Which PF Win Was Better: 2016 or 2021

[bulldogtragic]

Can only pick one.

Brad Johnson says 2021.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

2016 no question.

2021 has been more impressive considering what we’ve been through though. But 2016 wasn’t exactly a cakewalk!

2016 there were tears. 2021 was about pride.

[EasternWest]

2016 is probably the club's greatest win ever.

No contest.

[chef]

2016 was the greatest game ever. Say no more.

[comrade]

2016 felt like climbing Everest. 2021 was a vigorous walk in the park by comparison.

[Eastdog]

I loved 2016. That game was amazing!

[The bulldog tragician]

You’re asking us to pick a favourite child!

2016 for me because it smashed through a psychological barrier which had stopped Bulldogs’ teams that were arguably more talented. You could also say 2016 was the “parent” of 2021. We went into it with multiple challenges but the spectre of losing a ninth PF in a row was at least not one of them.

2021 was though as complete a display of brilliant football..skills, toughness, scintillating ball movement as I’ve ever seen from a Bulldogs team.

Loved both games. Hope what comes out after 2021 is just as good because let’s face it, our memories won’t be as fond if we don’t…well, you know..(too superstitious to even name it)

[Twodogs]

2016 was crazy good, exciting and a breakthrough. 2021 was against the odds and a victory for planning.


I like them both but 2016 was a game out of the box.

[comrade]

You’re asking us to pick a favourite child!

2016 for me because it smashed through a psychological barrier which had stopped Bulldogs’ teams that were arguably more talented. You could also say 2016 was the “parent” of 2021. We went into it with multiple challenges but the spectre of losing a ninth PF in a row was at least not one of them.

2021 was though as complete a display of brilliant football..skills, toughness, scintillating ball movement as I’ve ever seen from a Bulldogs team.

Loved both games. Hope what comes out after 2021 is just as good because let’s face it, our memories won’t be as fond if we don’t…well, you know..(too superstitious to even name it)

How good is it we're even in a position to compare PRELIM WINS 6 years apart?!

[Sedat]

I still get nervous watching a replay of 2016 for the 150th time. Then I see Devon Smith and Toby Greene both fluff their lines by selfishly going for individual glory and I feel a sense of relief.

2016 for overcoming the weight of history is more impactful. But 2021 was ridiculous in its ruthlessness and sheer brilliance.

[SonofScray]

2016 was crazy good, exciting and a breakthrough. 2021 was against the odds and a victory for planning.


I like them both but 2016 was a game out of the box.

Twodogs = Dwayne Russell, confirmed.

2016 was, and always will sit on top of the list. It was both a huge emotional, cathartic experience and an incredible game of footy. We took out the Orange, slayed the monkey on our back and put one hand on the cup in one fell swoop. It was an important moment for us as a club, one that spoke right to our core. We took our whole selves up the highway, history, hopes, dreams, strengths, foibles and rewrote the future. Invalidated a whole bunch of predetermined narrative, took away a whole heap of weapons from the arsenal of those who want to chop us down. If this ended up a feature film, the PF would be the final act and the actual Premiership would be a caption at the end before the credits rolled.


2021 is a different beast. If we do get the result we all want, I think perhaps we’ll have surpassed the degree of difficulty given the pandemic conditions and extra travel. But maybe the opposition hasn’t been as strong. Melbourne are certainly the biggest challenge, so a GF face off is the fitting outcome. I am hoping for a really comprehensive win. One that affirms my belief that our best > your best. That’d push this tilt above 2016 overall.

[ReLoad]

From a storyline and emotional perspective, its 2016 by a long way, but from a against the odds, and technical hardship perspective, it was 2021.

Both are unique, both are special, just for different reasons.

2021 was about a window of opportunity, that window was the first 15 minutes of the game. Fluff that and we were sunk, not only did we not stuff it up, we did the opposite, we went for the jugular and we choked the life out of them. It was so animalistic that David Attenborough commentating would have been appropriate. "Here you see the dogs circling its prey as a pack, heres where they strike........."

I love them both, and picking a favorite cant be done, but right now, I love the 2021 ruthless version.

[Mantis]

2016.. by the length of the straight.

The weight that was lifted off the clubs shoulders after that win was immense given the previous failures at that stage. It felt that we were never even going to make a GF little lone win one... we broke down that barrier against the Plastics on that famous night.

[Go_Dogs]

2016.. by the length of the straight.

The weight that was lifted off the clubs shoulders after that win was immense given the previous failures at that stage. It felt that we were never even going to make a GF little lone win one... we broke down that barrier against the Plastics on that famous night.

Agree with this.

The 2021 win is actually far superior in almost every other way. But 2016 ending so many years of misery will never be topped.

[Mofra]

2016 was a shock. The Bulldogs just didn't win prelims having lost 7 in a row, and GWS in that year were probably their strongest (better than their Grand Final side).
Port were raging favourites this year but did have two previous Prelim chokes hanging over their head.

[SonofScray]

2016.. by the length of the straight.

