Interstate prelim wins no longer a pipe dream for Fremantle and Brisbane
Since 2016, travelling teams won 8 of 16 interstate AFL preliminary finals, nearly even odds.
Winning a preliminary final on the road used to be one of footy's hardest tasks, but recent history gives Fremantle and Brisbane genuine hope this weekend. Since the current finals format began in 2000, travelling teams have a 13-23 record.
Since the pre-finals bye started in 2016, travelling teams are 8-8, nearly even. The bye gives travelling teams a week to prepare instead of playing multiple games back-to-back.
Even though the wildcard finals replaced the bye this year, the top six teams still got a week off. Brisbane has won four of five interstate prelim finals, including wins at the MCG, and this weekend Fremantle face Sydney at the SCG while Brisbane play Hawthorn at the MCG.
- 8 wins, 8 losses
- Travelling record since 2016
- 5 wins, 15 losses
- Travelling record before 2016
- 4 of 5
- Brisbane interstate prelims won
- Since 2016
- Years of pre-finals bye
Why it mattersThe data suggests preparation time matters more than home ground advantage at finals time.
AustraliaAFL fans supporting teams playing away preliminaries can take heart from the improved odds for visitors over the past decade.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 11 d ago
