Memorable wins when the dogs have been in a trough

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Look, i really need some pepping up ahead of tonights' match. And i don't know if it's just me but i detect a sense of foreboding amongst woofers. Can anyone recall a pivotal match which we won when our season was in a trough and looked to be heading south. I won't lie, i've got nothing. I know that we lost the first 11 games of 1980 before cracking the ice against Fitzroy but i can't recall that game. Please. Anything.

[bornadog]

Testing the memory here, I have to really think about it.

[The bulldog tragician]

Definition of a trough? One that comes to mind is 2015. After the brave “breakout” win in Sydney we lost the next three, including coughing up a massive lead to St Kilda. We looked like we’d just been flashes in the pan, but then we played The Acronyms, with our former captain in those colours for the first time, and thrashed them.

I wish I could feel that tonight will be as stirring. Unfortunately this trough feels self-inflicted. Perplexing team selections and not bringing a switched on attitude v Suns and Blues. The Collingwood loss is the only one that feels like an accurate reflection of our effort and (to a degree) personnel.

[1eyedog]

We were effectively in a trough from 1980-1984 but I went to an away match at Windy Hill that we won in 1984. It really turned us around leading into 85. In hindsight this was our Sydney 2015 win which lead to a fantastic 1985. I'd never been to Windy Hill before we hated Essendon but it was sort of western suburbs side so access was OK as you got to bypass the city. The you beaut thing was a fight broke out between a heap of Essendon supporters at the northern end of the ground after the match. I mean really? I've never seen a fight at WO over 20 years of attendance.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Definition of a trough? One that comes to mind is 2015. After the brave “breakout” win in Sydney we lost the next three, including coughing up a massive lead to St Kilda. We looked like we’d just been flashes in the pan, but then we played The Acronyms, with our former captain in those colours for the first time, and thrashed them.

I wish I could feel that tonight will be as stirring. Unfortunately this trough feels self-inflicted. Perplexing team selections and not bringing a switched on attitude v Suns and Blues. The Collingwood loss is the only one that feels like an accurate reflection of our effort and (to a degree) personnel.

Definition? hmm maybe when the players look as if they're playing together for the first time. Maybe they're could be a sliding scale. maybe they're in a rut. Play tonight like they did last week and i think it's definitely a trough.

Yeah the gws was definitely a good one.

[bornadog]

2005, Rocket's first year. Up to round 16 it was 6 wins and 10 losses and looking like another pretty bad year. Then come round 17, we started to click into gear and beat Geelong by 35 points, Brisbane by 28, Eagles by 43, Tigers by 12 and suddenly we were in contention for a final. If it wasn't for a ridiculous free to Melbourne in the dying seconds of the match against Skipper in the ruck and dead in front we would have won, losing by 4 points. We finished the season by beating the pies by 41 points and missing finals by half game and 6th by a game, including Melbourne a game ahead by behind us on percentage.

However, we saw a glimpse of the future with the way Rocket wanted us to play and 2006 made finals.

[The bulldog tragician]

I guess we were in the mother of all troughs from 54 to 2016...

[Twodogs]

We were effectively in a trough from 1980-1984 but I went to an away match at Windy Hill that we won in 1984. It really turned us around leading into 85. In hindsight this was our Sydney 2015 win which lead to a fantastic 1985. I'd never been to Windy Hill before we hated Essendon but it was sort of western suburbs side so access was OK as you got to bypass the city. The you beaut thing was a fight broke out between a heap of Essendon supporters at the northern end of the ground after the match. I mean really? I've never seen a fight at WO over 20 years of attendance.

Jim Sewell kicked 5 that day.

[Grantysghost]

Did we beat the cats one year down there in the mid 90s after we hadn't won there for years. Probably not a trough though it just always sticks in the memory.

Edit : 95 we made finals so not a trough . Good last quarter though ! Hadn't won there since 85.

https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1995/070919950826.html

[Twodogs]

A game at optus in 1996 against St Kilda toward the end of the season. Chris Grant and a few of our better players were missing with injury and illness, in their minds they had it won before the game started and we pulled their pants down.

[The Pie Man]

2004 was a dirty year - coming into round 12 vs St Kilda we were 3-8 (finished 5-17)

Don’t know how we pulled that off - Bubba kicked 4!...but we managed to knock off the high flying Saints in one of my more fun* (and cold) days at the footy.

*Fun games to remember could be a thread all it’s own - WCE @ the G in 2006 one of my favourites.

[Grantysghost]

2004 was a dirty year - coming into round 12 vs St Kilda we were 3-8 (finished 5-17)

Don’t know how we pulled that off - Bubba kicked 4!...but we managed to knock off the high flying Saints in one of my more fun* (and cold) days at the footy.

*Fun games to remember could be a thread all it’s own - WCE @ the G in 2006 one of my favourites.

The big comeback at the G v the Crows with Stephen Powell kicking the winner (I think very foggy)....circa 99? That was fun. Good thread idea!

[The Pie Man]

The big comeback at the G v the Crows with Stephen Powell kicking the winner (I think very foggy)....circa 99? That was fun. Good thread idea!

Yes! Still remember Darcy tying the scores with a long set shot, felt good to see that win after the previous 2 years (still haven’t beaten them in a final - and credit to their fans, they travel & make noise)

[HOSE B ROMERO]

2004 was a dirty year - coming into round 12 vs St Kilda we were 3-8 (finished 5-17)

Don’t know how we pulled that off - Bubba kicked 4!...but we managed to knock off the high flying Saints in one of my more fun* (and cold) days at the footy.

