Kane Cornes has ranked every premiership team since 2000.

These rankings are based on who Cornes believes simply had the best list, the best group of players, the best team.

The romantic storylines and the fairytale nature of some of these Grand Final triumphs have not been considered.

The teams have been ranked from 26 to 1.

Cornes’ premiership rankings

26 - Western Bulldogs (2016)

“A remarkable story to break a 62-year drought,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“But they only had two All-Australians that year, both on the bench - Matt Boyd and the Bont.

“They just had role players everywhere - Hamling, Biggs, Picken, Cordy, McLean, Roberts, Dahlhaus, Roughead, Dickson.

“There was no doubt they were favoured by the umpires in the Grand Final win over Sydney.”

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25 - Sydney (2005)

“I don’t know how they won a premiership looking through this list of 22 that played on that day.

“They broke a 72-year premiership drought. They beat West Coast in an epic Grand Final after averaging 68 points in the finals series.

“This speaks to what a master coach Paul Roos was and how well drilled and tough they were.

“But with names like Saddington, Roberts-Thomson, Bolton, Mathews, Fosdike, Buchanan, Jolly, Schneider, Dempster, Ablett.

“Other than Adam Goodes and Barry Hall at this stage of their careers - Ryan O’Keefe, Nick Davis and Micky O’Loughlin were excellent players - but the star factor was Hall and Goodes.

“It was remarkable that this team won a premiership. They played contested and accountable, but barely any stars anywhere.”

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24 - Richmond (2017)

“They also broke a drought, 37 years, off the back of a 13th placed finish win 2016.

“They had two All-Australians (Alex Rance and Dustin Martin) that year and it was the emergence of one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen with one of the best individual years (Martin).

“Hosted a Qualifying Final when they didn’t deserve it and beat Geelong. They definitely had some fortune to have that game played in front of 70 per cent of your fans on your home deck.

“The year was built off swarming front-half pressure, almost revolutionised the game with that tactic and everyone tried to copy it.

“It’s remarkable that this group won. A different story as they went on to build this dynasty but when looking through the names - Astbury, Grimes turned out to be an excellent player but at that stage probably wasn’t, Ellis, Grigg, Lambert, Butler, Caddy, Edwards, Broad, Graham, McIntosh - a lot of role payers.

“A great story because it was a pivotal moment for the club. But in terms of superstars throughout the lineup at that stage in 2017, they weren’t there, other than the emergence of Dusty.”

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23 - Richmond (2020)

“That was a strange year.

“At the Gabba in that Grand Final Dustin Martin turned it on again.

“But I don’t think they were the best team that year.”

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22 - Collingwood (2010)

“They won the premiership in a rematch after drawing with St Kilda.

“They actually had four All-Australians that year - Heritier Lumumba, Alan Didak, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury.

“They won a lot of games but I think if you’re looking through their lineup and the journeyman and the role players - Brown, Toovey, Ben Johnson, Jolly, Macaffer, Wellingham, Goldsack.

“I don’t think that was a strong lineup, and if the ball had bounced a different way then they may not be premiers.

“I think it’s the right ranking for them. They played 18 games at the MCG that year including the last 11 so I just deduct points for that.”

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21 - Hawthorn (2008)

“This is the young Hawks who had an average age of 22.7 which was one of the youngest lists.

“Buddy Franklin was 21 and kicked 100, they had two All-Australians - Luke Hodge and Franklin.

“It was the first year of the revolutionary Clarko’s Cluster.

“They beat Geelong and were $3.75 in a two-horse race to win that game. It was the start of the dynasty they would go on, but definitely ahead of their time.

“Young, Renouf, Ellis, Guerra, Ladson, Gilham, Campbell, these are some of the names that won a premiership in this year.”

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20 - Sydney (2012)

“The Hawks were hot favourites and Sydney were outsiders.

“They only had two All-Australians, Ted Richards was an unlikely All-Australian, and Josh Kennedy was a star.

