The weird two-decade stat trend which could continue in 2020

Terry Wallace has revealed a weird four-year AFL quirk which will make Port Adelaide fans very happy.

Every four years since 2000, the side who has finished on top of the ladder at the end of Round 1 has gone on to win the premiership in that year.

Wallace explained how the unique stat has played out over the last 20 years.

“Every four years in the AFL, how you start the season is actually how you finish it and it only happens every four years,” he said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“Let’s go back to the 2000 season, coming off the 1999 preliminary final loss against Carlton Essendon came out and absolutely blitzed round one and they were on top of the ladder.

“What happened at the end of that year? They won the premiership.

“Every four years this occurs – we go to 2004, Port Adelaide had been around the mark so they were determined that Brisbane’s (dominance) was over and it was their turn so how did they start Round 1 that year … top of the ladder and then they won the premiership.

“We roll on to 2008 and we have Clarkson’s mob who are just getting themselves ready to become a side. It was in Round 1 where we saw Clarko’s cluster for the first time and they beat Melbourne by about 100 points. They finished that round top of the ladder and were premiers.

“Sydney Swans who are notoriously poor starters to seasons but not in 2012, they were top of the ladder after Round 1 and went on to win the flag.

“In 2016, it’s the Western Bulldogs this time who were top of the ladder after Round 1 … sure enough the trend continues and the Bulldogs go on and win their second flag in 2016.

“We’re four years now down the track and everyone is asking if this weird occurrence will occur.

“Who was top at the end of Round 1? It was Port Adelaide so they’ve got 20 years of history in favour of them.

Ken Hinkley and his high-flying Port Adelaide side, who are currently a game on top of the ladder, will be hoping the trend continues.