1991 gf

[Mr Ripper]

I reckon 1999 was the most nondescript Grand Final of the 90s, but that's just me.

Other posters have already ran through the plethora of highlights from Grand Final day, 1991. No-one's brought up the Brisbane Bears reserves flag, yet, though.

 

[Chewy]

The 1991 Grand Final was a better game (and more memorable, IMO) than people give it credit for.

For starters, it was the first time an interstate team had reached the Grand Final. That in itself was something different. West Coast carried all before them in 1991. The Victorians were shitting themselves that our cup was headed west. Hawthorn (team of the 80's) were the old champs and the defnders of Victorian pride. West Coast (team of the 90's) were the scary, new challenger. In many ways, it was a real heavyweight clash and the teams had a great rivalry back in those days.

The setting at Waverley was something novel also, but here's the thing. I reckon most of the 75,000 in attendance were true fans of the two competing clubs. It was an easy Grand Final to get a ticket to. The number of corporate tickets was way down on the usual number. It made for a good atmosphere. The WA fans were out in force, thousands of 'em sporting lime green caps.

I'm sure there's still a few people old enough to remember how good VFL Park, Waverley was when there was a full house of 75,000 screaming fans. And this game was no different. Very good atmosphere - better than many MCG Grand Finals I've been to (and I've seen a few)

West Coast jumped the Hawks and kicked the first 4 goals. A few controversial 50m penalties to Sumich and Heady which had the crowd howling in anger. Hawthorn pegged it back slightly before qtr time

Quarter time:
Hawthorn 3.4
West Coast 5.1

Eagles by 9 points


The second quarter was good. Hawthorn destroyed the Eagles, outmuscling them and outmarking them. Paul Dear ripped the game apart, repeatedly taking pack marks from the West Coast kick-ins. It was a bit like Collingwood's recent dominant 2nd quarters where the ball was locled in one half of the ground and we were peppering the goals (and missing) Very entertaining stuff.


Half time:
Hawthorn 7.12
West Coast 7.2

Hawks by 10 points


In the third quarter, West Coast hit back and started to worry the Hawks with their pace. Their quick midfielders like Mainwaring and Matera started to get into it. It became a see-sawing battle. Chris Lewis had been earmarked as the danger man, but James Morrissey, an unlikely tagger, repeatedly beat him out in the open in one-on-one contests. he just kept judging it better. Very tense quarter for Hawk fans - 5 goal apiece, but the Eagles remained within striking distance.


3/4 time:
Hawthorn 12.15
West Coast 12.5

Hawks by 10 points


Last quarter. Dunstall and Dermie had been relatively subdued by the awesome West Coast defence, Monkey Brennan and Ash McIntosh sticking to their task, but a strong mark in goal square from Brereton and a wicked curling shot from Dunstall out near the boundary line seemed to open the flood gates. The Hawks smelled blood and went for the jugular. VFL Park became like a colisseum. Very loud. Hawthorn completely dominated the last quarter. They never let up. Kicked 8.4 to 1.3

I was sitting behind the goals at the main scoreboard end and it just rained goals. It was party time. Probably the most enjoyable Hawthorn premiership I've ever been to. You have to understand: West Coast had looked unbeatable that season - it was a close-ish game (versus an intimidating opponent) and then we ran riot in the last quarter. It was a 30 minute outpouring of jubilation from the Hawk fans, accompanied by goal after goal. Perfect. I even saw captain Johnny Worsfold and vice captain, Michael Brennan fighting with each other in the goal sqaure as Dermie kicked another goal. Haha, get stuffed you West Coast w***ers. Go home!


Final score:
Hawthorn 20.19
West Coast 13.8

Hawks by 53 points


Okay, it was a 53 point thrashing, but many, many Grand Finals have been one-sided, boring thrashings. The difference in 1991 was that West Coast ledt at quarter time and stayed within reach until 3/4 time. More than half the Grand Finals I've been to have been over at half time. Boring games. This wasn't.

I watched a replay of the game about 12 months ago and I was pleasantly surprised how good the game was - entertaining, skilfull , tough, some good hits and great fast flowing play. I actually thought it was better than the monotonous tactical football we sit through nowadays.

