I think Hawthorn will win.
I'd like to see Melbourne make a real go of it.
Their season's meetings there on the screen now show that Melbourne beat Hawthorn earlier
on in the season and the Hawks really trounced Melbourne with about five weeks to go before
the season finished.
Now I really get some feeling that Hawthorn leading up to this with only one match in
the four weeks, they'll be very, very fresh and it's proven over the years that the team
that goes straight into the Grand Final are very, very hard to beat.
I think they'll win comfortably.
Well that proved to be the case last year, didn't it, with Carlton?
Certainly did Peter and the Hawks limped into the Grand Final last year and on a day that
was a lot hotter than this afternoon, I'd like to see Melbourne play well.
I think everybody does.
It's a sentimental crowd that are going for the demons but I really think that they're
undermanned and they really can't kick a winning score.
And we welcome viewers in the United States through ESPN to our telecast as the Melbourne
side comes out of the MCG.
We also welcome viewers in Canada through the network, CTV and TSN.
Welcome to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the 1988 VFL Grand Final between the underdogs
Melbourne and the warm favourite Hawthorn.
Melbourne banner, a little caricature there of Steve-O Dwyer who was of course suspended
from playing for three weeks at the VFL Tribunal for an indiscretion last week.
He's not taking his place of course in the side today and the cheer squad hasn't let
him down.
It's Melbourne's first Grand Final for 24 years.
They are the nostalgic favourites but of course they're up against a side in Hawthorn who
have been on top of the ladder for most of the year and they I think would be very hard
to beat.
Balloons reaching skywards as the demons make their first circuit of the arena.
The Pasadena crowd stands absolutely packed, around about 100,000 here.
As we go down now to the ground, here comes Hawthorn.
Led onto the field by their veteran captain Michael Tuck.
And a break and the Hawthorn balloons go skyward to join the red and blue.
Hawthorn today playing in their sixth Grand Final.
Let's go down now to Don Scott and Bernie Quindon on the ground.
It's absolutely fantastic.
Here's to Bernie.
When Melbourne broke through that banner, the roar was just something you'd have to
be experienced.
It's a great feeling out here Don.
It's something I haven't really experienced before.
You've done it a few times yourself, four times before but just being out here in the
middle of the ground with all this excitement.
We nearly run through by the Melbourne team when they came out on the ground.
It's a great feeling.
It's a great experience to be out here.
But as a player you really don't focus on the crowd at all.
You jump as we saw the Melbourne guys when they brushed past the red.
They were just intent on playing football but here as a spectator you can really absorb
it.
It's a fantastic feeling.
I suppose the players have to get it out of their minds.
Who are you going for anyway today?
I'm going for Melbourne, Bert.
I'm going for Hawthorn.
Back to you boys up in the commentary area.
Thank you Don and thank you Bernie.
Players will take up their position shortly for the Grand Final of 1988.
Let's introduce the men who will bring you the match commentary wise this afternoon.
We say a very good afternoon as Steve O'Dwyer looks on.
A man that was caricatured on the Demon banner.
Our commentators this afternoon, Drew Morford and Dennis Committy with special comments
from Malcolm Flight.
Gentlemen, good afternoon to you.
Good afternoon Peter.
Good afternoon Peter.
Yes.
Well it's great to be here.
Fancy Don Scott who captained Hawthorn in two Premier Ships going for Melbourne.
Of course he's the rugby coach there these days so I suppose he has a foot in each camp.
Great atmosphere when they came onto the ground and Melbourne have been starved of success
for so long.
I suppose what would it be?
90% of the crowd will follow Melbourne.
I think you're about right.
Perhaps even a shade conservative there.
It really is a Melbourne house.
In fact it's a Melbourne country isn't it?
Everybody wants to see Melbourne get up and win this Grand Final.
I suppose the fact they're here now is because of the fact that they're here.
They're here to see Melbourne win this Grand Final.
They're here to see Melbourne win this Grand Final.
They're here to see Melbourne win this Grand Final.
I suppose the fact they're here now is good news because it's made for a great week and
a change which was overdue.
Yes 24 years is a long time not to be here and to be involved in this.
There's a lot of young players on the Melbourne side.
They're not very experienced football side.
Their form in the last two years has been nothing short of sensational coming from lower
in the list over a number of years.
Especially in pressure games recently.
Look they've played three finals in a row and perhaps having been through that a few
times myself, the fourth one's pretty tough coming up against a very professional side
like Hawthorn.
Well last year they strung together about eight wins in a row to get there and this
year it's been about four wins in a row.
So it's something, 13 last chance games and they've won 12 of them.
Now the captain's gathering in the middle, the oldest man on the ground and the youngest
captain in Veyreford football this year, Greg Healy.
Toss of the coin, Don Scott.
Michael Tuck, Paul, Tiles.
Michael Tucks won the toss and he is kicking to left of screen.
Michael Tuck kicking to left of screen.
And Michael Tuck playing in his ninth grand final.
What a remarkable record.
And Melbourne have one player who's played in the grand final before.
That says something.
And that I think is the scoring in, the end of which Hawthorn will go first.
We were talking about the good performances by Melbourne but the record of the side to
the finish fifth and made it to the grand final isn't a particularly good one.
Collingwood and Essendon have done it.
But on both occasions, in 81 and 83, they lost by in excess of 80 points.
Hopefully that won't be the case today.
Because conversely, Dennis, that Melbourne really were an honest fifth day.
They were second on the ladder for quite a bit of the year.
It was only the last four or five weeks.
So they're probably more a second or third side in realistic positions on the ladder.
If you're watching on ESPN, shades of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
We are family.
The run through for Hawthorn this afternoon.
Well, talking about the string of matches in the last few years that Melbourne have won
when it's been do or die last chance.
The only one they've lost was the preliminary final last year, which they led all day and
lost with a kick after the siren.
A tragedy.
But they've fought back very well this year and in a great preliminary final against Carlton
have earned the right to be here as they go in front of the member stand at the MCG.
And the umpires this afternoon Peter Cameron officiating in his third grand final, perhaps
an omen there for Hawthorn.
He umpired their last Premiership win back in 1986.
And with him this afternoon, Brian Sheehan, Peter Cameron in the foreground, Brian Sheehan
umpiring his first grand final.
So congratulations to him.
There'd be some pre-match nerves for Brian Sheehan out there for the first time, just
like in the Melbourne football park.
Yes, there would be.
In fact, it's only his third season of umpiring at this standard.
So it's a very, very good effort by Brian Sheehan, obviously very highly thought out
by the umpires panel.
Michael Tuck, the veteran who was playing in his ninth grand final in his 17th season
of football.
He's 35 years of age.
There he is, partly hidden there with the beard, revving up the team just before they
get underway.
He started in 1972.
Now Greg Healy, who was the opposing captain, would have been playing about under 10s then.
Tuckie, well thank you for that.
The attendance last season, 92,000 just over, it would be bigger this year now?
You'd think so, Dennis.
And just following up from Michael Tuck, who already holds the record for the games played
in finals, 32 of them.
So this is in fact his 33 and he leads that record now by four games.
A terrific effort.
Amazing.
It'll take some topping a long time, I would imagine.
Dermot Brereton, who missed six matches during the season because of suspension, was absolutely
thrashed in the grand final last year.
His opponent won the medal for the best on the ground.
And Dermot Brereton looks as though he's coming over to start on the bench, but instead of
that he just went over to slap Barry Gavin on the hand, who's the team physiotherapist.
And Peter Curran is down there, who is a player who is unfortunately missing from this grand
final because of injury.
But Dermot Brereton is going out to take his place there.
A lot to prove for Dermot Brereton today.
He's just looking at those interchange fences too.
Viny and Phoebe coming off for Melbourne.
Oh, Dylan Smuggins, huh?
Stine starting at one end of the ground, he's at full forward.
Hughes will do the rock work.
Viny and Fintoff, the Melbourne bench.
Funt by Brian Cheyne in his first grand final, gets things underway.
And Deer wins in the middle, gets it down towards Schwab.
The hand pass, Mrs. Kennedy, and rash they go through.
And that was sporting.
And the whistle's gone.
It's a free kick going to Melbourne.
Sensational move.
Stretch on Dunstall.
And the free kick taken by Lovell, right up towards full forward.
A big climb by White, can't take the mark.
Jackson's hand past the line, kick partly smothered.
Good defense by Mew back there.
He's got plenty of support.
Goes back to Schwab, who was in the middle of the ground about 20 seconds ago.
Away to Langford.
A flying tackle gets Langford.
Tucked the veteran.
Gets the hand pass away.
In a bit of trouble, Hawthorne.
White has snapped the goal, but it's offline and out of bounds on the fourth.
I don't think any porters around town would have picked that.
Stephen's stretch to play on Jason Dunstall in the pace department's terrific.
I think in the strength department, stretch might be found wanting.
And he is doing the right work as Tuck takes this key towards center field.
Bucconara, uncontested.
Pops in for 15, not forthcoming.
Gary Bucconara, one of the stars of the BFL, from center half back towards half forward.
Over the top line, he with a big first, but it's a Hawthorne free.
In front, it will be taken by Hall.
Players on a short fuse this afternoon, as you'd expect.
This is Tony Hall with the Hawthorne this season from South Australia.
Pumps it high into the forward line, looking for Dunstall.
Knocked away by Steins.
Fisted away by stretch towards the boundary.
Litting in the races, Whitman, just inside the boundary.
He gathers, pulls it back with a high kick.
At the fall of the ball, Grereton, spectacularly couldn't hang on.
They battle after it.
And they'll get a ball up, Lovell, going in rather carelessly there.
Grinnell, too.
Well, it's been pretty tough on the players on edge for the start of the game,
but we haven't seen the all-in brawl that has featured the start of Grand Finals so often.
It may yet come.
There's Abbott, he's played every game this year.
Way to Morrissey.
Off the swab, snap the goal, and he's kicked it!
Peter Schwab has won a possession in the middle, in the back line,
and he's kicked the first goal.
Fantastic start by Hawthorne.
Always to get that early goal is always very handy.
And they've had a habit of doing this in their winning Grand Finals of Hawthorne.
They've got the early two or three goals and maintained that advantage.
And what a fantastic snap under plenty of pressure from the Melbourne opposition.
Alan Joyce, crossed hands.
Back in the middle, Deah, he'll get the free kick.
He was crashing in, there's Greg Deah.
The ward, Ford with a kick, Berenton's in front, strong line.
Dermot Berenton, the man who's kicked eight goals in the VFL Grand Final,
will fire from about 50 metres out directly in front.
That's the lead.
Berenton.
Bree is coming over his left shoulder.
Starts at left, it stays left.
It goes through for a minor score.
Hawthorne lead by seven.