The weight that was lifted off the clubs shoulders after that win was immense given the previous failures at that stage. It felt that we were never even going to make a GF little lone win one... we broke down that barrier against the Plastics on that famous night.
Great summation. 21 doesn’t happen without 16.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

2016.. by the length of the straight.

The weight that was lifted off the clubs shoulders after that win was immense given the previous failures at that stage. It felt that we were never even going to make a GF little lone win one... we broke down that barrier against the Plastics on that famous night.

Yep, the difference is the storyline and the absolute heartache and torture that came before it.

From a sheer footballing perspective, the 2021 PF is actually more impressive - the last 3 weeks of the year, the quarantining/restriction of access to gyms, socialising, food etc, the injuries to Bruce/Keath/Weightman....

... but 2016 was the moment we never thought would happen.

[Ozza]

2016 for me.
It was the greatest game ever played, the most exciting thing I've ever witnessed, and for me the highlight of 2016 (in a year where we won the premiership and got married).

Everything about it. The pilgrimage to Western Sydney to 'take over', and feeling like I was in the west of Melbourne by the amount of people I knew that I ran into at the game. And the extraordinary relief and ecstasy of making one at last.

We will never be able to appreciate making a Grand Final as much as we did that year. It will never be as big a deal ever again.

[Mantis]

Agree with this.

The 2021 win is actually far superior in almost every other way. But 2016 ending so many years of misery will never be topped.

I think the way we won in 2016 was defining too. We were 14 points down early in the last with our opponent having all the momentum on their own patch and it looked like we would fail at that stage again, but we looked them straight in the eyes and said not this time.... we wrote a new page in our history and it was amazing.

The 2021 version was our team at it's clinical best.. it was an utterly brilliant performance, maybe the best the team has ever performed in such an important game since the '54 GF, but 2016 is still the moment it all changed for me.

[Ozza]

The 2021 team is a lot more talented than 2016 also. My expectation is that this team would get to Prelim weekend as 'par' and hoping to shoot for more.

Would absolutely love to win it this year. But my expectation is that this team is right at the pointy end for the next 5 years and create multiple chances to win one (and finally finish top 4/top 2). The talent levels have never been seen on a Bulldogs list in our history.

[EasternWest]

2016 for me.
It was the greatest game ever played, the most exciting thing I've ever witnessed, and for me the highlight of 2016 (in a year where we won the premiership and got married).

Everything about it. The pilgrimage to Western Sydney to 'take over', and feeling like I was in the west of Melbourne by the amount of people I knew that I ran into at the game. And the extraordinary relief and ecstasy of making one at last.

We will never be able to appreciate making a Grand Final as much as we did that year. It will never be as big a deal ever again.


I think the way we won in 2016 was defining too. We were 14 points down early in the last with our opponent having all the momentum on their own patch and it looked like we would fail at that stage again, but we looked them straight in the eyes and said not this time.... we wrote a new page in our history and it was amazing.

The 2021 version was our team at it's clinical best.. it was an utterly brilliant performance, maybe the best the team has ever performed in such an important game since the '54 GF, but 2016 is still the moment it all changed for me.

Far out you've made me want to go put it on now.

[comrade]

Funnily enough, both finals series have plenty of parallels but the order is just different.

Our EF this year was like the semi in 2016. Average start, pulled away late.

Our semi this year was like the prelim in 2016. Interstate, odds stacked against us, thriller.

Our prelim this year was like the EF in 2016. Interstate, outrageous underdog, completely ambushed them.

That just leaves the GF. Team from outside the top 4 playing the minor premiers...

[Ozza]

Ambush is the right word to describe Saturday night. We absolutely ambushed Port.

The GF will be different - we won't be able to catch Melbourne napping or off their game - its going to be a game of inches, strategy, concentration and who can execute what they want to do best.

[Topdog]

I'm not sure 2021 was possible without 2016. The 7 losses in a row absolutely weighed on the club and suppoters. Whilst the players weren't really involved in the 7 losses there was a sense of dread all around the Bulldogs and they must have felt it.

[Twodogs]

Funnily enough, both finals series have plenty of parallels but the order is just different.

Our EF this year was like the semi in 2016. Average start, pulled away late.

Our semi this year was like the prelim in 2016. Interstate, odds stacked against us, thriller.

Our prelim this year was like the EF in 2016. Interstate, outrageous underdog, completely ambushed them.

That just leaves the GF. Team from outside the top 4 playing the minor premiers...

And the bye is at opposite ends of the final series but still allows us to rest, reset and get some injured players that are really important to us back. Just like 2016.

[westdog54]

It all comes down to what you consider best.

If you're looking at it from a historical significance perspective, quality of match or emotional impact, then naturally 2016 wins out.

2021 was something different altogether. This was a demolition job against a high quality opponent, away from home, with obstacle after obstacle stacked in front of us.

2021 saw a massive statement made, not just to Melbourne, but to the rest of the competition. That rounds 21-23 were an aberration, that we are united as a playing group, that we can not just win in the face of adversity but tear them to shreds, and God help you if you're in our path, because we're coming for you.