The Victorian media basically wrote the 1991 Grand Final off because they are a pack of jaded w***ers. Most of them barrack for Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton and they didn't care to much for "boring" Hawthorn Grand Finals (8 of them in 9 years)

The location out at Waverley probably contributed to their sense of the "occasion" being lost. All anyone really speaks about is Angry Anderson singing "Bound For Glory" and the Batmobile - the most cheap-arse GF entertainment ever - but even that was memorable in a so-bad-it-was-good kind of way.


Michael Tuck's 426th and final game, his 7th premiership, standing on the dais and hoisting the cup for the 4th time

All records which may never be broken.


1991 Grand Final > 2010 Grand Final replay
1991 Grand Final > 2007 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 2004 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 2003 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 2000 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 1999 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 1998 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 1996 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 1995 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 1994 Grand Final
1991 Grand Final > 1990 Grand Final

Most of those were very boring games.

You almost wanted the mercy rule to be invoked and spare us the final 30 minutes.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Is this the only time in history a team has kicked the first 4 goals in the gf and lost?

I think that might have happened again in 1992. I vaguely recall an Eagles supporter at the time saying something along the lines of "we kicked the first four last year and lost, so no need to panic yet".

 

[sgbn77]

Chewy, as usual, as excellent summary.

You also forgot, Tucky got knocked out didn't he? And he came back on wearing a SHORT SLEEVED TOP!!! I reckon it was the first time in his 426 matches!

 

[Franc de Borges]

Another hazy memory I have of the 1991 season is hating Carlton, did something happen like... The eagles were going for some record winning streak and carlton beat them but it was controversial, like a goal disallowed which should have been paid or something ? Surely some older eagles fans will remmeber

Simon Minton-Connell kicked the winning goal from the pocket to win by 3 points and end the Eagles unbeaten start to the season. Carl Langdon was physically confronted after the game when the crowd ran onto the field in jubilation. The 'second siren' rule was brought in soon after I believe.

 

[Chewy]

Has it got lost amongst the other great/ memorable GF's of the time? Absolutely, and rightly so. I was at that GF (like every GF from 1982-2000, except 1990 - bloody drawn semi) and to be honest, I don't remember a lot about the game. Even 1988 had a streaker to remember it by (and of course until 2007 the largest GF win). Was the Hawks premiership out of place? Don't know where that came from considering all the GF's they played in. They were a powerhouse back then. And one of the reasons don't like them is that they got sick of seeing Hawthorn win year after year. The only reason this GF gets remembered is the laughter it provided.

See, this post probably sums it up...

People said the '91 GF was "unmemorable" because they were sick of Hawthorn winning

Whatever...

As a Hawk fan, what I remember most about it was how Hawthorn's 2nd tier players and youngsters stood tall and actually carried us to victory. Dermie, Dunstall, Platten, Ayres, Mew and Langford were all good, but it was the lesser lights.

• Paul Dear - he was a colossus. 11 marks, nearly all of them big contested grabs. A dominant performance, he really controlled the game
• Steve Lawrence - our young, gangly ruckman came from nowhere (and never did much after that) but that September, he was HUGE.
• James Morrissey - played the game of his life and took Chris Lewis to the cleaners
• Anthony Condon - 28 touches, leading possession getter, got us going out of the middle
• Ray Jencke - safe as houses at half back, cool under pressure and geat skills
• Darrin Pritchard - the underrated little winger who broke even with Peter Matera on the day, they had a great duel
• Andrew Gowers - another great one-on-one duel with West Coast other gun wingman, Chris Mainwaring
• Paul Hudson - lively youngster up forward, kicked a couple of goals

This was really the story of the game

Hawthorn were able to pinch one last premiership in that dynasty because of the massive contributions (over the last half of the season) from a wave of youngsters and fresh blood.

 

[Knights 24]

Chewy, as usual, as excellent summary.

You also forgot, Tucky got knocked out didn't he? And he came back on wearing a SHORT SLEEVED TOP!!! I reckon it was the first time in his 426 matches!

I think the Tuck short sleeves first appeared in the GF in '87 when we lost to Carlton - 31 degrees!

Hawks without Dunstall and Rhyse-Jones did the job on Brereton.

 

[Franc de Borges]

I actually think Carltons win in 1987 is on a par in terms of low-profile.


