Power and Bombers Share Unwanted AFL Grand Final Drought Record

Ivan Soldo’s retirement has created an unwanted piece of AFL history — Port Adelaide now join Essendon as the only two clubs without a single active grand final player on their lists.

Power’s Grand Final Drought Deepens

The big ruckman’s decision to hang up the boots removes the last connection between Port Adelaide’s current squad and AFL’s biggest stage. Soldo played in Richmond’s 2019 and 2020 premiership teams before crossing to Alberton, but his retirement severs that vital grand final experience thread.

Port Adelaide’s last grand final appearance came in their 2007 defeat to Geelong, making them one of the competition’s longest-suffering clubs when it comes to September’s ultimate prize. The Power have made preliminary finals in recent years but haven’t been able to take that final step.

Bombers Share the Unwanted Record

Essendon remains the other club in this exclusive club nobody wants to join. The Bombers’ grand final drought stretches back to their 2001 loss to Brisbane, with their last premiership coming in 2000 under Kevin Sheedy.

Both clubs now face the psychological challenge of building grand final-ready squads without any current players who’ve experienced the pressure and intensity of that final Saturday in September. While experience isn’t everything, having players who’ve been there before often proves invaluable in crucial moments.

Building Without Big-Game Experience

The absence of grand final experience doesn’t doom either club’s premiership hopes, but it highlights the challenge ahead. Modern football’s salary cap and list turnover means clubs can quickly transform their fortunes — just look at how quickly sides like Melbourne went from also-rans to premiers.

Both Port Adelaide and Essendon will be hoping their current crops can create new grand final memories rather than rely on inherited wisdom. With betting on the AFL markets already setting early odds for next season, both clubs know they’ll need to prove themselves worthy contenders through performance rather than pedigree.

The question now becomes: which club will break free from this unwanted record first?

JS — Breaking news reporter, australiafootball.com