It’s a piece of history we suspect some at Anthony Costa Oval prefer we didn’t bring up.
However, if this history is any guide, one spot in the GFNL Grand Final has already been booked by St Mary’s.
Saturday’s win over Newtown & Chilwell extended the reigning premiers’ unbeaten start to the season to ten wins, making it the 12th occasion a club has started a season with double-digit victories in the competition’s 47-year history.
Of the 11 teams to do it previously, only one – St Joseph’s, which went through the home-and-away season unbeaten in 2024, before losing both finals – has failed to make the decider.
And only one – North Shore in the competition’s inaugural season – has lost the grand final, ironically to St Mary’s,
History also tells us that starting 10-0 means finishing with the minor premiership is almost guaranteed as well.
In 2000, North Shore finished second behind Lara on percentage before beating the Cats in the grand final.
X: @krockfootball
| Year | Club | Record | Home & Away Losses | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | North Shore | 17–1 | Round 18 | Runner-up |
| 1993 | North Shore | 17–1 | Round 20 | Premiers |
| 1997 | North Shore | 17–1 | Round 15 | Premiers |
| 1998 | North Shore | 18–0 | Undefeated | Premiers & Champions |
| 2000 | North Shore | 16–2 | Rounds 14 & 20 | Premiers |
| 2009 | South Barwon | 17–1 | Round 12 | Premiers |
| 2011 | South Barwon | 16–2 | Rounds 11 & 16 | Premiers |
| 2013 | South Barwon | 17–1 | Round 13 | Premiers |
| 2015 | St Joseph’s | 17–1 | Round 16 | Premiers |
| 2017 | St Joseph’s | 18–0 | Undefeated | Premiers |
| 2024 | St Joseph’s | 18–0 | Undefeated | Preliminary Final |
| 2026 | St Mary’s | ? | ? | ? |
