Big 4 have never been worse as a group (Foxsports)

[one-eyed]

AFL’s big four Victorian teams, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond have never been worse as a group

Max Laughton
Foxsports
31 August 2016

THINGS have never been worse for the ‘big four’.

Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond may have been surpassed by Hawthorn in the membership stakes, but thanks to history the quartet are still considered the biggest clubs in Victoria.

But while New South Wales readies itself for a local derby in the finals and half of both South Australia and Western Australia prepare for the Crows and Eagles to challenge for the flag, most Victorian footy fans are being left out in the cold.

That’s especially true if you’re a fan of the Blues, Magpies, Bombers or Tigers — because unless you enjoy schaudenfraude, you didn’t enjoy the 2016 season.

They have combined for 57 VFL/AFL premierships and as of the most recent count, had a combined 254,545 members this season.

But in 2016 those four famous clubs also combined for their worst collective season in league history.

The big four totalled 27 wins and 61 losses this season for a winning percentage of 30.68 — the lowest ever recorded. That surpassed last year’s effort, where a finals berth for Richmond kept the group’s percentage just below 40.

Before this season, the big four’s worst ever year was 2005, when they made up four of the bottom five and combined for 27 wins and a draw.

This year marks just the 25th time the group as won less than 50 per cent of its game in league history — but 13 of those seasons have come since 1999.

SEASONS WITH WORST COMBINED WIN PERCENTAGE FOR ‘BIG FOUR’

2016: 30.68%

2005: 31.25%

2007: 34.89%

2006: 38.54%

2004: 38.54%

2015: 39.77%

1961: 40.28%

2002: 40.43%

2003: 44.08%

1998: 44.32%

Stat credit: @rogersresults

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afls-big-four-victorian-teams-carlton-collingwood-essendon-and-richmond-have-never-been-worse-as-a-group/news-story/24507a0a654e257ba801dd07ffb99954