Just over 22 minutes remaining in the first turn.
Stephen Stretch, kicking in towards the outer side.
Rain is starting to fall now as the mark is taken out.
There is strong mark by Hall.
White half forward for the Hawks.
The red hot favourites, towards the pocket with the kick.
Pushing the back to Abbott, not seen.
Wilson rubbing the pack behind, a chance to clear.
Ryan Wilson out of the back pocket, towards half back flank.
Over the top, Williams, a good mark.
Williams kick up towards centre wing.
Spalding is there.
Oh, an excellent mark by all Spalding.
Formerly played state cricket for Western Australia.
To centre half forward, no height there for Melbourne.
DiPierdomenico back from the wing, takes a brilliant mark.
Well, he's been down in the last few weeks.
He was actually interchanged during the second semi-final against Carlton.
Needs to lift today.
He puts the kick out wide and the mark taken by Collins.
He's been great this year.
Into Ayres.
Ayres up towards half forward.
All Melbourne, all Johnson had a chance to take the mark.
Left it behind him.
Ayres, he kicks out of bounds on the full.
And a free kick to Melbourne.
Well, this is unbelievable.
The rain is falling.
It rained for about five or ten minutes during the reserves grand final.
But when I woke up this morning, I thought it was the most perfect Melbourne day.
A stretch out of the back pocket.
High kick, members side.
Big pack at the full of the ball.
McGuinness fisting towards the boundary.
Maybe people will say this is a typical Melbourne day.
Exactly.
It was lovely this morning.
But I think the rain is here for the best part of the afternoon now.
There's the throw in.
Here, congestion.
Kennedy left without it.
Dersma over the ball for Melbourne.
Eventually knocks it out.
Opportunity for Newport.
Tackled by Collins.
Ball jarred free.
And eventually the first gamer in terms of grand finals.
Antonio Sheehan moves in to bullpen it.
Not in this rain would help Melbourne, wouldn't it?
Well, it certainly would.
The drive being out suspended.
One big list going on down might help them.
Steins.
Kennedy now.
Opportunity for Wilson.
Gets it to Jackson.
A high kick towards Halfords.
Balding in front.
Coming across from the angle there to knock it away with his ears.
But it's going to be a scalding free.
He'll take this run down towards right half forward.
Hawthorne one goal one.
Melbourne yet to score.
Kick up towards centre half forward.
Not a great distance in that kick.
Hawthorne definitely with the breeze.
Hall gets the hand pass away.
But it goes astray to Lovell.
Hooks it up towards the forward pocket.
Jackson at the back.
DiPio Domenico comes in to help Collins.
Healy is there.
But the ball off him and goes out of bounds.
Greg Healy.
Turned 23 a week ago.
He's been captain of the side for most of the season at the age of 22.
And of course his brother, Gerard Healy, won the Brownlow medal earlier this week.
Here's the throw in.
DiPio Domenico breaking away from half back towards centre wing.
Kennedy.
Lovell's in trouble.
Gerriton crashing into him.
Steins does well in a tight situation.
Humps the boundary line.
It bounces out of bounds.
We'll have a throw in.
On the ball early.
He's now in the back pocket on Abbott.
Steins in the ruck.
Just a ploy perhaps to unsettle Hawthorne at the start.
Steins going down to full forward ever so briefly.
Here's the throw in.
Steins in front battling with Dia.
Steins wins it down.
Domenico over the ball.
Hears then.
Collins.
Eventually Healy comes away.
Wilson fumbling.
Gets it across to Yates now.
Just outside 50.
Clever kick into the path of Lyon.
That was a beautiful kick by Graham Yates who is not one of the high profile players at Melbourne.
But has he done a superb job on the wing this year.
And Gary Lyon has had a great final series.
And he really didn't know what he was running into then either.
It was a great, great courage from Lyon.
Last week Gary Lyon kicked a goal from about 75 metres.
This time he's kicking from about 40.
Close.
He hooked it.
Well he should have made the most of that.
Yes these conditions obviously not going to make for great football.
The ball's going to be on the ground a bit.
Those sorts of kicking could happen all day.
Kick in taken by Ayers.
Wide lead by Langford.
He's got it about 55 metres out from goal.
Borthorn 1-1 Melbourne 1 behind.
And we have just under 18 minutes left in the first quarter.
Light rain falling at the MCG on a grey and overcast day.
Oh out of bounds on the full.
Yes those conditions with the ball being very, very slippery indeed.
Players are really going to have to put their head over the ball and follow through with the kick.
It's balling.
Back towards half forward for Melbourne.
White reaching over the top.
Stein's got a hand to it.
He does well in a tight situation.
Lyon sharks it though.
Pulls it down towards Borthorn.
It's bouncing free.
Who's got the foot speed?
Collins has.
He gets back first.
Planned by Williams.
Off the ground by Jackson.
The outside of the boot.
Third goes for a behind.
Action aplenty.
Here's our score line.
Just over 17 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
And the veteran will bring it back in.
Michael Tuck.
Goes in short.
And the mark is taken by Chris Mew.
Mew in the back pocket.
Clears play towards centre wing.
Stein's is in front.
Through his hands.
Opportunity behind for Wilson.
Hand passes out wide.
Healy's got the run of it close to the boundary.
The skipper with the left foot.
Back towards the half forward plant.
McGuinness knocks it on.
Opportunity for Deer.
Close to the boundary line.
Whitman or is it Collins down there?
Collins who boots it back towards midfield.
Opportunity for Diney.
Well played.
Comes away with strength.
Too much carry on the kick over the head of White.
Towards the boundary line it goes.
It trickles out from the right full forward pocket.
It's very difficult to pinpoint passes from that short a distance.
He really should have just given the ball a bit of air.
And let Sean White run into that.
Rather than try and build it at him.
A swirly breeze going right to left.
In favour of Hawthorne in the first quarter.
Gary Ayres crashes through the pack.
But hasn't got the hand pass clear yet.
Schwab helps him out.
Back to Ayres.
And he's kicked a half back flank close to the boundary line.
Out would do Hawthorne.
Whitman's coming off the ground.
With what appears to be a serious arm injury.
Well that's bad news for Hawthorne.
And his replacement is to be Darren Pritchard.
And the way he's holding that could even be as bad as a fracture.
Wilson takes clean possession from the boundary throw in.
Inside half forward.
Lyon contest well.
McGuinness does well.
Steins the Irishman off the right boot.
One out.
In the goal square.
White is there but can't grab clean possession.
And the ball goes out of play.
Here's the incident with Whitman.
He went in to apply the tackle on Healy.
And he just spun off him and hit the ground.
Looked like a collision with the ground.
Now Collins dashes out of defence for Hawthorne.
Over the centre he goes.
The rain gets heavier.
It's pelting down at the moment.
Johnson at the back.
He's kicked towards half forward.
Clever by Lovell but couldn't take the mark.
Hand pass by Healy over the top.
Collins under pressure.
Threads out a beautiful hand pass to Dipliadomenico.
This is like a tropical downpour at the moment.
Morrissey threads out the hand pass to Hall.
Hall from 55 metres.
Breeze behind.
Great kick.
But offline.
My word.
Listen to that raining now.
Unbelievable.
Dipper trying to bounce that ball in the middle of the ground then.
Very slippery indeed.
Scratch.
Fines Grinter.
Grinter from the back pocket.
Lloyd's half back.
Over the head of Newport.
Lovell.
Well tackled by Dipliadomenico.
A slide out of Barnes.
As a matter of fact we shouldn't be surprised by this rain.
It has rained five Saturdays in a row in Melbourne and the weather during the week has been superb.
It's a message in there.
Boundary throw in.
Abbott's in front.
Stines over the top.
Back towards the boundary.
Out of Barnes yet again.
Back in round seven.
Melbourne defeated Hawthorn by 21 points in round 17.
Hawthorn defeated Melbourne by 69 points.
Jimmy Stines.
From Ireland.
Remarkable story.
Stines fisting forward.
Rarity.
Gets by Yates.
Soccer's off the ground.
Not much percentage in that.
It goes out of bounds on the ball.
Left half forward for Hawthorn.
Hawthorn's lead by six points.
Just the one goal scored so far.
Alan Johnson.
From right half back.
Members side with a kick.
Deer is up.
Mopping it forward.
Schwab in all sorts of trouble.
Spills free taken by Mew.
Mew's kick over the wing.
Johnson couldn't gather the wet ball.
And it goes out.
Bernie Quinlan's on the boundary line.
What about the injury to Whitman, Bernie?
It doesn't look good.
Whitman's been taken straight up to the rooms with what appears to be a serious arm injury.
And it could even be fractured.
They doubt whether he'll be back on the ground.
Well that is bad news.
Grinter gets the kick from Melbourne over the centre.
Spalding.
Clever play.
He plays on.
Running onto this is Bynie.
He's too got too much time for them.
Bynie to the goal square.
Oh right on the line.
It's knocked away by Langford.
Todd Bynie number 12 for Melbourne there.
Had a promising junior tennis career.
And once beat Boris Becker when they were both juniors.
Michael Tuck.
Members side with a kick.
Yates.
That's a good mark in the circumstances.
Breezy ball now as he goes down towards the pocket.
Williams on his chest.
David Williams.
Will kick from about 45 metres out.
A very acute angle.
As the lead.
Good talking by Williams.
Calling out his team mate.
Good looking kick.
That's a magnificent kick.
And you could be there.
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Melbourne have hit the front for the first time after Williams' goal.
Hawthorn forward out of the centre.
But love it for Melbourne straight onto the chest of Collins.
The rain has lightened off.
And in the weather quarter it's looking a bit brighter.
So perhaps we won't get any more.
Maybe Melbourne hopes we get it all done.
Thumped out of defence towards the boundary line.
Schwab leads the race.
And he was quite happy to see the blowout.
Actually Whitman was tagging Healy.
So what's going to happen now is I guess that Darren Pritchard coming on the ground might get that job on Healy.
Here gets rid of Steins.
Thump comes through and goes to Johnson.
His hand pass to Wilson.
His goes to Australia to Dippy at a Monaco.
He crashes through like a Sherman tank.
Up to the forward line. What a mark by Abbott.
Abbott's had a great season.
He's played every game.
His kick from 55 metres. Edge of the goal square.
Dunstall is there.
Almost the mark. The leading goal kicker.
Comes to Jackson.
Away to Stretch who is Dunstall's opponent.
And Stretch clears for the demons.
Once again going towards the boundary line.
Lyon will be happy to see it out.
Almost then. Almost from the leading goal kicker.
Jason Dunstall two grabs.
Just the pressure applied by the Melbourne defence kept it out of his hands.
10.45 and counting down.
There's the boundary throw.
And Steins wins it down.