For those old enough to remember, it was the one year that Channel 7 lost the rights to Broadcom who on-sold them to the ABC.

It means that whenever Channel 7 show any sort of flashbacks the 1987 Grand Final is never included.



.... which I'm sure you're all gutted about.

This is very true. You never see replays of this game.

Funnily enough it was really the first AFL premiership, seeing as West Coast and Brisbane entered the competition that year. In fact, Dennis Cometti mentioned as much in the final quarter during the commentary.

The ABC and the relative 'sameness' of Carlton and Hawthorn dominating the comp may have led to this one being overlooked. Ridiculously hot day though.

In a weird way, it also seems to be the least revered of Carlton's 16 flags as well, even within the club.

 

[Chewy]

Yeah, the 1987 Grand Final was a shit game. Hawthorn were buggered from the Prelim vs Melbourne a week earlier. They had a bunch of injuries, the mercury hit 30' and Carlton simply wanted it too much.

You just knew the Hawks were rooted from the opening bounce when Jason Dunstall didn't take the field, Wayne Johnston smashed Tucky in the face, Rhys Jones humiliated a semi-fit Dermie and Russell Morris ran away from an aggro Carlton player near the boundary line (he was coming off for a rest, but it looked ultra-weak)

The thing I remember most about the '87 GF was the onslaught of Carlton goals at the very start of th last quarter - Naley, Kernahan, Meldrum(?) - bang, bang, bang - Hawthorn 6/7 goals down. Game Over.

I also remember Ian Aitken - every time he got possession, just booting the ball 40m sideways, straight out of bounds. The deliberate rule was more lax in those days. Very frustrating

Sat with three gloating, loudmouth Carlton mates. Long day...

The anti-Hawthorn media wrote it up as an "humiliation" for Hawthorn, but it was only a 5-6 goal loss. I thought we fought the game out, but Carlton were just too good for us on the day

Another memory: immediately following the presentation, the Carlton players gathering on the MCC member's wing near where I was sitting. Kernahan and t'mates holding up the Premiership Cup towards Des English (who was fighting cancer and undergoing chemo) and Peter Motley, who had suffered terrible head injuries in a car crash months earlier.

Shame about Motley. He was gunna be a champion...

 

[Tas]

This says it all...

[youtube]c7J2madZVFA[/youtube]

or even better.

[youtube]DxVvzMXF4S0[/youtube]

 

[GameOver]

People said the '91 GF was "unmemorable" because they were sick of Hawthorn winning

Whatever...

Not what I said at all... it was unmemorable because of a number of factors:

• the halftime entertainment was so poor (this is the major reason for the game not getting that much attention)
• GF at Waverley
• 1st interstate team to make GF

What I said though was, people got sick of seeing Hawthorn win all the time, hense the hatred for the team... that has nothing to do with the GF being memorable.

Whether a GF is memorable, good standard etc is a matter of opinion but IMO those GF that stand at the top in my lifetime are:

• 2010 GF 1 (drawn game alone makes it memorable and the pressure was outstanding from both sides)
• 1989 (Classic game)
• 2005
• 2006
• 2002 (our side wasn't even that good IMO)
• 1990 (obvious as I'm a pies supporter but also the brawl at 1/4 time)
• 1998 (back to back for Crows)

Can't remember enough about most of the 80's battles so haven't listed them for that reason. The above sit firmly above 1991 to me though for various reasons. Maybe I'm putting some up there that others wouldn't have due to bias, as I'm sure you would put Hawks GF's.

 

[hilly]

I understand that West Coast actually rested in the final term to give themselves an unfair advantage for the 1992 season.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Oh man what a game! I was an 8 year old at the game and I remember WCE kicking the first four and I had tears of anger.

Dermott and Jarman missed a couple of really easy shots in the first quarter. Jarman's miss was terrible - took a mark about 20m out and played on, snapped it aroudn the corner....of the goal post.

Dermott did his best to intimidate McIntosh, which seemed to work but went up to him after the game and gave him a bit of a "you'll be a much better player for this" kind of speech. Sure enough, McIntosh was an unbelievable player from then on. I think Derm had missed four shots before getting his first goal.