*Fun games to remember could be a thread all it’s own - WCE @ the G in 2006 one of my favourites.

That's exactly what i need pie man! 2004 seems like one of those years my self therapy has eliminated from my mind.

[The Pie Man]

That's exactly what i need pie man! 2004 seems like one of those years my self therapy has eliminated from my mind.

This thread can always trigger things both good & bad.

Hi 1997 ...we lost 4 straight R 15-19 then beat a poor Dees at Carlton that convinced no one we were back, with a trip to AAMI the following Sunday sure to expose us further. I was 19 and watched at my Mums place with a corker of a hangover and still can’t believe the James Cook chase and 60 metre set shot happened.

We were back!

[MrMahatma]

Let's talk memorable seasons.... random wins suck. Let's be a good footy team for a change.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Let's talk memorable seasons.... random wins suck. Let's be a good footy team for a change.

Nah. Random memorable wins when a team is down can provide just the springboard a club needs.

[1eyedog]

Jim Sewell kicked 5 that day.

I was 14 and I don't remember that but I do remember that Essendon were a powerhouse team that year. In that regard it was very similar to the 2000 match where we knocked them over spoiling their unbeaten minor premiership. Budgie was everywhere that day which made it all the more sweeter considering he came over from there. Great win. Had a beer as a 14 year old at the Rising Sun on the way home, Dad was feeling very good about it all.

[Twodogs]

I was 14 and I don't remember that but I do remember that Essendon were a powerhouse team that year. In that regard it was very similar to the 2000 match where we knocked them over spoiling their unbeaten minor premiership. Budgie was everywhere that day which made it all the more sweeter considering he came over from there. Great win. Had a beer as a 14 year old at the Rising Sun on the way home, Dad was feeling very good about it all.

The year before we got thumped at Windy Hill after winning 4 games in a row for the first time in a long time. Jimmy was interviewed on the winners and said something about getting our arses kicked and then stopped and with a look of shock on his face said "I hope there wont be a problem with me saying that" Drew Morphett didn't flinch and said "You just got your arses kicked by 120 points, I think we can allow you that"

[Twodogs]

Did we beat the cats one year down there in the mid 90s after we hadn't won there for years. Probably not a trough though it just always sticks in the memory.

Edit : 95 we made finals so not a trough . Good last quarter though ! Hadn't won there since 85.

https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1995/070919950826.html

I was working that day and had a bet with my Geelong supporting co-worker halfway through the second quarter when we were 6 goals behind that we would win (Don't ask me why but I was super confident).

[merantau]

I remember being at an outdoor wedding in Blackwood on a freezing day in the early 80s from memory. We upset the Blues at Princes Park. I think Wagon kicked 4 that day. I was really happy with that win. It warmed the cockles of me heart on a freezing day.

[Twodogs]

I remember being at an outdoor wedding in Blackwood on a freezing day in the early 80s from memory. We upset the Blues at Princes Park. I think Wagon kicked 4 that day. I was really happy with that win. It warmed the cockles of me heart on a freezing day.

It must have been 1985 because that was our first win at PP since 1964. Beasley kicked 9. I had always wanted to hit those advertising hoardings at the scoreboard end and yell out 'FOOTS-CRAY" the way I had seen Carlton supporters do so many times.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

The year before we got thumped at Windy Hill after winning 4 games in a row for the first time in a long time. Jimmy was interviewed on the winners and said something about getting our arses kicked and then stopped and with a look of shock on his face said "I hope there wont be a problem with me saying that" Drew Morphett didn't flinch and said "You just got your arses kicked by 120 points, I think we can allow you that"

Tragic day. Bomber supporter grabbed my scarf on way out. Said he wanted to wipe my tears. Still hurts.

[The bulldog tragician]

Tragic day. Bomber supporter grabbed my scarf on way out. Said he wanted to wipe my tears. Still hurts.
Perhaps this was the same hilarious character who kept yelling at half time: Lock the gates!!! Don’t let ‘em out!

I refused to leave as the torture piled on. No way would I give him that satisfaction.

And this is why I hate that club more than any other.

[Webby]

This is an easy one for me. Round 2, 1983.

We were reigning wooden spooners, having won just 5 of our previous 47 games.
We sat second last on the ladder after round 1.

Carlton were reigning back to back premiers. They’d also just won the pre season competition and belted Richmond in the traditional round 1 Grand Final ‘rematch.’ They’d mauled them by 10 goals - meaning the Tigers were the only team sitting below us.

We won by 17 points. It sparked a four game winning streak. We’d doubled our 1982 wins tally by round five of 1983 and beaten eventual Premiers, Hawthorn and the previous year’s grand finalists, Richmond as well.

(Unfunnily enough, in round 6, Essendon ended the winning streak to the tune of 22 goals - which was mentioned in a previous post in this thread.) whilst a jilted Carlton got us by 13 goals in the return match at Princes Park.

But finishing the year 10 & 12 in 7th place was a big improvement on the 10 & 56 we’d dished up over the previous three seasons.

BTW, we went to 11 & 11 in 1984 and then 16 & 6 in 1985. So round 2, 1983 sticks in the mind. Hopefully Saturday night is a similar turning point. Felt a bit like it..