It's taken by Kennedy.
High kick towards half forward.
Berican going back.
Takes the mark on his chest.
The luck of the draw there.
Berican would be about 45 metres out from goal.
When he takes this kick.
Here is a guy. Dersma off balance then.
And Berican safely on the chest.
Good looking kick.
It's a goal to Hawthorne there. Second.
So Jermit Berican with two chest marks in this first quarter.
And three kicks.
Already proving some sort of focal point for Hawthorne at centre half forward.
As we look back.
Just going to say now as we look back over the finals.
Perhaps even the games leading up to the finals.
Dersma has shown the capacity to come back at good players.
Yes he has indeed.
He's certainly going to have to do it today.
Yeah.
So we're back in the centre.
Hawthorne by five points.
There's the time remaining.
Healy slips as he kicks.
A shade higher would have thought.
No free kick.
In goes Platten.
As he pushed in the back the umpire thought that was a free.
Having thought better of the first one I'd suggest.
And that's his first touch John Platten.
Brownlow medley.
Last year.
Back in the centre.
Bit of a fight on near the centre circle.
Goes down to Dunstall and the ball's knocked out of bounds in the forward pocket.
And they're sorting things out here and the players are sorting them out.
Ayers is in there.
And Earl Spalding.
In comes Yates and Steins gets rid of Ayers again.
Well it didn't happen at the start of the game.
He had to wait for about the midway part of the first quarter.
That was interesting Schwab was indicating to Yates he had the situation perfectly under control.
Stay off.
But Schwab went crashing into it.
Abbott off the left boot.
Up towards the goal square.
And Dersma drops back to take a mark.
His opponent is Brereton.
And Dersma who kept Stephen Kernahan quiet twice in the last month which was no mean effort.
The kick to half back.
Goes past Steins.
They've stopped fighting and they're playing football.
Goes to Hall.
Bounces away to Ayers.
Ayers a long kick.
A mighty kick but offline.
And through for a behind.
Just that back line of Warthorn renowned for their attacking style.
And Gary Ayers one of the prime movers from that defensive role.
And does love kicking goals.
Warthorn by six points.
Stretch.
Beston Ferris last season.
Melbourne kicking in.
Fighting the Beston Ferris winner in 1986.
The skipper Greg Healy short to Lovell.
Half back Lovell.
Towards centre wing.
Missed in front by Mew.
Going forward scalding.
Slides out the back.
The run of the ball at Collins.
McGuinness slips over.
Gets the deflection away.
Ayers.
It's very slippery out there.
Crashing in his binie.
Schwab went down.
Then Binie went down in short order.
The ball's out of bounds.
McGuinness goes down.
Steins and McGuinness now.
Nothing subtle there.
The umpire's gone across.
Warding a free kick to Steins.
An experience from McGuinness.
Well said, Dennis.
Really no need for that at all to come in and push.
It was a fair reasonable bump.
Just get on with the game.
Well look at the Irish.
Jim Steins on the outer side.
Plays on.
Goes for a long kick.
It is a long kick.
Down towards the pocket.
Wide is up.
Knocked away by Langford.
Over the ball is Collins.
And he's content to push it across the boundary line.
Warthorn leading by six points.
Two three to one goal three.
And we have seven and a half minutes left in the first quarter.
Line number three very high.
Goes to Mew of Warthorn.
Who's gaining ground rather than finding a teammate.
Greg Healy's there, the skipper for Melbourne.
And he sees it out.
One of the reasons why we haven't seen John Plattons much so far is that Lovell is actually tagging him around the ground.
And this stage is doing a very good job on him.
And enjoys coaching Warthorn with his first year as a seniors coach.
Comes away to Viney.
Wide is a chance here.
Off the ground Willie.
Well Collins was first back there to rush it through.
So Warthorn's defense has been under pressure.
Three of the scores there have been rushed behind for Melbourne.
Langford to kick in.
Andrew Collins playing a top game in defense.
His pace a big asset.
Langford grandstand side.
Newport got a fist to it.
Morrissey.
Into the path of the big fellow Deag.
And an unkind bounce.
Good shepherd from Stein.
Sends Grinter away.
The kick not a good one.
Showing great courage was Healy.
Diving on top of the footboard.
Down goes Newport.
Crashing into him with his ears.
Goes back to the two players on the ground.
The players above them simply exchanging blows.
And now there's going to be a free kick and it's going Hawthorn's way this time.
Buccaneer quick to take it.
Crossfield.
McGuinness.
On the overlap.
Langford up from full back.
Goes long into the forward line.
Dunstall is down there.
Got a hand to it.
Bersmer off the ground.
It's out of bounds.
Will be thrown in.
And the right full forward pocket.
Jason Dunstall.
14 goals in the two matches for Hawthorn against Melbourne this season.
1.25 on the season.
Looking for more this afternoon.
So far he's been held.
Steins, thought of the congestion.
Hall trying to crash his way through.
Bulldog by Johnson.
And the ball goes out of bounds.
Not easy when the players coming at you.
Arms flailing in that situation.
But Johnson simply hung on.
Well the wet conditions certainly evening things up in favour of Melbourne.
When they last played Hawthorn jumped them and had six goals in the first quarter of now.
Not today.
Platten off the left boot.
Won't make the distance.
Dunstall is down there.
Comes to the back of the pack.
Love it.
Number 17.
He's going to be beaten to it by his teammates.
Stretch.
Couldn't take clean possession.
And the ball is rushed out.
When it was looking dangerous on the goal square.
Now it's out of bounds.
55 metres out.
And here's a free kick.
Melbourne's way deliberately out of bounds by Dipia Domenico.
Will be on fire.
And the free kick will be taken by Brian Wilson.
Shocking kick.
Straight onto the chest of Brereton.
And Brereton's got it about 80 metres from goal.
Well did Hawthorn ever jump them the last time they played?
It was eight goals to one in the first quarter.
Today it's two goals to one.
Stine's thumps to the front.
It goes to Grinter.
Distance with a hurried kick on the turn.
Spalding's after it with Mew.
Mew taps for teammates.
Airs up from defence.
They don't mind crossing lines.
Hawthorn to centre half forward.
Stine's a good mark.
Getting back well Melbourne.
Double teaming Dunstall on occasions.
Stine's towards the members side.
Collins well played to Schwab.
Platton cleverly done.
Platton from 55 metres.
Long kick towards full forward.
Brereton.
Yes it's interesting.
Fourth mark and all chest marks.
And Brereton's just causing Dersma problems because he's dropping back.
As we see it again.
Dersma trying to play in front.
But Brereton's just reading the kick better off the boot.
Four chest marks.
The superstar of the VFL.
Dermot Brereton.
From 10 metres out.
Gets the goal.
The foreign bill. I thought you were going to pay that out of your cheque account.
There's no money left in it.
Well use the other one.
I can't touch that for about another month.
But it's your money Ralph.
But then the interest went to...
When the state bank launched the state banking system.
It put 400,000 Victorians back in control of their money.
Let's pull some out of your interest bearing deposit.
If you're still out of control.
Come and see us.
You've got to wait 90 days for that one.
So what were you saying about your money?
Hmm.
And the umpires have just made a report in the centre of the ground.
We think that Jim Steins was in the centre of the action.
Perhaps a little bit off the ball.
And Bucconara was there as well.
The two number 11s.
And they were the centre of the controversy in the preliminary final last year.
When Steins ran across the mark and Bucconara kicked the goal that beat Melbourne.
Here's Dipliadomenico out of the centre.
The free was going to be paid.
Advantage was on.
Up the duster in at thrice.
Stretch does the punching away.
Platten's come into the game in the last five.
It comes away here to Pritchard.
He snaps the goal.
Chance for Brereton again.
And a last minute spoil by Hughes.
And it's rushed through for a behind.
Fantastic play then from Platten.
The ball was always on the ground and very hard to...
keep his body over it and forced it forward.
It's interesting.
We see Brereton back leading consistently on Dersma.
As the kick comes in.
Knocked down by Steins.
Love it as he pushed in the back.
No free.
Dipliadomenico.
Just ward off Yates.
He's got the free kick for the high tackle initially.
Goes in short.
Spears the pass to Abbott.
And Hughes belatedly arriving on the scene.
Could well be 50.
And I think the Hawthorne players have reason to be upset there.
But they want to hang onto the footy.
Forget about this.
And take their kick.
Hughes rather ungainly.
And applying pressure after the mark was taken.
Yes it's very true, Genesty.
He is giving him 50.
Yes, good umpiring umpires here.
I just hope they don't get too carried away.
I think there's been a couple of free kicks.
That they've really gone overboard on.
That's fair enough.
I mean there was nothing wrong with that.
But it was the bit at the end there.
The finishing touches.
Yes.
50 metres and...
Of course 50 metres would put him in the grandstand.
Here's Abbott.
Point blank range.
Another one for the Hawks.
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Well the weather is on again, off again.
At the moment it's pelting with rain once more.
Hawthorne a couple of goals.
And there's Chris Whitman having been treated in the rooms.
I don't think we'll see him back.
Well Hawthorne a couple of goals in the last two minutes.
And all of a sudden there.
4-4 to 1-goal for Melbourne into attack now.
Sporting a good pick up.
Pass away to Williams.
And from 25 metres he should have done better than that.
There's a lot of players slipping.
Michael Tuck slipped over then which gave Williams the easy contest.
Or in fact almost no contest.
As Dip clear Domenico and Todd Viny are at the Olympic Games in the sumo wrestling division.
There's the kick in.
Members side.
Too far away from the fight actually.
Ball runs out of bounds.
Greta and Platten tracking it.
Towards the seven brollies.
Dip clear Domenico and Viny broken up.
And there's the clock running down towards quarter time.
Steins and Dia.
Dia does well.
Newport lays it off to Healy.
Hooks it back towards half forward.
New was up to knock away.
Lovell an opportunity.
Surrounded by Hawthorne players.
Sporting should get a free kick.
And the ball was being held by the way.
Well Spalding.
Too far out to score I'd venture to say.
He'll kick from about 60 metres.
Hawthorne 4-4 Melbourne 1-5.
Close to quarter time.
Spalding.
Awayward kick.
It'll go out of bounds in the right full forward pocket.
He'd be disappointed with that because that really should have put pressure on the goal square.
With a free opportunity like that.
And that slippery ball very hard to control.
Here's Langford.
Bring it back in then.
Good turn this for the Hawks.
Bearing in mind that Hawthorne have the breeze.
And it might be worth about two goals.
And at the moment their lead is 17 points.
So it's not quite three goals.
Here's a kick by Lovell.
Can't keep it in.
It's gone out before he kicked it.
So we'll come back and have a throw in.
Andy Lovell.
A remarkable first season in VFL football.
