1987 VFL Grand Final
Encyclopedia
The 1987 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football
game contested between the Carlton Football Club
and Hawthorn Football Club
, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
in Melbourne
on 26 September 1987. It was the 91st annual Grand Final
of the Victorian Football League
, staged to determine the premiers for the 1987 VFL season
. The match, attended by 92,754 spectators, was won by Carlton by a margin of 33 points, marking that club's 15th premiership victory.
by 42 points. Carlton had not won a flag since winning the 1982 VFL Grand Final
.
At the conclusion of the home and away season, Carlton had finished first on the VFL ladder with 18 wins and 4 losses. Hawthorn had finished second with 17 wins and 5 losses.
Carlton had only beaten Hawthorn in two of the last twelve games in which the two teams had met, although they had defeated them most recently in the Second-Semi Final leading up to the Grand Final. The Hawks had advanced to the Grand Final after defeating Sydney
in the first Qualifying Final, and, after the Second-Semi Final, defeated Melbourne
by just two points in the Preliminary Final (with a goal kicked after the final siren) to advance to the Grand Final. The Blues had an easier finals run, advancing straight to the Grand Final after their Second-Semi Final win.
In the week leading up to the Grand Final, Hawthorn's John Platten
was awarded the Brownlow Medal
.
The game was played on a very hot day, with temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius, the hottest day in Grand Final history. It was the only time in 426 games Michael Tuck
wore a sleeveless jumper. The heat was thought to favour Carlton after Hawthorn had finished a very tough finals campaign. Hawthorn were also without Jason Dunstall
who had kicked 94 goals for the year and 6 against the Blues in the previous year's Grand Final but was out of the game with an ankle injury. Instead the Hawks played Paul Dear
at full-forward.
Carlton's Wayne Johnston
set the tone for the Blues early with a fierce opening, in which he grounded Hawthorn's Robert DiPierdomenico
and got reported, and kicked the first two goals of the game before hurting his ankle.
The Norm Smith Medal
was awarded to Carlton defender David Rhys-Jones
for being judged the best player afield. Rhys-Jones kept dangerous Hawthorn forward Dermott Brereton
goalless for the game. Stephen Kernahan
and Craig Bradley
each kicked three goals for the Blues.
Hawthorn would win the premiership in the 1988 VFL Grand Final
while Carlton would play off in the 1993 AFL Grand Final
but next taste success in the 1995 AFL Grand Final
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
game contested between the Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
and Hawthorn Football Club
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
on 26 September 1987. It was the 91st annual Grand Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
of the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
, staged to determine the premiers for the 1987 VFL season
1987 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1987.-Night Series: defeated 8.10 to 8.6 in the Final at Waverley Park.-Leading goalkickers:...
. The match, attended by 92,754 spectators, was won by Carlton by a margin of 33 points, marking that club's 15th premiership victory.
Background
It was Hawthorn's fifth successive Grand Final appearance and it had beaten Carlton in the previous season's Grand Final1986 VFL Grand Final
The 1986 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Hawthorn Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 27 September 1986. It was the 90th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
by 42 points. Carlton had not won a flag since winning the 1982 VFL Grand Final
1982 VFL Grand Final
The 1982 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Richmond Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 1982. It was the 86th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
.
At the conclusion of the home and away season, Carlton had finished first on the VFL ladder with 18 wins and 4 losses. Hawthorn had finished second with 17 wins and 5 losses.
Carlton had only beaten Hawthorn in two of the last twelve games in which the two teams had met, although they had defeated them most recently in the Second-Semi Final leading up to the Grand Final. The Hawks had advanced to the Grand Final after defeating Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in the first Qualifying Final, and, after the Second-Semi Final, defeated Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
by just two points in the Preliminary Final (with a goal kicked after the final siren) to advance to the Grand Final. The Blues had an easier finals run, advancing straight to the Grand Final after their Second-Semi Final win.
