General News
3 September, 2024
The greatest AFL teams in history: The 'Big Four'
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Want to know who to bet on when it comes to the AFL? When punting, it's always good to pay attention to the teams who have a history of taking home the trophies because more times than not they'll be the ones who continue to make history.
Now, there have been many teams who have done well in the AFL, but which AFL teams will forever be remembered as the ones who dominated?
We're going to take a look at the greatest of the greats - the "Big Four" of AFL. Here, you'll see which teams have made their mark so you can learn what to look for in future winning teams.
Who are 'The Big Four' of AFL?
When you hear people talking about the "Big Four" in the AFL, they are not talking about the biggest clubs in the AFL, but rather the four Victorian Clubs just a few of the founding teams of the VFL (Victorian Football League). The VFL later changed to the AFL (Australian Football League) in 1990. The teams that make up the "Big Four" in the AFL are the:
Collingwood Magpies
Carlton Blues
Essendon Bombers
Richmond Tigers
These teams have had a strong rivalry from as far back as the VFL era and have gone down in AFL history as some of the greatest teams due to their winning streaks.
Richmond Tigers
Running just behind Carlton, Essendon and Collington with an impressive 13 Grand Final wins, the Richmond Tigers have definitely made themselves known as one of the most successful teams in the AFL. While the majority of their wins do come from the VFL era, their success is not a thing of the past because they've won the title three times within the last decade.
Collingwood Magpies
One of the oldest teams in AFL history, founded in 1892, the Collingwood Magpies also have a reputation for being the most triumphant team in the league.
This isn't purely in accordance with their age, but rather their consistent presence in the Grand Final and have featured in the Grand Final more than any other team, holding 16 premiership titles. However, they also hold the record for the most Grand Final losses - 29, to be exact.
Even with their losses, no one can deny that it takes a lot of perseverance, determination and wins to get them there in the first place, so it's no wonder the Magpies have arguably the biggest fan base in Australia.
Carlton Blues
The Carlton Blues were originally founded in 1864, and their popularity and success began to escalate in the Victorian Football League (VFL) era. They hold a whopping 16 premiership wins, they stand right alongside the Collingwood Magpies as one of the greatest and most successful teams in the AFL.
While they may not have found their way back to winning the premiership since 1995, their reputation always still precedes them, and being one of the "Big Four" in AFL, they are still one of the teams that everyone keeps an eye on even if they don't make it to the finals.
Essendon Bombers
If there's one thing that you can say about watching Essendon, it's always a blast. The Bombers are right up there with their rivals, the Carton Blues and Collingwood Magpies when it comes to holding victories. Currently, they have 16 premiership wins!
One thing that needs to be noted about their victories is that only 14 of them were Grand Final wins and owe most of their success to the teams in the 80s and 90s. While they have struggled to feature in the premiership since their rebrand in 1990, they still hold their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the AFL.
Are the "Big Four" still the best?
While the "Big Four" dominated the premiership in the past, one always needs to be present, especially punters. As it stands, the Collinton Magpies and Richmond Tigers still dominate the ranks in the AFL, with Collingwood winning the premiership in 2010 and as recent as 2023 and Richmond in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Essendon and Carlton, on the other hand, while still having a big and faithful fanbase, have yet to win a premiership in the past ten years. The last time Essendon made it to the finals was in 2004, and Carlton in 1999.
Final thoughts
The "Big Four" will always be revered for their strong start in the AFL, and big teams like these will continue to make history as they attract a lot of young, fresh talent.
When making a bet, the odds will likely always be in favour of the teams that have a record of winning, but that doesn't mean that they'll always be a done deal. So, always do your homework and check out reliable websites with the best AFL tips.
Gamble responsibly. Contact the Gambling Helpline for free and confidential support, information and counselling on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.