Just turned 18.
And we've heard thunder in the distance.
There's a bit of a storm around Melbourne at the moment.
And no team is going to win by a real lot in these conditions.
And Hawthorne would certainly be a better team in the dry.
Here's Ayers.
Well, that's almost like the underwater dolphin that's been going on at the Olympic Games.
But Gary Ayers just gave us them.
Anything you can find for Shelter here at the moment.
As we have just over half a minute left in the first quarter.
Ayers once more somehow gets left boot to ball.
And it's out again.
Actually, just looking at it.
Probably Melbourne have had more play in their forward line.
The Hawthorne defence has been terrific.
And we throw in.
Steyns in front.
Wins it forward.
Ayers.
Quite remarkable so far in this game.
Backhanded out by Deer.
Newport falls over.
Brilliantly picked up by Kennedy.
He leads the charge with the clock running down.
It's down to nine seconds as the ball bounces out of bounds.
About 55 metres out from Hawthorne's attacking goal.
And I think that could be the last action of the two.
Quarter time then.
Hawthorne lead this one.
The grand final of the MCG 28 to 11.
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We're back in the city.
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Live from the Mirage Resorts in Port Douglas.
See it all on the Australian television network, the Sports Network.
Now the Nissan ground report for Grand Final Day 1988.
Really with the rain it is a swirling breeze.
They're not really favouring either end.
Currently here at the MCG.
Very wet at the moment, still 17 degrees.
Further showers are expected.
And the ground after that rain is naturally a little bit slippery.
Let's go back to our central commentary position.
Our commentary team headed by Drew Morphan.
Thank you Peter.
About to get underway for the second quarter.
And during this term Melbourne will have the breeze.
Interesting to see both teams change boots at quarter time.
So they must have gone for the wet weather treads.
On the boundary line Don Scott.
Yes well Drew is a very emotional John Northey.
He spoke to the Melbourne players.
He told them it's a grand final.
He wants them to go into the packs.
They're not going to be able to get the ball forward.
Just keep it moving forward Bernie.
Yes that's basically the same message.
The Hawthorne boys must keep hitting the ball forward.
Forcing it forward as much as they can.
Keep the pressure on in the centre of the ground.
And make sure Melbourne don't get any easy kicks.
Good thanks Drew.
Don Scott and Bernie Quinlan.
Two of the veterans of VFL football.
Both are well over 300 games.
The bounce in the centre.
And knocked forward by Stines.
And he gets it about 40 metres out of the middle.
He's got a nice and a snap for goal.
But he couldn't bring it back far enough.
And the ball goes out of bounds on the full.
But all that took about 10 seconds out of the centre bounce.
It's just looking Schwab is now picking up Healy.
And actually went in the middle of the ground with him then.
So they've had them make that change.
Since Whitman is off with that arm injury.
Chris Langford kicks in for the Hawks.
Big pack gathering.
Knocked forward by Mew.
Comes to Healy.
A centering kick. He didn't go for goal.
And Michael Tuck the veteran.
So the young captain to the old captain.
Tuck goes towards the outer side.
Divya Domenico in about 30 metres of space.
Down the outer wing.
Lovett to chop it off. Takes it on the chest.
That kick.
Lovett.
Centre.
Mark is taken by Lovell.
They've done that a lot today Hawthorn.
They've just not quite pushed that 50 metre rule.
They really have smothered up.
Ward's half forward with a kick.
There's a lot of space down there for two Melbourne players.
One of them took the mark.
Greg Healy.
Now he'll kick from about 50 metres out.
You get the feeling at the present time that Melbourne needs something to spark themselves and this crowd.
Hawthorn have taken the crowd out of the game so far.
Healy.
Long towards full forward.
He's got the carry hazard.
New got his fingertips to it. It's a goal.
New touched it over the line.
Well Dennis perhaps that's the spark that needed.
Who better than the captain Greg Healy.
He found some space in the middle of the ground.
And with a very very long
torpedo kick in these conditions.
Just had enough carry
to get over the line as we watched this in replay.
The ball on the angle.
He turned it with his
right hand on the top.
And almost looked as though he might have got a hand on it.
Hawthorn by 11 points.
We're back in the centre.
Rucks go to it.
Steins wins it down yet again on the charges.
He has lasered off to Dirk O'Damnico.
He's been hit by Melbourne players.
One has got a hand in there. A timely one.
Wilson's over the ball. Tackled by two Hawthorn players.
And is penalised for holding it.
Wilson making the point.
It's a bit greasy. It's hard to get out.
O'Damnico.
It's on a little show me in time.
Showing it's not greasy. As he kicks it down towards half forward.
Dersma and Brereton.
No mark was taken. Over the ball is Hall.
Knocks it out wide. Gathered by Hughes.
Upended as he kicks.
The ball goes out into open space.
Back towards the boundary line.
There's a ball back and half forward for Hawthorn.
The ball is out of bounds on centre wing.
There's some Dermot Brereton's underneath that lock.
He really did attack Hughes fairly hard.
A couple of Melbourne players around.
Here it is here.
He tackles him fairly hard.
And Greg Healy just pushed him.
And the play goes on.
In the meantime we're back with the play.
And Mew kicks up towards centre half forward.
Dunstall hasn't had a touch as yet.
But he's going to get a free kick here.
Jason Dunstall the Queenslander.
Who led the goals for the season.
Yes and there's the push. You can see that hand just in edge of screen there.
Certainly was a push to Jason Dunstall.
125 goals for the year.
He kicks from 48 metres.
Beautiful kick. Right through the middle.
One kick, one goal.
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126 goals for the season for Jason Dunstall.
Back in the middle.
Lovett's over the ball. There's the time remaining.
Morrissey off the ground. Working it forward for the Hawks.
Taken by ears.
Towards half forward he goes. Long kick towards Avakian goals.
Where Dunstall is back.
Marks on his chest. No he doesn't. It's slid out.
And through it goes for a minor score.
Well dry day.
He hangs on.
The force behind.
Five five two five.
The early going in the second quarter.
Danny Hughes.
Recruited from South Australia. Comes members side.
Ill directed. Wrong mark.
A fellow South Australian in hall.
Marking it right half forward.
Brilliant overhead.
Just the one grand.
It's like a cake of soap. That football.
Centering kick. Big pack into the air. Off hands.
Ears again like a rover.
Knocked over by Greta.
And off he is. Brilliant deception.
Well almost. Love it. Didn't hang on.
Got a whistle.
Another bounce down.
About 35 meters out from Hawthorne's attacking goal.
They lead five five to two five.
Well the free kick goal by Jason Dunstall.
Could be very costly for Melbourne.
Because really 17 points behind at quarter time.
Wasn't too far behind.
Off the ground by Schwab.
It goes through the full forward.
And at the back Hughes is there for Melbourne.
Under pressure. Out of bounds on the full.
Great start.
Brearerton putting on the pressure.
Went off and forwards.
Might almost give it away in that situation.
And let the defender get it out of bounds.
Or get it to a teammate.
Brearerton kept going.
And Dermot Brearerton were right behind him.
As he kicks the goal. The breeze is right to left.
So it further narrows and narrowing.
Will he use a check side?
Or a banana kick?
Straight.
He has.
Oh what a goal.
Third goal to Dermot Brearerton.
And he did just that.
He used the check side.
Or as the Victorians say banana kick.
And it is a fantastic skill that there wasn't a lot else on.
And I know a lot of side center the ball.
Of which Hawthorne is one of them.
But you look at the great skills of Dermot Brearerton here.
And what a magnificent goal.
His third goal.
What a performance from Dermot Brearerton.
And a change by Melbourne.
Newport off the ground.
And Flintoff has come on to Mark Bucconara.
In the center.
Hawthorne with a bit of a break now.
There's Bione number 12.
But it's a Melbourne free kick.
It's coming back to Ricky Jackson in the center circle.
6'5 to 2 goals 5.
41 plays 17.
And we have just under 20 minutes left in the second quarter.
Jackson's kick to center half forward.
White high but couldn't mark.
Comes off the line.
Nobody back in the goal square.
Schwab getting back there.
Ball bounces a few if and Schwab is allowed to get there.
And kick it out of the fence.
Bione first there.
Slips to ground.
Clay on says the umpire.
Collins gains a few meters.
Keeps it in for Divya Domenico.
He further keeps it in.
Great stuff by Hawthorne.
And they force a ball up.
And they're getting a throw in about 10 meters from the goal.
So the grand final.
Starting to slip away from Melbourne.
They need the next goal.
Divya slaps it towards the boundary line.
Bione leads back in the race.
Kennedy going nowhere.
Swinthorpe emerges with the ball.
But we've got a whistle.
Bounce down.
Right half forward for Melbourne.
A bit further out than that.
6'5 to 2'5.
Divya and Stines close to the boundary line.
Kept in by Jackson.
A hurried kick.
Contest on 50.
Tuck comes over the top and finds the boundary line with a fist.
Isn't that terrific defensive play.
The bigger the pack the harder it is to mark.
Four Hawthorne players up all punching.
Boundary throw in.
Spalding.
Called upon to do the ruck work on the forward line.
Knocked away by Divya.
And yet again it goes out of bounds.
Four Hawthorne lead by 17 points at quarter time.
Jermit Brilken has three goals now.
That's Greg Deer.
The errands Spalding.
Falls behind them.
Flintoff.
Tackles a former teammate in Platten who threw it out.
According to the umpire.
Healy wants to go.
Ball must go to Flintoff.
He's got it then.
Too far out to score.
Boundary throw in.
Boundary throw in.
Dier number 14.
Line number three from Melbourne running out of room.
And we'll have a throw in.
So Melbourne who have the breeze in this quarter.
Is going to be the first one to come up.
It's a great ball.
It's a great ball.
It's a great ball.
It's a great ball.
It's a great ball.
It's a great ball.
It's a great ball.
Melbourne who have the breeze in this quarter.
Have been outscored two goals to one by the Hawks.
And it's a 24 point lead to Hawthorn.
Melbourne need to start to take advantage of their use of the breeze.
Melbourne need to start to take advantage of their use of the breeze.
Melbourne need to start to take advantage of their use of the breeze.
Ares has been a superb player.
Long kick into the breeze to centre wing.
Johnson's back there.
And takes a fine sliding lay.
Alan Johnson.
To half forward.
Williams is there underneath the ball.
Comes to the back to Mew.
No great distance with that one.
Morrissey and Dipliade Domenico both went for it.
Stine's great courage.
Morrissey there for Hawthorn.
And out of the starting blocks.
Pass Brearick and it goes.
Inside 50.
Abbots there.
Pull to the ground by Hughes.
Lucky not to give away a free kick.
Morrissey taps out brilliantly.
Dipliade Domenico from 25 metres.