As big as 2016 was, there was something immensely satisfying about Saturday night.

[Mofra]

The 2021 team is a lot more talented than 2016 also. My expectation is that this team would get to Prelim weekend as 'par' and hoping to shoot for more.
This 2021 certainly is more talented, but nowhere near as 'gritty'.
I doubt we'll see anything like that 2016 side again - Boyd, Picken, Smith and Morris in the same side is just an incredible quartet of pure competitors.

[comrade]

This 2021 certainly is more talented, but nowhere near as 'gritty'.
I doubt we'll see anything like that 2016 side again - Boyd, Picken, Smith and Morris in the same side is just an incredible quartet of pure competitors.

We needed that many absolute maniacs to break the curse, imo. Melbourne are in a similar boat as we were then - more dominant across the year of course - but not sure they have the maniacs required for curse breaking. Here's hoping, anyway.

[Boots]

2016 was magic. There was a moment at the end of the broadcast where the Dogs were all celebrating and the crowd noise was immense and the camera started to shake a bit and I like to believe it was just pure emotion making it shake. Perfect counterpoint to Dickon's tiny grin during his runup as the siren sounded. 2021 was magnificent but it can't compare to that raw feeling.

[Daughter of the West]

For me - 2016 by the length of the Flemington straight. The way that Bulldogs supporters effectively took over enemy territory was just incredible, and then the boys delivered in an absolute cracking game. It was such a special day and I still pinch myself (especially in covid non-travelling times) that I was lucky enough to be there.

This latest PF win was pretty bloody magnificent though, how nice is to have prelim wins to compare these days?? :D

[dadsgirl16]

2016 for mine..just the pure joy of being there when we finally got to win a prelim..never forget it

[merantau]

It would take something monumental to top 2016 which was on another level for drama and intensity. Our win against Brisbane was in the same league but lacked the failed Prelim history of our GWS triumph.

Personally, witnessing that game, was a very strange experience for me. I was in a ramshackle beach-side bar in East Sumbawa. Elevated, rough built from local timbers cut straight from the adjacent forest, the open side faced the sea and afforded a marvellous view of the rollers crashing on to the beach.

I was with a mate, an Essendon supporter with a passing interest in AFL and half a dozen Aussie surfers, none of whom were overly invested in the game. Up the other end of the bar was a group of Brazilians who showed not one iota of interest. It was a very ho-hum atmosphere except for me. I was barracking loudly at times, sallying forth with expletive-laden fusillades at times and generally dying the death of a thousand cuts internally.

I remember just before 3/4 time when Bont overbalanced and lost control of the ball my heart sank to the floorboards but it was immediately lifted up by Dicko's tackle, Libba's handball to Stringer who knocked it on to Dalhaus who released while being dragged to the ground to allow Clay Smith and Caleb Daniel to step up. THE most thrilling team goal I've ever seen.

When they got 14 points up early in the last I honestly thought we were cactus - cos that's what happens to us. But very soon after Dicko goals after a great contested mark and a total brain fade by Heath Shaw & Co.
From that point on we really lifted. Has there ever been a more decisive, crucial run out of defence than JJ's? I doubt it. Bont's goal was truly epic.
From Macrae's clutch mark and goal to Dicko's mark at the death every nano-second was high drama. What a win. How I wish I had been at the game or at a pub in Footscray. Never mind - I'll take it. Greatest win ever.

[DOG GOD]

2016, on the basis that it got us to that GF we only dreamed of, and the fact, it was against a team I absolutely despise.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

2016

[FrediKanoute]

2016 still chokes me up. It was an emotional win, almost like beating Brissy the week before because another minute and game could have gone the other way.

2021 was a masterclass in pressure possession football. AS a team we collectively just didn't give Port a look in save for a 10 minute patch in the 3rd quarter.

[boydogs]

2016 exceeded expectations, we had to scrap, improvise, play injured, defy the odds

2021 was a better performance but not as exhilirating

I feel like 2021 is adding to the 2016 legacy, showing it wasn't a fluke, or umpiring, or 3rd man up, we have underperformed since then rather than 2016 being one out of the box

[Jeanette54]

2016 is a game that I have re-watched on DVD far more than any other game in my time as a supporter (since 1958). In fact I still rate it as the best game I have ever seen. It had everything, including Clay Smith's big hit on Ryan Griffin, leading to a Caleb Daniel goal. Bont truly showed his class, calmly controlling that awkwardly bouncing ball from JJ, and never looked liked missing.

Of course, beating the plastic pretenders also had a lot to do with it.

I can only hope the 2021 GF game is equally enjoyable for all us 'Dogs fans.

[MrMahatma]

Hard call. I say 2016 because:
1. Never thought we’d actually make a GF
2. The match was a ripping contest
3. We went on to win the GF

2021 may end up better though. Given the adversity the team faced, and how fun it is to watch us flog a team…
…but if we don’t win the GF, the prelim will prob never get watched again.

[bornadog]

2016 all the way, but in pure footy terms, 2021 thrashing a team in a prelim is really unbelievable good footy.