“Adam Goodes was 33 this year so it wasn’t the prime version of him.

“Hawthorn’s inaccuracy hurt them kicking 11.15 after being the minor premiers and the highest scoring team so they would feel like that was one that got away.

“When you look at the Swans’ names - Smith, Johnson, Mattner, Malceski, Jack, Roberts-Thomson, McGlynn, Pyke, Bird, Fosdike, Morton.”

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19 - West Coast (2018)

“I give extra credit for interstate teams, particularly if you come from Perth, and you win a premiership. Should be worth one and a half premierships I reckon.

“They conceded the first five goals, then Jack Darling dropped an easy mark and you thought that this moment had got a bit too big for them.

“Andrew Gaff, Nic Naitanui and Brad Sheppard all missed the Grand Final so you’ve got to factor that in. They had the two All-Australians that played - Gaff was AA this year, and they had Jeremy McGovern and Shannon Hurn.

“Some of the names - Schofield, Jetta, Cole, Redden, Hutchings, Vardy, Venables.”

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18 - Melbourne (2021)

“It was another interesting year which was still affected by COVID.

“The themes of what I’ve been doing so far to this point is that’s been a lot of role players, but this team was built on stars.

“They had five All-Australians that year - Clayton Oliver in his prime, Christian Petracca in his prime, Max Gawn was captain of the AA team, Jake Lever and Steven May just sensational.

“It was Kozzy Pickett and Luke Jackson’s first year, so great drafting from the Demons. First premiership in 57 years.

“I probably took a couple of points off because it was a weird year, whether that’s fair or not…”

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17 - Port Adelaide (2004)

“Added points for knocking off the three-time champs going for four (Brisbane Lions).

“Two All-Australians in that year. Warren Tredrea was the best centre half-forward in football for four years in a row - a destructive force who was absolutely in his prime. Chad Cornes got his first AA playing a new role across centre half-back.

“Some players that were stars but through injury or whatever reason probably didn’t get the accolades they deserved. Roger James was a star footballer, Stuey Dew in his absolute prime, Byron Pickett won the Norm Smith Medal.

“The team was built around some recruits like Damien Hardwick, Darryl Wakelin and Brett Montgomery. We were without Josh Francou and Matthew Primus, and Brendon Lade was really under the weather leading in.

“We knocked off the champs and we were dominant force throughout a four-year period. In the home and away season.”

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16 - Brisbane (2024)

“They went 14-8-1. They finished fifth and became only the second team to win the premiership from outside the top four.

“It was a remarkable season. They had a couple of All-Australians in Neale and Zorko, but they had injuries everywhere, mainly ACLs.

“Coleman, Doedee, Gardiner and McCarthy were injured, and it was all about the comeback in the finals series. “They were 44 down midway through that third term in the semi against the Giants and then four goals down against Geelong in that prelim before smacking Sydney in the Grand Final.

“But they were so talented.”

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15 - Collingwood (2023)

“At 15, I’ve got Collingwood of 2023.

“Nick Daicos was injured in Round 21, and he only came back for the prelim final and was able to fit pretty well straight back in. He had had 28 in the prelim final and had nearly 30 in the Grand Final.

“They had three All-Australians, Darcy Moore, and both of the Daicos boys.

“The home and away was strong. They finished 1st at 18-5.

“They were the Globetrotters. They moved the ball so freely off halfback. We loved the way that they played, and Craig McCrae captivated us by his new age coaching style.”

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14 - Geelong (2011)

“At 14, I've got Geelong in 2011, that it was their 3rd Premiership in 5 years.

“It was the first year of Chris Scott. They had three All-Australian selections with Scarlett, Enright and Kelly.

“They won the first 13 games of the season in that year and were a dominant home and away side.

“They ended up finishing second at 19-3 and they were the only side that Collingwood lost to for the whole year.

“It was also the first year without Gaz, so to be able to dot hat without him was a remarkable effort.”

