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Throwback Tuesday: Biggest upsets since 2010

Published by
Johaan Forbes-Anthony

We're just six weeks into the 2017 AFL season yet there has already been a number of upsets to keep us on our toes.

So, in no particular order, we've decided to take a look at some of the more memorable upsets in recent history.

Geelong 12.14 (86) def. by Sydney 15.9 (99), Round 23, 2011

The Cats had lost just two matches in 2011 and came into this match with a combined victory margin of 336 points in their past two weeks. They had also not lost to Sydney at then-Skilled Stadium since Round 8, 1999 and not lost to Sydney at all since round 5, 2006.

Adam Goodes was the lone survivor from Sydney 1999 victory and produced a best on ground performance to will the Swans to victory against the eventual premiers.

Richmond 13.10 (88) def by Gold Coast 13.12 (90), Round 16, 2012

Gold Coast had lost 21 games in a row, so it would be a very Richmond thing to do to lose to them in a "home" game up in Cairns. Funnily enough, the Suns' last win was against the Tigers in round 17 the year before.

The Suns jumped out to a six goal lead at half time however the Tigers mounted a comeback that saw them lead by 18 points in the final term.

Gary Ablett lifted as all champions do, finishing with 33 touches as the Suns stormed home. Code-hopper Karmichael Hunt found himself with the ball in his hands after the siren has sounded with the Suns trailing by four points.

He calmly slotted the goal as he was mobbed by teammates.

"Never in doubt, mate", Suns coach Guy McKenna said with a cheeky smile.

Geelong 13.11 (89) def. by Melbourne 18.3 (113), Round 12, 2015

Melbourne's memories of Kardinia Park weren't the fondest but they'd have come away from their game in 2015 in much higher spirits.

They ended their 10-year winless drought at Simonds Stadium - which included a 186-point shellacking in 2011 - with a 24-point win in Corey Enright's 300th AFL game.

Jeff Garlett kicked four goals for the Dees while Bernie Vince and Nathan Jones were dominant in midfield with 73 disposals and 18 clearances between them.

Bernie Vince during the round 12 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Demons at Simonds Stadium on June 21, 2015 in Geelong, Australia.

Essendon 11.14 (80) def. Melbourne 10.7 (67), Round 2, 2016

Missing 12 players due to anti-doping suspensions, Essendon weren't expected to win many, if any games in 2016.

In round 1, they lost to the Suns by 61 points and came up against a revitalised Demons side ready to march up the ladder. Or so we thought.

The under-manned Bombers saw their young stars shine on the MCG as Zach Merrett's 32-disposal, eight-tackle performance led the way to the 13-point victory.

Greater Western Sydney 15.9 (99) def. Sydney 9.13 (67), Round 1, 2014

They'd just made a grand final and had recruited arguably the game's most influential player in Buddy Franklin. Their 2014 season wasn't meant to begin like this.

The Swans travelled to Spotless Stadium and were embarrassed by their younger brother to the tune of 32 points as the Giants pulled off their best and most famous victory in their short history.

They smashed the Swans in the clearance battle (55-37) as Stephen Coniglio, Adam Treloar and Callan Ward showed the AFL world that this was a giant on the rise.

Gold Coast 15.8 (98) def. Carlton 11.20 (86), Round 22, 2012

Pre-game, the Suns were paying $13.60 to win.

This was a game where not even your dumbest mate would put the Suns in a multi.

The Blues had 74 more touches of the Sherrin, eight more clearances, 13 more tackles and 23 more inside 50s, yet still managed to lose the game.

Now-co-captain Tom Lynch kicked four goals as Gary Ablett and Harley Bennell were influential for the Suns in midfield in a famous upset for one of the AFL's newest clubs.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Campbell Brown (R) of the Suns celebrates with team mate Gary Ablett after kicking a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Carlton Blues at Metricon Stadium on August 25, 2012 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Geelong 11.14 (80) def. by Fremantle 14. 12 (96), Elimination Final, 2012

The perennial contender against a full-time underdog.

It was sixth vs seventh on the ladder however with the Cats coming off a flag in 2011, they were still widely expected to venture deep into September.

Enter, Matthew Pavlich. If you didn't already love the Fremantle superstar (something was seriously wrong with you), you were definitely about to. He finished the game with one good ankle and six goals, including the sealer late in the fourth term that extinguished Geelong's comeback after previously trailing by as much as 44 points in the second quarter.

Geelong 9.18 (72) def. by Fremantle 12. 15 (87), Qualifying Final, 2013

In contrast to their previous match up the year before, the Dockers trailed by almost four goals midway through the second term but managed to find a way to overcome the Cats at their fortress at Kardinia Park.

It was only Fremantle's second win at Simonds Stadium in the club's history, and the Dockers became just the second team to defeat Geelong at the venue since round 21, 2007, as Ross Lyon's decision to rest half his side the week before paid dividends.

The win would sit as the club's greatest in their 19-year history.

2016 Western Bulldogs Finals Series

They beat the Eagles in Perth.
They beat the three-time reigning premiers.
They beat the up and coming Giants in Sydney.
Then, to cap it all off, they beat the highly-fancied Swans to complete the ultimate underdog story.

2016 was the year of the underdog in global sports but none hit home more than the story of the Bulldogs.

After coming up short in nine of their previous 10 preliminary finals and having not won a flag since 1954, without their inspirational captain, they produced on the biggest stage of them all.

Robert Murphy and Easton Wood of the Bulldogs hold up the the premiership cup during the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 01, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Published by
Johaan Forbes-Anthony