Great half time entertainment. Tell me, off the top of your head, who was the entertainment at the 1990 GF? the 1995 GF? etc. It may just be the only time the league has put on a memorable show for half time entertainment. It's a pity the Batmobile (why was there a batmobile?) carved up the turf where it came on and off the ground.

Paul Dear was great. Just kept marking the kick ins, which was handy because we kept missing goals.

Steve Lawrence ended up copping a two match suspension for a fendoff to Peter Matera that copped him high. Thought it was absolute rubbish at the time but it would definitely cop weeks without question in today's footy.

aahhhhh the memories. The wing match ups were sensational. Mainwairing and Matera were phenomenal that season and started off well. However, Joycey swapped our wings around and Gowers and Pritchard were a large part of us getting back on top.

Also, beating the team that's dominated all season is a special feeling. Hawks fans have been lucky enough to witness that in 1991 and 2008. Hope it happens again next year!!!

 

[Illinois Nazi]

I understand that West Coast actually rested in the final term to give themselves an unfair advantage for the 1992 season.

Tanking in a GF?

 

[FootyJunkie]

Tanking in a GF?

Angry Anderson in a Tank

 

[Chewy]

During the medal presentations, Johnny Platten let it rip up on the dais

19 players had gone up and accepted their medals with no fuss, very little fanfare

His teammates were winding him up - go on, they said, do something!


"Number 44 - JOHN PLATTEN!"

The medal is draped around his neck

he then tilts his head back slowly....

Points both fingers up towards the sky....

And slowly screams: YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!


One of the all-time funny clownish moments during the medal presentations, topped only by Carlton's Peter Dean in 1987, who tried to jump up on a railing while wearing his footy boots and fell arse over tit, off the stage

 

[Chewy]

Another lazy six goals in a Grand Final from Jason Dunstall

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

That's genius of Platten, great stuff.

Do you know who the major sponsor of the Hawks was that year Chewy? Can't recognise it from the pics, with the logo merged with the Hawk itself?

 

[Chewy]

Mick Malthouse had adpoted a siege mentality in the lead-up to the 1991 Grand Final. He locked the media and fans out of the Eagles' training sesssions. He point blank refused to have West Coast front up for the parade on Friday. Hawthorn took a more relaxed, calmer approach and this was seized upon by a journo from the West Australian, who criticised Mick for being an uptight sourpuss.

After the game, back in dressing rooms, a still-seething Mick Malthouse saw the unfortunate journalist from across the corridor and angrily made a beeline straight for him, shoved him up against the wall and had his forearm up under the guy's chin. West Coast officials had to pull him away....

Deep breaths, Micky.... And vitamin E is supposedly good for hemorrhoids

 

[Pj.Rj.Hj]

Do you think it would have been any more memorable if West Coast had won?
Sure would have capped off a classic season and West Coast's best.

West Coast finished the season with a % of 162.2, higher than the 2000 Bombers and 2008 Cats. It was the Highest % (equal with the 1950 Bombers) since the 1929 Magpies and 6th highest ever.

West Coast lost to Carlton by 3 points in rd 13,
lost to North by 3 points in rd 17...
and lost at home to Fitzroy by 10 points in rd 22 (massive result for Lions, Eagles and Hawks)

Must have been some mental fragility in the young team and no doubt the Roy loss played with their minds. That home loss to 14th placed Fitzroy was a massive pschological gain for the Hawks. The following week a focused unified Hawthorn team saw a chink in the West Coast Armour and beat the Eagles by 23 points at Subi in the Qualifying final.

The Eagles had no one to blame and that loss sent them to Waverly Park for 3 consecutive weeks by 3/4 time in the GF it was all too much.

I seriously take my hat off to the '91 Hawks, and think they are a very underrated team. They finished the season second at 16-6 and a % of 135.9. Very respectable and enough to finish top in many other years. 1991 is a testament to the Hawks mental strength. West Coast beat them twice during the season 82 and 24 points. They pulled it all together, crossed the country and beat West Coast in Perth in the QF which pulled home ground advantage out from underneath the Eagles.

Hawthorn of 2008 were similar in that they were over shadowed by a monster team though they had more than repectable seasons. Only Geelong fans would know what West Coast fans feel in regards to 1991. It was supposed to be a celebration of one of the all time classic teams (up there with the Hawks of 88/89, Blues 95 and Bombers of 2000) but the memo didn't reach Glenferrie Oval.