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13 - Brisbane (2025)

“At 13, I've got Brisbane last year.

“It's amazing when you looked at their emergencies on the Grand Final day last year. That's why they were prepared to roll the dice with Lachie Neale, because they had no one left.

“They were without Answerth, Coleman, Doedee, Hipwood, McCarthy and Payne.

“Neale had his battles, and no Daniher who was in his first year of retirement. There was no one left. They were depleted.

“They went into the Grand Final underdogs, but they were able to get it done.

“They went 16-6-1 in the home and away season to finished third. But for them to be able to back up and do what they did, there is absolutely extra points for this amazing Brisbane side, which is chock full of young and old talent.

“They have great resilience, this team.”

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12 - Geelong (2022)

“At 12, I've got Geelong of 2022.

“They were a dominant home and away team at 18-4. they finished first, and they were destroying teams in the finals series.

“They beat Brisbane by 71 in a prelim and they then smashed Sydney in the Grand Final by 81.

“They won 16 straight to finish the season, this Geelong side, and they were the third oldest Grand Final team.

“They had five All-Australians in Tom Hawkins, Tyson Stengle, Jeremy Cameron, Mark Blicavs and Tom Stewart.

“They were a remarkable team, and it is a credit to them to be so high on this list.”

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11 - Richmond (2019)

“If you’re up this end you’re a bloody good team.

“The 2019 Richmond premiership side comes in at 11. I think this was the best of the three (Tigers flags).

“They absolutely smashed teams in the finals. They beat Brisbane in the Qualifying Final by 47, beat Geelong by 19 in the Prelim and then the disastrous Grand Final for the Giants.

“They only had two All-Australians with Dylan Grimes and Bachar Houli, but they finished the season winning 12 in a row. They really kicked into gear when the business end came.

“What a team over a number of years but I think this was the best of them - Cotchin, Lynch, Riewoldt all in their prime, Vlastuin, Houli had an unbelievable finals series, Rioli was up and flying and the one and only Dustin Martin doing what he was doing.

“A very, very good team.”

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10 - Hawthorn (2014)

“This has a little bit of bias to it because we (Port Adelaide) played them in the prelim that year, we kicked 3.9 in the first quarter and they ended up winning by three points.

“I thought they were beatable. As good as they were I thought they had a few chinks in their armour. They won four games by under 10 points so they were the kings of the close finish.

“They had three All-Australians - Jordan Lewis, Luke Breust and Jarryd Roughead, who had an unbelievable year without Buddy (Lance Franklin), kicking 75 goals.

“The way they were able to handle Franklin’s exit, you give them extra points.

“It was the year Clarko had a bit of a health crisis as well, so the maturity of the team being able to handle him missing for five games.

“They were the highest scoring team in the league that year. Extra points for going back-to-back because it’s so difficult to do.”

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9 - West Coast (2006)

“They had four All-Australians - Darren Glass, Ben Cousins, Chris Judd and Dean Cox.

“They were very good in close games winning six games by 10 points or less.

“This team has three all-timers in Cox, Cousins and Judd. Gee, they had some good players. Glass was a good player, Daniel Kerr at the peak of his powers.

“I really liked this team, they were well balanced with good role players like Selwood, Jones; Braun and Fletcher were good players, Wirrpanda was a very good player, Stenglein played an important defensive role through the midfield, Embley won the Norm Smith on the wing.

“Perhaps a little bit higher than some people would have had them. But for the star factor and the all-timers they had and the destructive midfield they come in at nine.”

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8 - Hawthorn (2015)

“They actually lost the first final to West Coast by 32 points.

“They had three All-Australians - Josh Gibson, Cyril Rioli and Sam Mitchell - and they had stars everywhere.

“When you win three in a row you’ve got be right up there. I’m sure some people would have had this team higher but I’ve got them at eight.

