It's believed that the best team always wins the premiership...but is that true?

Is it sometimes the best side for the year, but can also simply be the best team on the day. That's the intrigue a finals series brings.

Countless times we have seen a season's most dominant team fall short - the minor premiers not carry their form into finals.

There's a reason the team that finishes on top of the ladder is awarded the 'minor' premiership. You have to be able to do it when the whips are cracking in September... or in October this year

Speaking on Channel Seven's Armchair Experts, Adam Cooney listed his five best teams to never win a premiership.

4. Essendon (1999)

The Bombers dominated the 1999 season and were destined for greatness. Until they were knocked off by eighth-placed Carlton by one point in the preliminary final.

"They lost Hirdy early in the year with a foot injury. They just didn't get it done."