In the week leading up to the Grand Final, Hawthorn's John Platten
John Platten
John Patrick "The Rat" Platten is a former Australian rules footballer. With his unruly tangle of curls he was a distinctive figure on the field with tremendous tenacity and the ability to accumulate possessions week after week.-Career:Platten began his career with the Central District Bulldogs...
was awarded the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
.
Match summary
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897... |
3.5 | 6.8 | 10.11 | 15.14 (104) |
| Hawthorn Hawthorn Football Club The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys... |
4.2 | 4.9 | 7.13 | 9.17 (71) |
The game was played on a very hot day, with temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius, the hottest day in Grand Final history. It was the only time in 426 games Michael Tuck
Michael Tuck
Michael Tuck is a seven time premiership winning player, Australian rules footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League / Australian Football League , where he is the games record holder....
wore a sleeveless jumper. The heat was thought to favour Carlton after Hawthorn had finished a very tough finals campaign. Hawthorn were also without Jason Dunstall
Jason Dunstall
Jason Hadfield Dunstall is a former Australian rules football player for the Hawthorn Football Club of the AFL. He is the third greatest goalkicker in the history of the VFL/AFL. Dunstall is regarded as one of the greatest full-forwards to have ever played, kicking 1254 goals, a feat only...
who had kicked 94 goals for the year and 6 against the Blues in the previous year's Grand Final but was out of the game with an ankle injury. Instead the Hawks played Paul Dear
Paul Dear
Paul Dear is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn.A half forward flanker, Dear made his debut in the 1987 season and played in that year's Grand Final...
at full-forward.
Carlton's Wayne Johnston
Wayne Johnston
Wayne Johnston may refer to:* Wayne Johnston , Canadian novelist* Wayne Johnston , former Australian rules footballer* Wayne A. Johnston, president of Illinois Central Railroad in the mid-20th century...
set the tone for the Blues early with a fierce opening, in which he grounded Hawthorn's Robert DiPierdomenico
Robert DiPierdomenico
Robert "Dipper" DiPierdomenico is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL of Italian descent and a member of the VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century...
and got reported, and kicked the first two goals of the game before hurting his ankle.
The Norm Smith Medal
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
was awarded to Carlton defender David Rhys-Jones
David Rhys-Jones
David Rhys-Jones is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club and the Sydney Swans in the VFL/AFL. The highlight of his 182 game career was winning the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground in Carlton's 1987 Grand Final victory...
for being judged the best player afield. Rhys-Jones kept dangerous Hawthorn forward Dermott Brereton
Dermott Brereton
Dermott Hugh Brereton is a former Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Of Irish descent , he is known for his aggressive style of play. Brereton kicked 464 goals and played in five Premierships for during...
goalless for the game. Stephen Kernahan
Stephen Kernahan
Stephen Scott Kernahan is a former Australian rules footballer best known for his career with the Carlton Football Club of the Australian Football League and the Glenelg Football Club of the SANFL from 1981 until 1997...
and Craig Bradley
Craig Bradley
Craig Edwin "Braddles" Bradley is a former South Australian Australian rules footballer and first class cricketer. He is currently a part-time assistant coach at the Carlton Football Club, the club he represented 375 times in the VFL/AFL....
each kicked three goals for the Blues.
Hawthorn would win the premiership in the 1988 VFL Grand Final
1988 VFL Grand Final
The 1988 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Hawthorn Football Club and the Melbourne Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 24 September 1988. It was the 92nd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to...
while Carlton would play off in the 1993 AFL Grand Final
1993 AFL Grand Final
The 1993 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 25 September 1993. It was the 97th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
but next taste success in the 1995 AFL Grand Final
1995 AFL Grand Final
The 1995 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Geelong Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 30 September 1995. It was the 99th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
.
Teams
Goalkickers
Carlton
|
Hawthorn
|
External links
See also
- 1987 VFL season1987 VFL seasonResults and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1987.-Night Series: defeated 8.10 to 8.6 in the Final at Waverley Park.-Leading goalkickers:...