GRAND FINAL HICCUPS

Things look good for the Sharks and Bulldogs if the record of minor premiers is anything to go by in 2016. The minor premiers of every major AFL and NRL state league have bitten the dust with defeat and the pair will be looking to keep that trend going this weekend. Mind you, these teams didn’t have monkeys on their backs anywhere in the realm of some minor premiers. Here’s how they fared. Aussie rules VFL — Casey Scorpions lost GF NEAFL — Sydney Swans lost SANFL — Woodville WestTorrens lost GF WAFL — Subiaco Lions lost GF AFL — Sydney Swans? League QRL — Redcliffe Dolphins lost to Burleigh Bears (2nd) in GF (* The Northern Pride in 2014 are the only minor premiers to go on and win the grand final in the past 15 seasons) NSWRL — Mounties lost to lllawarra Cutters (2nd) in GF CDRL — Innisfail did not qualify, won by Ivanhoes (2nd) NRL — Melbourne Storm ? Football NPLQ — Brisbane Strikers did not qualify for GF NPL Vic — Bentleigh Greens did not qualify for GF NPLNSW — Sydney United 58 lost in GF