“Great players everywhere - Roughead, Hodge, Burgoyne, Gibson, and some big time performers. Cyril Rioli, Brad Hill was a good player, Birchall was a good player

“The all-conquering Hawks at eight. To win three in a row is almost impossible.”

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7 - Brisbane (2003)

“This was the weakest of the three-peat which is incredible to think an interstate team with all that travel and workload won three in a row.

“This was a side that was starting to get wounded and banged up - Lappin, Lynch, Brown all starting to feel the effects of the way that they played and the long campaigns.

“In my research I read that Leigh Matthews said in that Grand Final the club’s medicos used 18 vials of painkillers. Whether that’s myth or fact, I don’t know, but it makes sense.

“They won on pure grit, toughness and experience. Three All-Australians that year - Justin Leppitsch, Nigel Lappin and Michael Voss.

“Of the three of their premierships, that was the one that was the weakest.”

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6 - Hawthorn (2013)

“This was a powerful unit.

“The thing I loved about this team was the motivation that they had from 2012 (loss to Sydney). You hear all the players from this team speak about how much 2012 hurt, and how they wanted to make a statement.

“Just two All-Australians that year - Sam Mitchell and Jarryd Roughead. So some were overlooked or maybe that’s just a sign of how even they were.

“It’s a very good side and six is pretty high out of 26 teams.”

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5 - Brisbane (2001)

“They were the team that knocked off the Essendon side who had only lost two games in two years. If it bleeds you can kill it.

“They went on a 16-game winning streak and had four All-Australians. The ‘fab four’ absolutely arrived - Jason Akermanis, Michael Voss, Simon Black and Nigel Lappin.

“It was Jonathan Brown’s second season. He was so crucial to how they structured up with his physicality.

“Just a tough, angry, hard and brilliant side.”

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4 - Geelong (2009)

“This was difficult.

“This was maybe one of the most stacked teams you’ve ever seen. They had five All-Australians - Corey Enright, Matthew Scarlett, Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman and Gary Ablett - and also had three other players nominated.

“This team stacks up against anyone. Where is the weakness in this team?

“I’ve got them at four and it might be the most stacked team there is. It’s a very good football team but there is one Geelong team that I think is better.”

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3 - Essendon (2000)

“The third best premiership side this century. Some are going to be unhappy with this.

“They set the record for the most consecutive wins in a single season with 20. They won the pre-season cup, the minor premiership and the premiership in the same year.

“Their average winning margin was 51 points. They had four All-Australians - Dustin Fletcher, Damien Hardwick, James Hird and Matthew Lloyd - and ‘Sheeds’ (Kevin Sheedy), the legend, was named coach of the year.

“Deducted points because whilst this exercise was just for that year, I had to split them somehow. So the teams that won more than one in that era just got extra points.

“Was there just a weakness in the midfield for this group? Comparing the other midfields to the other teams at the top. Misiti, Heffernan, Blumfield, Jason Johnson - is that as good? If this group went up against the next teams we’re about to talk about, who would win?

“I personally think they’d get, not obliterated, but sorted out in the midfield.

“But they were tough, they were hard, they were intimidating. They’re the third best team this century so it’s pretty good.

“They just weren’t able to capitalise the dominance and parlay this one win into two, three or four.”

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2 - Brisbane (2002)

“They defeated Collingwood by nine points in one of the most brutal wet weather Grand Finals you’ve ever seen.

“They had five All-Australians - Jason Akermanis, Simon Black, Chris Johnson, Nigel Lappin and Michael Voss.

“This was an unbelievable football team, this was the best of the Lions’ three flags.

“If you put this group up against the 2000 Essendon side, Brisbane win if all things are equal. This midfield group led by the ‘Fab Four’ and the forward line they had - Brown, Bradshaw, Lynch, the smalls running around and their goal-kicking midfielders was freakish.

“They have just been nudged out by the 2007 Geelong group.”

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1 - Geelong (2007)

“I think this is the best team this century.

