Swans hold an all-time, all-national record!

[SimonH]

This is a very interesting and comprehensive site containing not all kinds of statistical records, not just in relation to the VFL/AFL, but all kinds of top level state (and territory)-based leagues from around the country.

There are some pretty amazing records that exist, e.g. 4 teams in the comp now known as Sydney AFL have gone through matches scoreless-- three of those in consecutive years 1984-6-- and they are the only 4 matches where a top-level state league side has gone scoreless for the last 100 years!

So to come absolute #1 of a record, across Australia, across the entire 130-odd year history of organised Aussie rules competition, is no mean feat. The Swans' reserves hold the record for the longest consecutive winning streak, ever, anywhere. 60 matches, 2005-2007. By knocking off the 2nds in round 1, 2008, Queanbeyan notched themselves into the record books.

And for the pessimists/masochists: no, the Swans' disastrous early '90s run doesn't rate at all in terms of the longest losing streak. Even among the records of VFL/AFL clubs it doesn't get a podium position:

• St Kilda lost 51 matches in a row across VFA and then VFL 1896-1900 (wasn't the VFL meant to be a breakaway comp of the strongest teams in the VFA?)
• University lost 51 matches in a row from 1912-1914, shortly before deciding that leaving the VFL might be a nice idea
• North Melbourne lost 33 matches in a row 1933-35 (when their rivals from the south end of town were doing quite nicely, thank you).

Far worse than just losing lots of matches across 2 or 3 years, is the fact that South Melbourne are 2nd on the all-time list of most consecutive years out of the finals: 24 years from the end of the bloodbath up to 1969. Only Hawthorn are worse, running to 33 years without September action 1924-1956 including their dying days in the VFA.

[ugg]

Actually Simon, if you notice the title of the relevant section, the Swans (Reserves) hold the longest unbeaten sequence, rather than the greatest winning streak.

Brownie points to anyone who can explain why this difference matters.

[goswannie14]

I'm guessing a draw, a forfeit or a bye.

[AnnieH]

Love ya work Simon.
You can go out and get a bit of sun now.

[liz]

Actually Simon, if you notice the title of the relevant section, the Swans (Reserves) hold the longest unbeaten sequence, rather than the greatest winning streak.

Brownie points to anyone who can explain why this difference matters.

Probably refers to the game against Western Creek where they swapped players around and was later voided. I think it ended in a tie, anyway, didn't it?

[573v30]

It's still a record to be proud of.

[goswannie14]

Probably refers to the game against Western Creek where they swapped players around and was later voided. I think it ended in a tie, anyway, didn't it?

I forgot about that game Liz. That would explain it.

[ugg]

Partial marks to goswannie14, almost full marks to liz, it was Weston not Western Creek

As far as I can recall, WC did forfeit the match, i.e. gave the 4 points to the Swans and played the mixed teams but the bureaucrats down at Canberra were having none of that and declared the result null and void.

[timtayla]

I will let my staints mate know,
good stats.


Thanks Tim