 

[Chewy]

That's genius of Platten, great stuff.

Do you know who the major sponsor of the Hawks was that year Chewy? Can't recognise it from the pics, with the logo merged with the Hawk itself?

I think it was "Homestead" home loans

I always like that sponsor's badge with the hawk head logo on it

 

[Thommo 42]

I think it definitely gets lost for people other than Hawks fans.

Everyone was used to them winning, and the Collingwood fans (and players perhaps) were still drunk from 12 months prior.

 

[Cuzz09]

Start a 1992 GF thread. Best GF Ever!

 

[Chewy]

Do you think it would have been any more memorable if West Coast had won?
Sure would have capped off a classic season and West Coast's best.

West Coast finished the season with a % of 162.2, higher than the 2000 Bombers and 2008 Cats. It was the Highest % (equal with the 1950 Bombers) since the 1929 Magpies and 6th highest ever.

West Coast lost to Carlton by 3 points in rd 13,
lost to North by 3 points in rd 17...
and lost at home to Fitzroy by 10 points in rd 22 (massive result for Lions, Eagles and Hawks)

Must have been some mental fragility in the young team and no doubt the Roy loss played with their minds. That home loss to 14th placed Fitzroy was a massive pschological gain for the Hawks. The following week a focused unified Hawthorn team saw a chink in the West Coast Armour and beat the Eagles by 23 points at Subi in the Qualifying final.

The Eagles had no one to blame and that loss sent them to Waverly Park for 3 consecutive weeks by 3/4 time in the GF it was all too much.

I seriously take my hat off to the '91 Hawks, and think they are a very underrated team. They finished the season second at 16-6 and a % of 135.9. Very respectable and enough to finish top in many other years. 1991 is a testament to the Hawks mental strength. West Coast beat them twice during the season 82 and 24 points. They pulled it all together, crossed the country and beat West Coast in Perth in the QF which pulled home ground advantage out from underneath the Eagles.

Hawthorn of 2008 were similar in that they were over shadowed by a monster team though they had more than repectable seasons. Only Geelong fans would know what West Coast fans feel in regards to 1991. It was supposed to be a celebration of one of the all time classic teams (up there with the Hawks of 88/89, Blues 95 and Bombers of 2000) but the memo didn't reach Glenferrie Oval.

The Eagles were amazing in 1991. They won their first 13 matches and had percentage of nearly 200%. Nobody could score 10 goals against them. The Eagles also formed the WA state team ij 1991 which thrashed Victoria by 80 points.

Hawthorn had a scratchy start to the year 6 wins, 5 losses but they came home like a train, winning 13 of 14

Their solitary loss in that period was to the Eagles at Subiaco in round 22 (there were 24 rounds in 1991) This game is mainly remembered for John Worsfold knocking over Dermie over near the boundary line and setting him down on his arse. Dermie later bitched about the dodgy state of the Subiaco turf and Woosha's reported response was something along the lines of "Well, he'd know. He got a close up look at it"

I remember there was a bit of tension between Hawthorn and West Coast at this time. Dermie seemed to fit the role of public enemy #1 for WA people.

In the Qualifying Final (the first ever interstate final) Dermie tweaked a knee in the first quarter and as he limped off the ground, in great pain, the entire grandstand erupted and cheered his misfortune. Dermie fumed and made headlines when he described the West Coast fans as a "pack of morons". But he gave you all some decent payback in the Granny when he kicked 4.5. Happy days

No All Australians for Hawthorn in 1991 despite finsihing 2nd on 16 wins and winning the flag

Ben Allan was our best and fairest - he was really good footballer from 1991-1994 before he succumbed to a dodgy knee.

 

[1980GFVideo]

Nothing obscure about it as I was there and despite the oddness of it being at Waverly it lacked nothing as a Grand Final.

Champion team overran a team in red hot form.

The team in red hot form became a champion team after that.

Barracked for West Coast that day but had to admire the Hawks.

Really was the end of an era as Dermott and Ayres did little after that. Young bloke called Crawford was watching it from the stands as a club invite. Hope he paid them back. Paul Dear looked sensational.