Jordan Dawson (centre) and Adelaide return to the scene of last year's finals disappointment to see just how much they have grown. (Getty Images: Matt King)
Every week it seems like there is history being written in the AFL.
Some of this is welcomed, memorable and celebrated, such as when Scott Pendlebury broke the games record earlier this year, or when Lance Franklin notched the 1,000-goal mark in 2022.
Moments like these are cherished throughout each club's fanbase and reflects the long history of the league and sport.
Other slices of history are far more trivial. Last week, Sam Walsh set the record for the most disposals in the Wildcard Finals round. While the stat is interesting, it is not necessarily illustrative of a feat of great importance.
Nonetheless, it provides colour to the rich tapestry that is Australian football.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is hoping to avoid an unwanted slice of history this weekend. (Getty Images: Michael Willson)
And there are some feats that players and coaches avoid like the plague.
Many football fans know the tale of Kevin Murray. The former Roys stalwart managed to play 333 games, all without winning a single final — a league record.
While his career was rich and storied, eventually earning him Legend status in the Hall of Fame, the achievement underscored the futility of playing for Fitzroy through most of the second half of the 20th century.
Though never winning a VFL final, Murray did manage to play in a finals win during a lucrative mid-career stint at East Perth in 1966 on the way to a losing Grand Final against Perth.
This Saturday night Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is set to, at least temporarily, claim his own slice of footballing ignominy.
Nicks will join Alec Hall as the coaches to steer their sides through the most VFL/AFL games without winning a final.
For those who don't immediately recognise the name Alec Hall, his last game as coach came more than a century ago.
Over the last two years Nicks's Crows have won the second most regular season games. Last year's minor premiership season was cut short with a straight sets exit.