“They had nine All-Australians - Gary Ablett Jnr, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Matty Egan, Stevie Johnson, Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn, Cam Mooney and Matt Scarlett - and Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson was the coach.

“They smashed teams in the finals, they beat North Melbourne by 106 in the Qualifying Final, they got through in a tight Prelim Final and then smashed Port Adelaide by a record Grand Final margin (119 point).

“I’m not sure a team will do that again, win two of the three finals by 100-plus points.

“They had guns absolutely everywhere and this was the best team, headlined by their group of nine All-Australians.

“This was the best team of them all.”

Cornes has some inconsistent metrics in his rankings here

He refers to winning margins in finals as a reason why certain teams are ranked highly, but I think outside of the 2000 Bombers and 2007 Cats we had the best winning margins across a finals series

We also had five All Australians which is several more than many teams ranked above us, as well as a very strong 17-4-1 home and away record, which, again, is better than many teams above us

The COVID-19 argument is also disingenuous, as half the season was played as normal (as compared to almost a full season in 2020)

Do I think we were the best Premiership side of the 2000s? No, but however you look at it we were one of the most dominant teams in a finals series since the AFL began, and I think that flag is often underrated the pundits (and even some supporters)

50 minutes ago, demoncat said:

Cornes has some inconsistent metrics in his rankings here

He refers to winning margins in finals as a reason why certain teams are ranked highly, but I think outside of the 2000 Bombers and 2007 Cats we had the best winning margins across a finals series

We also had five All Australians which is several more than many teams ranked above us, as well as a very strong 17-4-1 home and away record, which, again, is better than many teams above us

The COVID-19 argument is also disingenuous, as half the season was played as normal (as compared to almost a full season in 2020)

Do I think we were the best Premiership side of the 2000s? No, but however you look at it we were one of the most dominant teams in a finals series since the AFL began, and I think that flag is often underrated the pundits (and even some supporters)

I agree demoncat.

Whatever his metrics are, our Grand Final performance itself in my view should put us in Cornes' top 5, but he wouldn't dare: 16 goals 4 behinds v 1 goal 1 behind in 45 minutes of football, an explosion of dominant attacking football not seen before, certainly not on the last Saturday of September, in a Grand Final with the weight of history and expectation bearing down on the players, threatening to suffocate them (and us!), particularly when the Dogs got up by 19 points in the middle of that third quarter.

How many times have we seen a lesser team capitulate in a Grand Final once losing momentum and getting behind like that?

Geelong's great 2007 side - and they were great - were not headed at all v Port Adelaide when they won their drought-breaking premiership.

SEN really are trawling for footy content, aren’t they?

Hutchy set to buy ninefax radio licenses too

I'll eat my own face if there's any reality where Collingwood of 2023 were better than us in 2021. I'd ranked the Pies of 2023 as lucky to even win a flag, let alone be ranked higher than teams with average winning margins 50+ points higher. They were categorically weak by any metric.

Well done Kornes for getting me fired up as always with your shock jock obviously stupid and incorrect rage bait!

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

“It was Kozzy Pickett and Luke Jackson’s first year, so great drafting from the Demons. First premiership in 57 years.

“I probably took a couple of points off because it was a weird year, whether that’s fair or not…”

Once he finds out it wasn't Pickett and Jackson's first year he'll take more points off.

In consistent all right. We had similar win/loss record in 2021 as Geelong in 2022 and he ranks us 18 Vs them at 12. We absolutely annihilated that same Geelong side in 2021 prelim and our 2022 ans 2023 finals losses were generally by pretty small margins, so to me that gives a better metric of where we should sit compared to that premiership in realitive terms.

I really couldn’t care less about these kinds of rankings. Why care about teams that performed well in the past, when we should be more concerned about how our current team will perform from round one onwards.

Cornes obviously has too much time on his hands.

Pies 2023 umpire assisted.

Lions should be going for 4 in a row.