Great kick.
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Hawthorn lead by 30 points.
Here's Platten.
Towards half forward yet again.
Brearick leads in the race.
Unkind bounce.
Dersma thumps it towards the boundary line.
Stretch just inside the line.
Stumbles. Kicks it away.
Bounces out of bounds.
Up towards right half back for the demons.
The last two goals kicked by Hawthorn.
Sat the morale of any team.
Brearick and the check side punt.
Dipliade Domenico.
On the run.
Deep in the pocket.
Boundary throw in. Hughes over the top.
Flintoff. Got the deflection to Lovell.
Again the tackling. Supreme by Hawthorn.
Kennedy runs away with the ball.
Awkward half volley. Gathered brilliantly by Dunstall.
He pulls it back.
Marcus taken by Hughes.
Members side with a kick. Two on one situation.
Yates needs to run hard to support his teammate.
Comes over the top.
Well done. Wilson to Yates.
Yates from half back towards half forward.
Spalding on a lead.
Stretches every senior to take the mark on his chest.
Bill Spalding.
Plays on. Around you.
Melbourne desperately need a goal.
Long kick towards the kick off line.
But Gary Ayres. The Hawthorn base captain.
A starring role so far this afternoon.
Gets it out to Dipliade Domenico.
Eleven positions Ayres.
Dipliade Domenico from half back.
Center of the ground.
Morrissey.
Down in Morrissey.
A big leap.
And they're kicking well into the breeze.
Oh almost a great mark.
It comes off hands to Abbott.
Who goals?
Two goals to Paul Abbott.
As the Hawthorn pressure continues.
Morrissey.
A focal point almost up forward.
With that great tap for Dipliade Domenico's goal.
And then a fine mark in the center of the goal.
The kick goes forward.
Brewer at an almost.
What a fantastic mark running back.
And then Abbott the rover.
The big fella's done very well off hands.
Great play from Hawthorn.
Todd Viny's off the ground.
There's the score. Eight five.
To five.
Time remaining.
Hawthorn enjoying a great second quarter.
Went off. Sends Lovell away.
Shocking kick. The wards half forward.
Taken by Jackson.
Lyon left it behind.
McGinnis. Great tackle by Lyon.
Found him very quickly.
And they tie it up. It's set a half forward.
For Melbourne.
Pritchard looking on.
Delighted Hawthorn supporters.
Getting the chant going.
It's all they might.
Dia.
Clenched fist back towards the middle.
Kennedy in the grasp almost before he had the ball.
Wendoff is doing well. Lays it off to Johnson.
Out wide to Yates.
Yates from right centre wing.
They have been switched to the other side of the ground.
Tuck was pushed in the back.
Williams didn't play that one very well.
Collins comes away. The advantage is paid.
Melbourne in deep trouble at the present time.
Good mark is taken in front there.
Phoebe.
Phoebe. Short passes.
Grinter. The signs are all bad as far as Melbourne are concerned.
Grinter.
That's a better looking kick.
McGuinness gets a fist on it. Green in front.
Gets it across to Platten.
Quick exchange. Gives the ball to Dia.
Pushed off the kick. Back comes McGuinness.
To Platten. Langford intended for green.
Showing courage Yates.
Held without it surely. No free kick.
Vivian Minnico there was held without it.
Again no free. Platten with courage.
Brilliantly done. Gets it to Buccanara.
He tries to hand it across to Kennedy.
Down with a Melbourne player in there.
That was Lovett. Crashing in Phoebe.
In goes Steins. Tackled by Kennedy.
Down he goes. It's Bills to Dia.
But who's worked it forward?
Hawthorne worked it forward.
Ayers.
Deserves a goal it misses.
But there is the secret. There is the story of Hawthorne.
Fantastic.
Minute of play there. Well they just absolutely
forced the ball with brute strength.
Over about a 50 metre period.
And Gary Ayers just let the side down
with the kick at the end.
Signs are bad for Melbourne.
Into the breeze Hawthorne kicked 4-4
to one goal in this quarter.
Vivian Minnico takes the mark.
Just outside half forward flank.
65 metres from goal.
Dunstall a chance. Climbs high.
Can't mark. Comes to the back. Buccanara.
Well.
He wasn't too sure what to do and it certainly ran out of room.
And it went through for a behind
off Buccanara.
Actually Gary Buccanara has been pretty quiet.
Just two possessions.
Kick in comes from
Grinter.
Hall there in the marking contest.
Line at the foot.
Montauk calls for it.
And will ball it up.
But it's 8-7. 55 to 2-5.
17.
So a lot to do for Melbourne.
And they're running out of wind assisted time in this second quarter.
Just over 12 minutes left.
Half forward flank for the Hawks.
Tapped out by Steins.
Comes to Abbott. Abbott playing well.
Got a couple of goals.
Brereton couldn't take the mark.
Buccanara hooks back.
Out of bounds on the full.
And.
Touch says the umpire.
And it's going to be a throw in rather than a free kick to Melbourne.
So Hawthorne
still in attack.
It was an Abbott a valuable player.
Turned the ruckwork up forward. Kicking goals.
And really on a day when it shouldn't suit him.
What do you say when you're roving to it?
I suppose hey Abbott.
One forward there by Steins.
Johnson in the goals square.
Across the face of goal.
Out wide.
One out contest now. This will be interesting.
We've got a minute go.
A couple of Melbourne players collide.
Langford did nicely.
Got it to green.
They can do no wrong at the present time the Hawks.
This is John Platten.
From the true centre half forward position.
Little champ.
He's a long kicker to football and he really does go with it.
See what he can do.
Not a good one.
But Abbott almost the mark.
Kennedy on the burst.
Still he goes Kennedy with strength.
And eventually Love it.
Besides the force of the high.
8-8 to 2-5.
Swirling breeze now at the MCG.
Overcast conditions.
It's slippery out there.
But the rain has stopped.
He's been superb.
Green.
Thought about the release. Now he goes for the kick.
Love it's in front and he takes the mark for Melbourne.
Hops over a short one to Yates.
They've had plenty of time at half back flank.
Kick by Yates is smothered beautifully by Mew.
And that's an example of how Hawthorn don't mind crossing lines.
You have half backs coming up winning possessions.
Forward of centre.
And centreman almost in the forward pocket.
Great play then by Mew.
And we've seen Langford do it plenty of times as well.
Comes to the back to Jackson.
His kick over centre wing.
Whipped away by Collins.
No distance in the kick.
Kennedy spoiled.
Chance for Hall. Centre half forward.
60 metres out. Outnumbered 2-1.
And the numbers beat him.
Grinter got it but the tackle came pretty quickly.
And the heel he was playing for the three rubs on the ball.
Here's Wilson taking a fine mark.
Up just forward of centre wing.
56 plays. 17. Hawthorn well in front.
Williams in front.
And marks just outside 50.
Nothing that Tuck could do about that.
David Williams.
Who scored Melbourne's only goal in the first quarter.
Can he make the distance from about 55?
Well he's well short.
Chance here.
Oops. Bit of a boot came out.
Mew was able to ride it alright.
Plattons come right back in after a slow start.
Collins away to Bucconara.
Bucconara clears. Just weight of numbers for Hawthorn.
He's playing it every time.
This time Wilson marks centre wing.
Brian Wilson.
To love it.
Love it. Kicks down towards the pocket.
Uncontested.
Bucconara.
Is it right half back and away.
Bucconara. Members side with a kick. Not a good one.
It tumbles back towards Wilson.
He dropped it. Picked up by Morrissey.
Shrugs the tackle. Clever little hand pass over the top.
Schwab now. Plattons in space.
He's going through the middle.
Dunstall on a lead towards the pocket.
He's yards, metres.
However you want to step it out in front of Hughes.
Here's what's happened there.
His stretch has gone on to Tipier de Minico.
He really is playing very well.
Hughes now back at full back.
Nice.
Jason Dunstall.
From the 50 metre line.
A bad looking kick. That's close.
That's a goal.
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You're the ones who might have to cut back on the restaurants.
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It's just that it'll give us more time with the kids.
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Hawthorne bolting away in this quarter.
Platon with 10 possessions.
Ayres, 14 possessions.
DiPierre Domenico, 12.
And here they go, just forcing it forward.
But finally Phoebe gets the soccer off the ground to reverse the trend.
But finally Phoebe gets the soccer off the ground to reverse the trend.
Tapped up the ground by Mew.
Green lost out.
Lyon, the hand pass.
Spalding.
Bouncing in no man's land at half forward.
Bouncing clear of the pack.
Williams there with Tuck.
Was it a trip? No said the umpire.
But Hawthorne back there.
And here's the Ruckman Greg Deer playing the role of a rover.
And his kick over centre wing.
All ready to haul. Lyon comes to meet him.
Lyon did well to get his body in between opponent and ball.
And there's Gary Ayres.
I don't know what position Gary Ayres is playing.
He's everywhere.
He's definitely playing on the ball, Drew.
10 kicks, 4 hand passes, 2 marks to Gary Ayres.
I think he's running down with Greg Healy when he goes on the ball.
And more than one is playing on the ball.
Lyon's minus a boot.
He's battling for the ball there.
This is Green close to the boundary line.
Does well.
Flatten, cleverly.
Off the ground by Healy though.
White, haven't seen much of him.
Kennedy emerges with the ball.
Awards half forward.
Brereton brilliantly worked his way to the front.
Goes again. And again.
Great stuff by the champ.
And eventually will get a ball.
And knocked off the ball.
The only bloke going for the ball.
And really putting himself in has been penalized.
Yes, he's hurt.
He's having words.
Watch this.
Three contests in a row.
Got to the front initially.
Well, he should have got the kick.
I don't think there's much question about that.
Winter. Awards half forward for Melbourne.
Through the hands of Collins.
He goes back immediately and paddles it towards the boundary line.
Well done.
It's 37 and counting down.
Remaining in this turn.
Nine, eight Hawthorn. Two, five.
Melbourne.
It's going to be a free kick.
It's going Hawthorn's way after the boundary throw in.
It will be taken by Dia.
Who's asking for 50 meters.
It won't be forthcoming.
This is disappointing.
For the big crowd.
It says 100,000 we venture to say.
At present time.
Hawthorn putting on something of a clinic.
As they go with them.
This is Johnson.
Soc it off the ground by Morrissey.
A beautiful pick up.
Morrissey goes for a goal.
What a beauty.
Hasn't he come alive in this second quarter.
James Morrissey.
He's a very, very good player.
When coming on the ground.
In their last game they played.
Obviously earned his place in the side.
He really has been a lively player.
He's got a lot of touch.
Chose to handball right handed instead of left handed.
Gives Morrissey time.
To smother and then a great kick for goal.
Fantastic play.
