Waverley Memories

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#26
MY TOP TEN WAVERLEY HAWTHORN MEMORIES.

1. 1991 Grand Final v West Coast

After watching the Eagles pound our ageing side into the Princes Park turf earlier that year I couldnt have imagined we could thump them twice in the finals in a million years. But we did. A memorable effort in Perth was followed up with a thumping powerplay on that freezing Waverley afternoon. Did the social club rock that night!

2. 1989 Semi v Essendon

The Bombers had thrashed Geelong so convincingly in the Qualifying Final that many pundits were tipping them capable of rolling a Hawthorn team that had finished on top three games clear with a 19-3 record. Fools. Most will remember Dermie's fixing up of the Flying Dutchman but for me it was the sensational performance of JD that stands out.

3. 1990 h&a v Melbourne

The Demons went into this game with a 5-0 record and in great form. We had been a bit patchy and needing a win. After a half we were in deep trouble with Dermie injured ( and reported for belting G Lyon ) JD off to Hospital with a fractured skull and G Ayres with a torn hammy. We were also losing the game. No problem. With no fit interchange Conan hobbled down the the goalsquare and proceeded to inspire the side to one of their greatest wins. Never felt prouder.

4. 1984 Semi v Carlton

Just a thumping of a club that had given us hell for so many years. Dipper and Lethal had Blue players literally jumping at shadows.

5. 1981 h&a v Collingwood

I remember the crowd figure was 92,935. Queens birthday Monday and the Hawks came to play. Hundreds sat in the aisles and watched Matthews, Geoff Ablett and Tuck tear them apart. The curtain raiser was the Teal Cup Grand Final of that year between Vic and SA. Players on show included Brereton, Salmon, Steve Wallis, Kernahan, Bradley and Motley.

6. 1987 h&a v Carlton

The two best sides in the VFL played out an absolute classic in what was Alan Jeans' 400th game as a VFL coach. Carlton were right on top in the first half and with Kernahan and Bradley firing, led by about six goals at half time. The lads then fought back like the champion side they were and won a thriller by a point. Dermie took 18 marks on three opponents and the Rat was unstoppable. We were a great side in those days. Our loss in the GF of 1987 was a sporting tragedy.

7. 1992 h&a v Richmond

The day that JD kicked 17. Richmond were helpless against Jason in those days ( he kicked another 12 in the rematch at the MCG ) and Tiger coach Alan Jeans much have wondered what he had gotten into. This match was representative of the year JD had in 1992. 145 goals and over 200 marks should have won him the Brownlow by the lenghth of the Flemington straight.

8. 1988 semi v Carlton

In a match played under water the boys got some revenge for the 1987 GF. Blokes like Ayres ( who broke the Dominators ribs early ) Dipper, Brereton, Platten and JD were simply too tough and talented. A great win that sent the much hated Blues on the way to a finals exit a week later

9. 1978 semi v North Melbourne

A great win against a top class opponent that set up the flag a fortnight later. Once again it was Leigh that led the way in an inspirational performance. Crackers Keenan missed out on the GF when he belted Scotty in this game.

10. 1999 h&a v Sydney

Last match at the ground was appropriately closed out by a huge win against the Swans. The big crowd was a fair tribute to a place that was unfairly regarded in its final years by a City based media. A real shame.
 

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Jumpin' Jimmy

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#27
HAWKS HEROES said:
wish i got to see a game here i missed out big time all i remember doing is mum dropping off my pie supporter brother here than driving home
.... and she never ever went back to pick him up again? :(
 

Gary Shadforth

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#28
pete_hawker said:
It has to be the final game at the ground. Very emotional. Packed crowd seeing the might hawks floged the swans by 86 points i think. Just the last quarter gave me a tear, the hawk fans had begun to sing the song for most of the final quarter. I only went to two or three games at the ground, but i'm glad i was there for that game. Real touchin stuff
Yes, pete. To my mind that was one of the most remarkable and extraodinary events ever in VFL/AFL history ... and the saddest.
 

Books

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#29
Its great to stroll down memory lane. Thanks for all these memories guys.

A couple that have not been mentioned:
Round 1 , 1990 v Geelong. The GF replay, Cats out for revenge. Early in the 3rd they were about 10 points up, Ablett seemed to be on a roll, then we kicked about 20 goals to nothing. Dunstall kicked 12 including about 6 in the last quarter and we won by 115 points. I was there with a bunch of Geelong supporters who started whingeing to leave very early in the last quarter. It was great, I thought we had 3 flags in a row wrapped up for sure after that day. Alas, it wasn't to be.

