collingwood.

I know the Bloods of South Melbourne were good in their day but one premiership in 30 years and a couple of 2nds, doesn't cut it for the Swans, who in spite of marketing are NOT the Bloods.

One hit wonders like Port need not apply. Yet.

Answer 3

You gotta be kidding right?.......Port Adelaide has something like 36 Premierships, does that make them , the best team in history?

Edit...Well then...get your dog playing for Collingwood, maybe they will win a Premiership.

Remember.....The AFL started in 1990, its not the VFL anymore.

Answer 4

*I know this is a very long answer but it's worth reading ;)

You should give a little more info to explain exactly what you mean because it depends on how you look at the question...

First you say AFL history, so are you talking about from 1990 onwards (when the comp was considered AFL)? or do you mean from 1897 onwards (which would be VFL-AFL history)? or as another answerer suggested (which I guess not judging from your reply) do you mean in any state-level aussie comp?

Anywho... I will give the following part of my answer with 'AFL history' meaning from 1990 onwards.

There are (still) many ways you can look at this.

In Terms of premierships:

Brisbane,West Coast 3, Essendon, Adelaide, Nth Melbourne 2 ..which means there'd be 3 '2nd best' teams none of which are collingwood.

In Terms of Runner-Ups:

Geelong 3; WC, Carl, Syd, Coll & Ess 2 meaning Geelong would be the '2nd best'

In terms of total won/lost (and drawn) for the time 1990-2007

I dunno!

Since 1897...

Collingwood have appeared in the most Grand Finals (39) and of those have won the third most (14) and have finished as runner-up the most often of any teams (25)

So In one aspect they are the second best club but in another they could be considered the most successful because they have reached the most grand finals.

Another way of looking at it is in the case of St Kilda - they by far have won the most wooden spoons so can be considered the least successful, yet they have won the same amount of premierships as Footscray/Western Bulldogs but the Bulldogs have appeared in less GF's than StKilda (StK 5 F/WB 2), so who is considered more successful?

So, the answer is in some ways you could say that Collingwood is the second best Club but in others you could say they are more or less successfull than other clubs.