what was the challenge system and how did it favour the pies?
From Wiki:
Second amended Argus system (1907–1930)
The second version of the amended Argus system was used between 1907 and 1930, except 1924. This is the most widely known variation of the Argus system.
The structure of the finals was mostly the same as the first amended Argus system, except that the right to challenge was given to the Minor Premier, as defined by the team on top of the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season, and the two semi-finals were shifted onto separate weekends, extending the duration of the finals from two or three weeks to three or four weeks. The sectional rounds were abandoned in 1908 when the league expanded to ten teams.
Week One: the First Semi-Final was played between 2nd vs 4th.
Week Two: the Second Semi-Final was played between 1st vs 3rd.
Week Three: a final was played between Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2
If Minor Premier won the Week Three final, then that team was immediately awarded the Major Premiership. In these cases, the final in week three has retrospectively become known as the Grand Final.
If the winner of the Week Three final was not the Minor Premier, then the finals progress to Week Four. The final in week three became known as either the Final or the Preliminary Final.
Week Four: the Grand Final was played between Minor Premier vs Winner Final
The winner of this match became the Major Premier for the season.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_VFL_finals_systemsIn 1919 we finished 4th, beat Sth Melb in our Semi Final and then beat Collingwood in the Minor Final but because Collingwood finished on top they had the right to challenge and beat us the following week.
In 1929 we finished 3rd, beat Collingwood in our Semi Final and then beat Carlton in the Minor Final but because Collingwood finished on top they had the right to challenge and beat us the following week.
Any wonder we hate them.