It's now 6 goals to one in this quarter.
An absolute bath Melbourne are taking here at the moment.
Having qualified from fifth place.
Lovell's kick straight onto the chest of Mew.
And he feeds it off to Collins.
Pokes it out wide to Ayers.
Has knocked up getting the ball.
Wide for Hall. He dives.
Almost a slips catch.
Oh he didn't have it when Phoebe pushed him in the back.
And a free kick to Tony Hall.
His start on Brownlow night.
Didn't quite win it.
But in his first season of VFL football.
Was certainly under the notice of the umpires.
Kick by Hall.
Breret now at number 2 to 1. Comes to the back to Grinter.
Eventually gets a handle on the ball.
No man's land.
Deer straight at the ball. Spills to Platten.
Out wide the kick.
Grinter takes the mark.
Would have been his anyway.
So I think it would have gone out on the floor.
Brought Grinter from the back pocket.
Oh smothered again.
And that's Bucconara just like Morris he did.
But instead of Bucconara getting a goal.
He wins a boundary throw.
Yes that indecision.
Just not doing the first thing.
They're trying to get something going.
Hawthorne lead 10-8 to 2-5.
Jackson back towards center wing for Melbourne.
Hall was up in front. Couldn't take the mark.
This is Wright.
Double little kick around the corner. Bounces obligingly for Wilson.
Wilson.
Well it was interesting. It comes across towards Lovell.
Vice like grip applied by Mew.
But Lovell's going to get the free kick.
Well John Norby who's done a great job.
To get Melbourne this far.
Now has a dawning prospect.
At half time.
He's going to have to regroup this side.
And do it very quickly. Into the forward line goes the kick.
Platton charges into the pack.
It's tied up by Ayers.
I think we'll get a ball up.
He's really got to do a job John Norby.
To save his side from getting humiliated.
In the second half. There he is.
Don't envy him that.
Spalding and Deer.
Deer trying to get it towards the boundary line.
Guess who's got it.
Ayers.
Breaking packs at will.
A high kick comes back towards half back flank for Hawthorne.
Gathered by Phoebe.
Hooks it around the corner. In front was Lyon.
Deflection comes across to Greg Healy.
Can it be a goal? Will it come back?
No it won't.
They can't buy a goal with Demons at the present time.
They might have to swing some positional changes at half time.
John Norby.
Sean White on the forward line.
Has had just two kicks.
He's been mostly a defender.
Except for in the final series when he spent most of his time on the forward line.
He's been a defender for the last two years.
He's been in the game for the last two years.
He's been playing and playing and playing.
He's been playing in the game from the beginning.
Had a great game today in these greasy conditions.
Just not seeing the ball.
And a lot of the Melbourne members.
Some of them I suppose are coming to the football for the first time in a quarter of a century.
Can't understand Melbourne getting glitz like this.
Here's Sean White outside of his foot.
And just misses from close range but a very tight angle.
Yes he really did hurry that a bit then too Sean White.
He had a bit more time than that but
I guess that's the way Melbourne are playing at the moment.
not playing confidently and he really could have gone another couple steps and made sure of it.
As well he's been shooting for goal kicking in after behinds and winning the ball around the
middle of the ground. Big pack develops here two hawks applying the tackle seems to always be two
to one this time there's no free kick for it. Line gives it to the umpire and will have a ball up on
the edge of the centre square. 68 plays 19 Hawthorne in their sixth grand final in a row
well on top of Melbourne who are novices at this game. Not one Melbourne player has played in a
grand final. Kennedy away to Platon was brilliant play. Platon off the left Dunstall that's how he's
kicked over 120 goals this year with delivery like that. That was superb stuff the hand passes
at close quarters and then the finish as we look at this what they do see they chip the ball out
in front of Dunstall and let him run into it he does attack the football like a good player
and his kicking kick one earlier from over this side was a great goal so two goals so far to
Jason Dunstall all in this quarter lining up for his third. 127 for the season more than 40 ahead
of the next best Dunstall goes for goal and we give him a wrap let you down two goals one.
The Dermot Brereton's kicked three goals for the match and has been a vital influence. He was
goalless last year against Reese Jones who won the medal for the best player on the ground
and he's hit back pretty well today. Here's members side with a kick it's a high one. Paul
almost the mark. Schwab with courage diving on the ball. Oh gee. Are you kissing? Yeah couldn't see
the ball he umpired that time. Can't see the scoreboard. There goes the kick. He's got the
ball. There goes the kick from Phoebe towards half forward. He is over the top almost the mark.
It's taken by Lyon hooks it around the corner in front Healy fell over Morrissey gets it out of
bounds. Yes the umpire is now his head obviously guessing umpire Sheeham with that last decision
because the ball clearly from our vantage point it's spilt loose towards the boundary line.
117 remaining up goes white opportunity for Hall feeds it wide it's taken by Schwab into the path
is close to the boundary line brilliantly done and again depth deflections Kennedy back towards
Morrissey over the top the hand pass from Platten intended for Hall chopped out by Lovett
Steins back towards half forward from Melbourne and Healy takes the mark on his chest.
Can they get a late goal? Here's Healy just over 50 seconds remaining and he finds Williams at full
stretch directly in front of goal about 40 meters out.
Excellent kick from Healy then and great fingertip mark from Williams.
Williams has kicked one goal one this kick from about 43 meters is offline and Melbourne really
need those to even make this a contest. At the moment they look like a bloke at the wrong end
of the driving range getting about 40 cents a bucket. Well just 15 seconds left to half time
and Deer works it out of defense Lovett gets to the front and takes a good mark in front of Kennedy
but no time left for Melbourne to get another score and this has been a first half bath.
Indah Johnson long kick. Siren goes before a mark can be taken that's it half time 10.969 to 2.820.
Well Melbourne who have been superb right through this final series they've won
four games in the last month but they haven't come up against the might of Hawthorne in this
present mood and I wonder what John Northey and the match committee can do at half time.
Maybe positional changes maybe a general rev up. There goes Alan Joyce he'd be pleased.
At half time here Hawthorne 10.969 leading Melbourne to 2.820.
Oh
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The 2Es 1000 from Bathurst live and exclusive to Seven. We've got it covered from every angle.
In the 1988 Grand Final Hawthorn leads by 49 points at half time. Major goal kickers for
Hawthorn Brereton 3 and 2 each to Dunstan and Abbott and to Melbourne. Williams has one and
Healy also has one goal. Great second quarter by Hawthorn they kick six goals to one. Peter McKenna
and Ian Robertson happy to see. Well Pete I think it's what a lot of people really thought could
happen. Melbourne coming up Hawthorn an absolute machine. They haven't got a weak link out there.
Brereton setting the example at centre half forward. The back line I think you'd agree
that back line has been absolutely superb particularly is in the back pocket Ian. Yeah
well I mentioned that that is a very big key in Hawthorns the way they play football. They come
out of defence. Ayres has just been absolutely tremendous but players up in their forward line
have been great as well in keeping the ball in and not giving the demons any possible space whatsoever
anywhere on the ground. Brereton you mentioned was tremendous. The statistics show that Melbourne
have had a share of the football but every time they've had that share they've been under enormous
pressure. Hawthorn's tackling absolutely superb right throughout the game. It's put the Melbourne
youngsters under enormous pressure. Okay that's it at half time Hawthorn with a very handy lead
of 49 points. We're going to take a break and when we return we'll be back with the
Meyer Australian television lip work half time spectacular. Come to a very special part of the
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Ladies and gentlemen,
Myer and Channel 7, the Australian television network, proudly present the Myer VFL Grand Finals tribute to the bicentenary.
Something's happening, something's going on around here. Have you noticed there's a feeling of something in the air?
It's a feeling that keeps growing from the outback to the clean. It's a feeling, it's true.
It's easy.
Let's lend a hand and show the world how great we all can be. All those years of sweat and tears. Yes, of ice and celery.
Celebration of the nation. Give us a hand. Let's make it grand. Let's make it great in 88. Come on, give us a hand.
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My father's hands he worked with steel. From bails of sweat they forged the pipes. Bending, twisting, listering over our made-made sun.
My father's eyes burned like the beast. That although cornered will not cease. Pushing, accusing, refusing to be won.
Lucky to be an Australian. Lucky to be, lucky to be an Australian.
My father's heart beats like a hammer. Bald and heavy, chill the whistle. Chilling, killing, spilling steel yards when the day is done.
Lucky to be an Australian. Lucky to be, lucky to be an Australian.
Like the man who breathes in chemicals. Like the man who breathes in steel. A dream becomes reality. Reality becomes a dream.
My father's hands he worked with steel. Through bails of sweat they forged the pipes. Bending, twisting, listering over our made-made sun.
Lucky to be an Australian. Lucky to be lucky to be. An Australian.
Lucky to be, lucky to be an Australian.
I love this suburb country, the land of sweetly plain.
The rugged mountain ranges, the droughts and flooding rains.
I love her for her horizons, I love her juicy beauty and her terror.
The white ground land for me, ooh Australia for me.
The core of my heart, my country, the land of the rainbow gold.
The plant of fire and famine, she pees his back three four.
But when the grey clouds gather and we can bless again,
I'm rubbing off an army of steady soaking rain.
I love this suburb country, the land of sweeping plains.
The rugged mountain ranges, the droughts and flooding rains.
I love this suburb country, the land of the rainbow gold.
The white ground land for me, ooh Australia for me.
The white ground land for me, ooh Australia for me.
Australia for me.
And there it was, I'm sure you'll agree, a very, very spectacular tribute to Australia's bicentenary.
And after we had the rain in the first and second quarters, it was bright sunshine to shine on a half-time spectacular,
a very warm round of applause to all concerned.
The thousands of youngsters there, very, very colourfully attired in the green and golds,
the members of the Australian Army who performed so critically out there in the middle.
It's bright sunshine at the MCG. We're still at half-time in the 1988 VFL Grand Final.
We'll take a break from all studios and be back for the action to start the second half in just a few minutes.
Now for about the cost of four days, you can rent any budget car up to a Commodore for seven days.
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Violence and crime increasingly affect all our lives.
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The government will increase our police force by 2,000 men and women and give them the powers and resources they need
to combat this rising tide of crime, to make Victoria a better, safer place to live.
Authorised by DCAMP, Liberal Party, Melbourne.
Welcome back to the MCG.
Check the half-time scores in the 88th Grand Final, Hawthorn 10-9-69, leading Melbourne 2-8-20 points.
Two quarters to go, Hawthorn in charge at the moment, but still a long way from home as we go back to our central commentary position.
Drew Morphett, Dennis Comedie and Malcolm Black.
Thank you, Peter. And now bright sunshine here at the MCG.
And that was great for all those kids who are out there for the half-time entertainment.
