Come on Crank. You and I have been watching footy for a cumulative total of close to 100 years. Yep, Hardwick delivered three flags and Goody one (to date). Hardwick had the best player I've seen in 50 years deliver in the finals - and especially in the grannies. He also had Lynch - who will go close to kicking 600 career goals (all being equal). Without Lynch, they win two flags at best.
I do concede though, we left one on the table last year. If Tom Lynch played for us - we waltz away with the '23 pennant. The margin between success and what might be considered a 'failure', is paper thin (about 5 gsm actually :-)).