As they prepare to enter those uncharted waters against West Coast in Perth, we take a look back at other teams who have (since the introduction of the top eight finals system in 1994) come from the clouds in September to surprise their supporters.

North Melbourne came from sixth position to make a preliminary final last year. Photo: Getty Images

North Melbourne

Year: 2014

Came From: 6th

How they got there

Elimination Final: Defeated Essendon, 19.9 (93) to 12.9 (81), at the MCG

Semi-Final: Defeated Geelong, 14.14 (98) to 13. 14 (92), at the MCG

Preliminary Final: Lost to Sydney, 19.22 (136) to 9.11 (65), at ANZ Stadium

The teams who have finished in the double chance top-four positions nearly always made it to the preliminary finals. The Roos' effort last year was one exception, though, as they staged a thrilling second-half comeback to over-run the Mark Thompson-coached Bombers in the sixth-versus-seventh knockout. North trailed by 27 points at half-time, but new cult figure Ben Brown emerged with four goals to bring the margin back, before Drew Petrie kicked the final two to seal the deal. The following week, Brad Scott got one up on his twin brother Chris by winning the first finals encounter between the pair and sending third–placed Geelong (who won three more games than the Roos) packing in a straight-sets exit. The preliminary final embarrassment against the Swans is exactly what the Roos are trying avoid in Perth on Saturday night.

Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab celebrates with the Hawks after their win. Photo: Ray Kennedy

Hawthorn

Year: 2001

Came From: 6th

How they got there

Elimination Final: Defeated Sydney, 19.15 (129) to 11.8 (74), at Etihad Stadium

Semi-Final: Defeated Port Adelaide, 10.12 (72) to 10.0 (69), at AAMI Stadium

Preliminary Final: Lost to Essendon, 11.10 (76) to 9.13 (67), at the MCG

After smashing Sydney, the Hawks went to Adelaide for the semi-final on a Saturday night as rank outsiders against the Power, who had finished third and were beginning a sustained period of success that would have them finish as the minor premiers for the next three seasons. With two minutes remaining, Angelo Lekkas somehow found himself all alone in the middle of AAMI Stadium. His pass hit John Barker, who went back and slotted from 45 metres out to secure a famous victory. The Hawks continued their unlikely rise by almost knocking off the minor premiers of that year and the reigning, all-conquering champions of the year before in front of a monster crowd of 86,468. Trent Croad had a shot from outside 50 with 5:50 minutes remaining, which would have given Peter Schwab's team the lead. Had it not famously hit the post, Gerard Healy on commentary surmised that: "I can't help but feel, if Croad's ball goes through the goals, the Hawks win by a goal or two."

A gleeful Fraser Brown celebrates on the final siren. Photo: Ray Kennedy

Carlton

Year: 1999

Came From: 6th

How they got there

Qualifying Final: Lost to Brisbane Lions, 20.18 (138) to 8.17 (65), at the Gabba

Semi-Final: Defeated West Coast, 18.16 (124) to 10.10 (70), at the MCG

Preliminary Final: Defeated Essendon, 16.8 (104) to 14.19 (103), at the MCG

Grand Final: Lost to North Melbourne, 19.10 (124) to 12.7 (89), at the MCG

This road to the big dance could never be repeated, for the Blues only made it through to the second week as a "lucky loser". They were trounced by the third-placed Brisbane Lions in the first final, but then responded by upsetting West Coast in a match that was played at the MCG - despite the fact the Eagles finished higher on the ladder and had surprised the fourth-placed Western Bulldogs the week before. It all came to a head on that fateful day against Essendon. The Blues had won five games less than the Bombers and David Parkin's team had nine less scoring shots on the day. The image of Dean Wallis getting caught by Fraser Brown in the dying seconds is the one that will live on, but Mark Mercuri had had a snap, admittedly in heavy traffic, 20 seconds earlier that would have won the game. So epic was the win, many Carlton supporters weren't particularly fussed about what happened the week after. They had won their grand final seven days earlier.