And I think the teams might appreciate it too in the second half.
On the boundary line, Don Scott and Bernie Quinn.
Yes, well the Melbourne Rooms weren't really a good place to be at half-time.
John Northey, very, very irate.
As soon as the players went in there, he started telling them exactly what he thought and where they were going wrong.
And then the match committee went and conferred, and I think there will be one or two positional changes, Bernie.
Yeah, well the news is that Chris Whitman has dislocated his right elbow, so he will take no further part in the match.
There was an air of confidence in the Hawthorn Rooms.
They've obviously done the hard work in the first half.
They don't want to waste it, they want to assert their authority in this first ten or so minutes of this third quarter and make sure that Melbourne do not get back in the game.
Good, thanks, Bernie. Back to you boys up in the commentary box.
Thank you, Don and Bernie. Let's take a look at some individual statistics.
Firstly, Greg Deer in the ruck for Hawthorn, and he's had five kicks, 14 hit-outs.
And against him, Jim Steins in the ruck, well he's had seven kicks and 15 hit-outs.
And that for a man who's only taken up the game in about the last five years.
Robert Divieta-Menico has had ten kicks and two hand passes. It's been great.
Rod Grinter, six kicks and three hand balls for the tough defender.
Probably their best player.
Yes, Brian Wilson, 12 possessions.
Brian Sheehan to start the second half. It's a 49-point leeway for Melbourne to make up. Steins in the ruck against Deer.
Deer a hand to it. Bucconara first on it.
Beaten to it by Lovell eventually, pulled off the ball.
Ayers gets it across to Morrissey, threads out the hand pass and away they go again.
Green to Divieta-Menico in front, but misses to the right.
Just looking at the changes, Rod Grinter. He'll be playing centre half back on Dermot Brereton.
With Dersma going onto the flank.
Ayers kicking it in to the outer side.
Melbourne have got the numbers out there, but Hall in front takes the mark.
Bucconara towards the pocket and Dunstall, pushed in the back surely and he'll get the free kick.
Jason Dunstall, has two goals so far.
Here's the indication for the push.
He'll be watching replay there.
In a lot of trouble, they've had to move stretch off of him and of course Hughes just lacks that early zip to go with Dunstall and a great kick from Bucconara.
No venom in that push.
Looked a little worse than it was, but still Dunstall's got the ball.
A chance to extend the lead for Hawthorne.
In the bright sunshine now he goes Goldwood and misses to the near side.
Here's the second 11 Hawthorne, Melbourne 2-8.
Fabian Blaney looking on.
And Hughes.
Looking for something to kick to.
Goes towards the outer side, yet again.
Again Hawthorne in best position to take the mark, but Deer couldn't hang on that time.
This is Newport in trouble, gets it across towards Lovell.
Has to paddle it out to Wilson, who sockers off the ground towards centre wing.
Comes out with it again. His kick inside 50.
Hawthorne tried to hack it off the ground, picked up by the veteran Green.
Russell Green goes for goal.
That hooked it across to the left.
Hawthorne have done all the scoring but haven't managed a goal yet, early in the third quarter.
Now on Joyce looking on there.
Just pretty pleased at this stage, of course knowing that there's still almost a half to go.
Hawks three behinds in the opening two minutes of the half.
Steins in front, Umpire pays the mark.
So Jim Steins, who was at the centre of the controversy when Melbourne lost the preliminary final last year,
hasn't been able to make up for it so far with a revenge win here.
Mu didn't get first touch there, Umpire didn't pay the mark.
Comes away to Lyon, who's quickly buried.
Healy in over the ball, Umpire Cameron calls for it and is going to ball it up on centre wing.
They've been ferocious in the packs all the time, they really are at you and at you all the time, putting heaps of pressure on.
One down by Deer, Johnson, stretch now, great tackle again that time from Ayers.
And still the tackling goes on.
Healy got it across to Lovett though, Lovett goes towards centre half, Ford Williams up in front,
couldn't take the mark, Lyon an opportunity from 40 metres, will it skid through?
Yes it does.
And you could be there.
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72-26, much needed goal for Melbourne, that's an understatement.
Flintoff out of the middle, towards half forward, Schwab, well played with the hand pass to Shane Untidy.
Buccaneer breaks two tackles, well done, high kick towards half forward and Kennedy, who's been a willing worker today, takes the mark.
Wheels onto his right foot, that's intended for Dunstall, up in front, couldn't take the mark, threw his fingertips, socket off the ground by Johnson out towards the boundary and will have a throw in.
Dermot Brereton, as he does so often, comes back with new boots in the second half and he's gone for the colours.
The iridescence. Johnson, his kick on the turn short of centre wing.
McGuinness runs out of room and will have a boundary throw in, in between wing and half back for Melbourne.
72-26, it would have to be the biggest comeback since Lazarus if Melbourne were to get up and win from here after the trend of the first half.
Steins takes clean possession, off the left boot, great athleticism, but his kick is off the side of the boot and out of bounds on the full.
And the free kick into play will be taken by Collins.
Just under 21 minutes left in the third quarter, Collins kick over the centre.
Steins again to Schwab.
Schwab's kicked a half forward, Dersma couldn't take the mark, it comes to the back to Green, away to Bucconara, a centering kick for Dunstall, one out with Hughes, too easy.
It's a devil in the deep blue sea for Melbourne here. Dunstall really is causing Hughes a lot of problems and I think what Melbourne are trying to do is stretch up the ground and get some attack as we see the pushing and shoving really going Dunstall's way.
Jason Dunstall going for his third, no problem.
You're always hearing the worst about insurance companies.
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I suppose I'm like most people, I don't like fronting up with a claim, especially a big one, but I had a new for old policy with the SIO and they paid out in full, no problems.
Can't ask more than that.
Lost the footy momentarily. There's one interesting move this tennis with Flintoff taking platinum level had him early then he broke loose in that second quarter.
It was very good last week in a tagging role Flintoff against Carlton.
The assignment tougher this afternoon, given the circumstances, Dia, grimly determined.
11, 12, 3, 8 is the time remaining. Here's the base of that pack level tackled by Buccanara.
Healy, Melbourne, been ground down so far, a relentless Hawthorne side this afternoon.
Cameron bounces, neither Ruckman touched it, Flintoff, out of mid-air an attempt by Platon, look at him go, Platon at the base of that pack, another bounce down.
I think he's been on the ball all day, I can't remember where he's ever changed. I think he's been on the ball for the whole game.
And why not, why he's played. Quiet to start but then burst into prominence, especially in that second quarter.
Another opportunity for Healy now, his opposite number, was he tripped, not according to the umpire.
Hand pass comes across from Viny, pushed towards the boundary line by Melbourne, they still go after it.
Out of bounds from Tuck eventually, a lot of effort, a little return.
The crowd perhaps getting behind their side in the case of Melbourne, could be for the final tie.
They rally the demons, just over 19 minutes remaining, Diaz in front, he's done well this afternoon, Spaulding, Platon tackles him on the ground, and another bounce down.
Steve Newport finds himself on the bench early in the third quarter, as he did early in the first kicker so far, just two hand passes.
Ball up on by Cameron, backhander by Viny, comes to Spaulding, top tackle put him to the ground.
Paddle out, intercepted by Platon, and he sprints away from Jackson. Platon's kicked a half forward, Brereton in front, Gwendolyn has foiled, the ball goes out of play, and look at them at Brereton's boots.
He is honestly nearly bigger than the game itself.
Steins tries to tail off, Brereton went through and decked him.
Play on says the umpire, there's a fight on here right on the logo, centre wing. Will we go with the footy? We're better I think.
It comes out to Mew, Mew from the centre, the fight's still going, Mew's kicked the full forward, this time Dersma's in front.
DiPietro Menico went in there, he and Viny haven't been the best of friends, Brereton's got the Guernsey off.
There you are girls.
Dersma, he's got a sense of humour, he kicks it back towards the fight. Off hands, Wilson crawling after the ball.
DiPietro Menico to Ayers, again, great composure, Buccanara into open space, what a kick, what a weave.
Now Dersma, Honda Dunstall still can't stop those great skills of Buccanara.
And that's really around that midfield area where they really are creating havoc and using the ball brilliantly in these better conditions now.
And Jason Dunstall leading goal kicker going for his fourth goal for the day.
He'll kick from about 35 metres out, 45 degree angle.
Simply too many good players to try and stop from Melbourne's perspective.
Dunstall, a study and concentration, there goes the kick, it looks pretty good.
It's another goal towards the Premiership.
Bye darling.
When your muffler stops it, you might as well have the best.
You might as well have one fitted by a bro.
You might as well, you might as well, you might as well, you might as well, you might as well you know.
Your mitres will get a guaranteed quality muffler at a competitive price.
You might as well have the best.
Dunstall has four goals, Hawthorn has a big lead, 84 to 26.
We're back in the middle, Stines and Deer, as they've done all day, with the exception of the first bounce.
Go at it again, there's the time remaining. Clean possession taken by Stines.
Didn't go very far with the kick. Lyon works it towards half forward.
They're standing in the way. Humps it down towards left half forward.
Brereton controls it like a policeman.
As he pushed in the back, he was held to that, it says the umpire.
Grinter is dislodged.
And Brereton will take this kick at left half forward.
The boots shining in the sunshine.
This could be a pretty hot contest. They both were suspended for six weeks during the year.
Grinter standing the mark. Didn't go over his head, it sailed off to the right.
Abbott's got it though, to Green.
Put about the hand past the air. Still he goes to Russell Green.
Pulls it back across his body. They'll contest about five metres out.
Off hands and through for a minor score.
The veteran 300 game player, Russell Green.
Really starting to work his way into this game.
Jamie Dersma not looking too good.
He is one of three former Hawthorne players who have finished up playing for Melbourne
against their original team here today.
Of course Dersma has been to about 14 other clubs as well.
Dip it in and he goes over hand past Plyne, but it's picked up by Kennedy.
He goes long for goal off line and through for a behind.
Jamie Dersma in his most unusual career.
Not wanted by Hawthorne.
Into the Sydney Swans, the Brisbane Bears.
Spilled for Sandringham and the VFA for a while.
Stretch a big climb up very early.
Has to have given away the free kick.
And guess who's going to come up with it?
Gary Ayres, who has had 13 kicks, seven hand passes.
He should call it a shade early, just a shade impetuous probably.
But I think Melbourne have got to do that.
They've really got to start to up their initiative and rating.
They really must try some things now and really start to run and move this football around.
Ayres goes for the short pass, Hawthorne getting in space.
Tony Hall was off, he's caught by Johnson.
Now Plye pins him for holding the ball.
That was pretty quick.
Johnson takes it quickly.
Over centre wing.