Also a funnier / sadder memory. About 1992, playing the Dogs. Alex McDonald was in the 2nds, struggling, and the abuse (from our fans) was really quite histerical. He took one mark 20m out, 45 degree angle. He lined up the shot, from where I was he was right behind a point post. I muttered to myself "just don't kick it to me, Alex.." But sure enough... off the side of the boot, through for a behind and it landed 6 feet from me. He really was a disappointmemt.

And the very vocal West Coast fans at the 1991 GF who suddenly disappeared half way through the last quarter. We turned around to pay them out after another goal and... there they weren't - GONE! Cowards... :)
 
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#30
Hawks88bestever said:
My old man found out that if you told the car park attendants that your kid was playing Little League you got free parking...needless to say he used the line for 2 or so years before they finally cracked down on it
Fleegens again with this story!? HaHa! :thumbsu:
 

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#32
Hawks88bestever said:
I totally agree with everything you've said here...it used to really p*ss me off the way Silvagni would blatantly hold the FF's and get away with it week-in & week-out
Me too. How did he get away with it?
Even worse, whenever he went forward, there was a whole new set of rules and he would GET the free kick!?? Unbelievable.
 

Mappa

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#33
I remember (a little vaguely) a final against Carlton where all but 1 or 2 goals were kicked to the city or more famously "small scoreboard" end. Luckily i was at the s.s end.

John Barker tearing the game apart in the 2s in the final game at the ground.

DJs goal aginst North in the night GF. 2 dummys and then slotted it through on the left.

Johnny Platten's massive torp against Port after the siren. They gave us a huge scare that day

Massive comback against the Saints.

Mostly though, i remember being able to get a seat with a good view anywhere, being able to watch a reserves game, and a surface which was the equal of anything anywhere (mainly because grass tends to grow better OUTSIDE). The access was a shambles, but Waverley gave us a chance to have a BBQ afterwards, and a kick of the footy. Whoever decided Waverley was obsolete will never know how many football people they have driven from the game.

Don't listen about "record numbers" at games etc. Very few games are played against each other now, so people with MCC memberships can go multiple times. The population has increased too, so you'd hope more people would go. Lastly, there is a more concerted, some would say annoying, effort to get members on board now too. Shelling out $150 - $200 almost compels you to go to the footy.

I'd like the AFL to do a comparisson on Waverley crowds, vs its replacement's, the Docklands, crowds for the Hawks, and even the Saints and see what they would come up with. Closing Waverley was wrong.
 

Books

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#34
Mostly though, i remember being able to get a seat with a good view anywhere, being able to watch a reserves game, and a surface which was the equal of anything anywhere (mainly because grass tends to grow better OUTSIDE). The access was a shambles, but Waverley gave us a chance to have a BBQ afterwards, and a kick of the footy. Whoever decided Waverley was obsolete will never know how many football people they have driven from the game.

Don't listen about "record numbers" at games etc. Very few games are played against each other now, so people with MCC memberships can go multiple times. The population has increased too, so you'd hope more people would go. Lastly, there is a more concerted, some would say annoying, effort to get members on board now too. Shelling out $150 - $200 almost compels you to go to the footy.

I'd like the AFL to do a comparisson on Waverley crowds, vs its replacement's, the Docklands, crowds for the Hawks, and even the Saints and see what they would come up with. Closing Waverley was wrong.[/QUOTE]


I agree with you Mappa. It was wrong to close it. I for one live 20 minutes from Waverley and would love to take my kids down on a Saturday arvo with a guaranteed seat, as it is I only went once this year to the 'G. Only ever been to the Dome once for a footy match.

I also remember Darren Jarman's extaordinary skills - he played some blinders at Waverley, I think he enjoyed the space. I can remember him ofyen running straight at an opponent, and we the fans all knew what was coming but it seemed the other player never did. Suddenly there was the patented Jarman baulk, the cheeky look over the shoulder as he strolled clear, and he would find Dunstall on the lead or slot a memorable goal himself.

I also remember often we would be streaming forward, on our feet in anticipation, we'd look up the ground and see.... Minton-Connell! "Noooo, don't kick it to him! Aaaarrrggghhhh........... cheers would turn to jeers and frustrated disappointment very quickly.

Still we had a great run for many years. Those were the days... :)
 
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