"You don't want to be playing your best football at this point of the season" is an old adage that is thrown around among fans and pundits alike at this point of the year.
Sydney and Fremantle are the two clubs flying at the moment, both sitting on a record of 9-1 and at least two wins clear in the top two spots on the ladder. The Dockers, in particular, have found their groove in 2026 and are currently on a nine-game winning streak (an equal club record) after only losing their first match of the season.
Thanks to its early hard work, Fremantle is poised for its first shot at a premiership tilt in more tha a decade, but how have other teams who have had similar red-hot starts fared across the past two decades?
As it turns out, clubs have found long-winning streaks to start the season provide no certainty of success.
3West Coast 2018: Rounds 2-11 (nine wins)
In a similar vein to Hawthorn in 2013, West Coast dropped its opening match of the season before getting on a roll and collecting four points from nine consecutive games.
Adam Simpson's side carried on with their form to finish second on the ladder behind powerhouse Richmond.
The Eagles, like their feathered friends the Hawks, then found glory as they went on to win one of the best grand finals of all time against Collingwood.