Adelaide celebrate their incredible 1998 premiership win. Photo: Pat Scala

Adelaide

Year: 1998

Came From: 5th

How they go there

Qualifying Final: Lost to Melbourne, 17.13 (115) to 9.13 (67), at the MCG

Semi-Final: Defeated Sydney, 18.16 (94) to 10.10 (67), at the SCG

Preliminary Final: Defeated Western Bulldogs, 24.17 (161) to 13.15 (93), at the MCG

Grand Final: Defeated North Melbourne, 15.15 (105) to 8.22 (70), at the MCG

Another finals campaign that could never be replicated. On the surface, this was football's version of mission impossible for an interstate club, given the Crows finished the home-and-away season with just one more win than ninth-placed Richmond and had to survive four consecutive finals away from home. But this was the same Adelaide team that won the premiership the year before, so at the time it seemed like nothing was beyond the genius of Malcolm Blight. They had their share of luck. They never had to play fourth-placed Melbourne again after losing to them convincingly in week one because North Melbourne knocked them out in the preliminary final. And the Roos - minor premiers and with the nucleus of a team who would win the flag the year after – kicked themselves out of the grand final after leading by 24 points at half-time. This was the last year a team from outside the top four has the flag. But it has been said by many that if it were to ever happen again, 2015 would be that year.

Swans teammates bury Tony Lockett after his point sealed a famous win over Essendon. Photo: Joe Armao

Essendon

Year: 1996

Came From: 6th

How they got there

Qualifying Final: Lost to Brisbane, 15.11 (101) to 15.10 (100), at Gabba

Semi-Final: Defeated West Coast, 22.12 (144) to 8.19 (67), at the MCG

Preliminary Final: Lost to Sydney, 10.10 (70) to 10.9 (69), at the SCG

Another lucky loser who almost made good. In the end it was a September of heartbreak for Kevin Sheedy's underdogs. In a year when James Hird and Michael Voss shared the Brownlow Medal, the pair faced off in a qualifying final in which John Northey's third-placed Bears (not the Lions) prevailed in a thriller. Gavin Wanganeen had kicked three goals straight up until the final three minutes. From then on, he had two chances to win the game and missed both – the last of which came from an under-pressure snap 15 metres out that hit the post with 14 seconds left. Commentator Ian Robertson called it "the most unbelievable climax we have seen to a match for many, many years". Two weeks later, the Bombers would lose by a point again when Tony Lockett had what Sandy Roberts called "the most important kick of his career" after the siren. With scores tied, "Plugger" launched a shot from inside the centre square that sailed behind the left-hand goal post. Seconds later, his massive frame could not be seen underneath a pile of jubilant Swans teammates.

Carlton brought North Melbourne's finals run to end in 1995. Photo: Vince Caligiuri

North Melbourne

Year: 1995

Came From: 6th

How they got there

Qualifying Final: Defeated Richmond, 17.12 (114) to 12.12 (84), at the MCG

Semi-Final: Defeated West Coast, 18.21 (129) to 10.11 (71), at the MCG

Preliminary Final: Lost to Carlton, 18.10 (118) to 8.8 (56), at the MCG

Another North Melbourne fairytale run brought to an abrupt end in preliminary final week. Twenty years on, Roos supporters hope it is not an omen. North shocked Richmond in the first week of finals to advance (as they did this year), with Wayne Carey living up to his big-game reputation with 5.4, 22 disposals and nine marks. But everyone was just making up the numbers in this September, as Carlton rolled over the Roos and Geelong in successive weeks to win a premiership that their 20-2 home-and-away record deserved.

No blues here: Melbourne captain Garry Lyon celebrates with David Schwarz after their win over Carlton.

Melbourne

Year: 1994

Came From: 7th

How they got there

Qualifying Final: Defeated to Carlton, 18.15 (123) to 14.12 (96), at the MCG

Semi-Final: Defeated Footscray, 21.18 (144) to 9.11 (65), at the MCG

Preliminary Final: Lost to West Coast, 16.21 (117) to 8.4 (52), at Domain Stadium

Those AFL coaches who say the game is as good a spectacle now as it ever was must not take into consideration the early 1990s, when it seemed like every team had three goal-kicking forwards, and recording 120 points-plus even in finals was just par for the course. Demon high-flyer Sean Charles booted five in the win over Carlton and then Garry Lyon kicked 10 (that's right, 10). Melbourne showed no mercy on a Footscray team who were physically burnt out – they were missing several key defenders and couldn't stop Lyon and David Schwarz (12 marks, 26 disposals) – and also mentally, having had the previous week's qualifying final stolen from them by Billy Brownless' goal after the siren. The Demons only trailed the Eagles by two goals in the preliminary final in Perth – the same challenge facing North Melbourne this week – but were outscored seven goals to zero in the third quarter, with Brett Heady running riot with six majors. The Demons were previously the lowest-ranked team to progress to the second last week before North turned the trick this year.