Two against two, it comes to the back to Schwab.
He does well to trap it and tunnel it.
Lyon there for Melbourne.
Gets the hand pass away.
Flintoff off the ground.
Vatton's there with Wilson.
Two Brownlow middle is going for it.
Great contest.
All goes out of bounds.
But a pleasure to watch.
We have it Hawthorne defence didn't let that ball around get behind them.
Schwab just desperate.
Everybody keeping the ball in front of them.
12-14 to 3-8.
Deer decisively got it down to Hall.
Walks away.
Gets the hand pass across to Buccaneer.
But in the meantime it comes back to Deer.
Working hard this afternoon.
Untidy kick but Ayres gathers the ball just inside the boundary line.
What a star he has been.
He finds Morrissey this time.
It's all falling into place for the Hawks.
Morrissey will kick from about 55 metres out.
Dersma's heart no doubt is pumping.
Where will Dunstall go?
Makes his break.
It's ignored by this man.
So Morrissey.
It'll take a good kick from here.
Not a bad looking kick.
Slightly off to the right.
And through it goes Ramayners goal.
Hawthorne increased their lead.
12-15 to 3-8.
The bench.
Pretty content.
Hughes comes in.
Finds Healy in the back pocket.
He elects to run now.
Second bounce.
Well that didn't work.
Brought the ball up towards right half back.
Stretching.
He's eyeing the ball completely.
As big as a minute ago.
He's bearing down on him.
And then they get a minute down.
It proceeds to Sarker and out of bounds.
And the House of Cards is coming down for Melbourne.
Even their good players now are making mistakes.
And of course the Hawthorne players.
Very quick to tell the Melbourne players.
What they've just done.
Here's the throw in.
It's all psychological.
Morrissey bumps it towards the boundary line.
It's out of bounds in front of Kennedy.
He was looking like Rambo.
Then DiPietro Menneco.
If I'd been in the same place I'd hop right out of the way.
Here's the throw in.
Abbott and Steins.
Steins has tried very hard.
DiPietro Menneco goes down.
Greta was late.
Went down on top of DiPietro Menneco.
Meantime away from that.
Flatten and Flintoff.
Fight their own war.
The ball goes out of bounds.
Back we go.
There's the ball.
Back we go.
DiPietro Menneco has found somebody else to play with.
It's Danny Hughes.
Oh.
Well he really is putting on a Rambo performance here today.
Rambunctious.
Rambunctious indeed.
And will we get Rambo one, two, three and four out of DiPietro Menneco.
Here's Tuck trying to take the ball away.
The veteran does it.
Puts it out in front of Hall.
Hall picks up at his boot laces.
Back to Tuck.
Great play by the veteran.
Open forward line.
Dunstall's there but couldn't take the mark.
The whistle's gone.
It's a Melbourne free kick and it'll come back to Dersma.
Well Michael Tuck in his 360th game.
He hasn't just fallen across the line to make 300.
He is going on with the business.
Let's hope he plays again next year.
He's played the third most number of games in VFL football.
Up to line, centre wing.
Can't take the mark.
There's Tuck with the beard in there again.
Helped out by youngster McGuinness.
Into Schwab.
Floodgate starting to open.
Flatten puts it out wide to Mew.
Mew had options.
Went for Morrissey.
Morrissey centres with a long penetrating kick.
Buccaneer chance.
That was a good contest.
Dersma did well to get it out of there.
To Wilson.
And now Melbourne on the rebound.
Love it.
But under pressure all the time.
Had to give the ball away.
All applied attacking illegally.
And it's going to be a free kick to Viney.
Todd Viney.
Deputy vice captain for Melbourne.
To take this kick.
The defensive side of the centre circle.
Taken high and without the ball.
There goes his kick.
Towards half forward.
Williams waiting behind.
Tuck trying to knock it forward.
Lovell.
Gets it over the top to Williams.
Fourth goal coming up.
Williams misses.
Oh gee.
Graze the buzz.
The point side of it.
Yes and the game where goals are obviously important.
That's a couple that David Williams missed.
One in the second quarter.
One now.
The time in that second quarter too was very important.
What was John Northey saying?
How have those posts shifted?
Yes what he's tried to do is stab the ball rather than kick through it.
And of course that.
Just nicked the post.
He only just cleared the man in between him and the goal.
Yes.
12.15 to 3.9.
Langford.
There's the time remaining.
Hit a fair and surely to Wilson in front.
No free kick.
Gathered by Platton.
He hoists it long towards half forward.
Yates going back with courage.
Stretch has got it now behind the pack.
Goes with a left foot towards half forward.
Ayers.
Great mark Ayers.
Superb mark.
He misjudged it initially.
He had to compensate for that.
He was going back into unexplored territory.
There was a collision upcoming and he took the mark.
Remarkable stuff by Gary Ayers who's been superb.
On the outer side Yates is over the ball now.
Almost held without it.
Wilson was carried forward in the tackle.
The advantage will be paid.
Jackson breaks away.
Jackson's kick, drop short.
Bounces off the shins of White who's been really a non-configurer today for Melbourne.
There's Binnie in there paddling the ball on.
Hawthorne putting up the wall.
But it's whipped away by Flintoff.
Another former Hawke.
He gets the hand pass away.
Drop short but Williams will kick the goal this time.
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Football.
Out of the centre.
Let's check the score.
12-15 to 4-9.
Alan Joyce.
Having a bit to say.
Maybe 7-33 though.
Big margin as we said prior to the game.
The sides that have made the grand final from fifth position.
Have invariably been trashed.
Only two have Collingwood and Essendon.
Both lost by an excess of 80 points.
Coming away as Jackson.
Clever football.
Gets it to Spaulding from 50 metres out.
The kick is off target.
And so it goes from a minor score.
Better football though.
4-10 to 12-15.
Shot that one.
Michael Tuck.
Pulled back to the present.
Members side with a kick.
Diffie Dominico couldn't take the mark.
He is again in the congestion.
Works it forward for Hawthorne.
With a run out of bounds.
Berican leading up the charge.
A quarter time Hawthorne led by 17 points.
At half time their margin was 49 points.
Changes being made I think.
Down there on the Melbourne bench.
As Deer decisively wins it down.
Berican slipped over.
Kennedy goes without it.
Stretch goes in.
Kennedy I think will get the free kick.
John Kennedy.
Remarkable that he's even there.
He's played only the last 7 games of the season.
After having an irregular heartbeat.
It was though maybe his career was finished.
Here's a 50 metre penalty for John Kennedy.
Because the ball was thrown back to Diffie Dominico.
It was a long way away from Kennedy.
I think it was pretty harsh really.
I mean it could have easily been.
It's all around the ball.
So it makes his kick for goal almost a gift.
30 metres out.
Close to missing.
But two flags.
Malcolm just a shy innocent harmless guy who's also a genius.
What's he doing out there?
With electronics.
How do you get the money?
And the day he meets Frank and Judith his life changes.
What Rob Banks?
Malcolm puts his genius to work on the big job of the century.
Cops wouldn't know where to start looking.
He never left his bedroom.
Malcolm.
The multi award winning Aussie movie.
Showing for the very first time on television.
Sunday at 8.30.
Here on 7.
Melbourne looking to make some more changes here.
With youngster from Tasmania Stephen Phoebe about to come on the ground.
It's 93 to 34.
Back in the centre with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter.
Steins hasn't given up.
Comes to stretch.
Stretch his kick straight up the centre corridor.
Collins is there.
Tries to shrug a tackle intercepted by Lovell.
Goes to Jackson.
He's inside 50.
Off the left boot.
Won't make it.
Williams.
No mark.
And off his hands and out of bounds for throwing.
As he comes down on his shoulder.
Even gets a pat from Peter Schwab.
His opponent.
It's almost a dive.
Could have been for David Williams.
Had a few chances up forward.
Boundary throw in.
Jackson roving.
Not a bad snap.
Across the face of goal.
Williams there again.
But off Jackson's kick.
It goes through for a behind.
Jackson goalless.
He's their leading goal kicker this year with 43 goals.
Gary Lyon has 39.
Jackson kicked five in the preliminary final last week.
But he hasn't been able to get on the goal scoring board today.
His kicks in.
Members side.
Up in front with Langford.
Fisted away.
It's taken by Lovell who hooks it down towards full forward.
Going back a fine mark is taken by Chris Mew.
Taking the tumble and the ball.
Lays it off to Schwab who elects to run it out.
Well done and too easy.
Still he goes.
Three bounces from Schwab.
Boots it towards the center wing.
The pitchers in front of another veteran out there.
Green who lays it off superbly.
McInnes goes for a gallop.
McInnes goes down towards right half.
Forward Dunstall.
Couldn't hang on.
Opportunity there for Abbott.
Gets it to Kennedy.
Back it comes to support.
Hall.
Dunstall.
They've still got the numbers.
But Melbourne had dogged out there.
Abbott.
Hurried kick towards the kickoff line.
Wilson in there for Melbourne.
Hand passes towards the boundary line.
It's taken by Lovett.
Lovett gets it across to Healy.
Or is it Newport?
It was Healy who hooks it around the outer side.
The mark is taken by Stiles.
Well Melbourne played that pretty well.
They kept pressure on.
Healy backs up yet again.
Kicks towards center wing.
Mews in front of Spalding.
Does he keep it in?
Yes he does.
Well done.
Deer.
This is Platten.
Great acceleration from John Platten.
Long kick.
They'll contest about 40 meters out from goal.
Brereton and Grinter.
It falls behind them.
Hughes is over the ball.
Over the top of him and relishing that.
Here's to him at Brereton.
We're going to have a ball out.
Well the Melbourne defense in.
Heaps of bother with this Hawthorne attack.
Dunstall's kicked four.
Brereton's kicked three goals.
Stiles.
He's one in the ruck actually.
27 hit outs to 23.
And Stiles has also had 13 possessions.
So he's played a top game on his own in the ruck.
After the suspension of O'Dwyer.
And this will be a ball up next to center wing.
So Melbourne.
Dipped out in the preliminary final by two points last year.
With the kick after the siren.
They got one step further this year.
But their grand final thrashing is going to be a lot more than that.
Hall gets it across to Kennedy.
He goes for goal and misses.
And Hawthorne having a few chances.
But spraying them about in this quarter.
In this turn they've added three goals seven.
And they've got a good chance of getting a good start.
Kick in.
Towards the outer side.
But I think it will come back.
Gollampire still waving the flag down there.
Pritchard getting ready to come on.
So Alan Joyce still making the changes.
Looking to fine tune this outfit still more.
Hawthorne 13-16.
Melbourne 4-11.
There's the time remaining.
Morrissey was up in front.
Couldn't take the mark.
Battle after the ball on the ground.
And a bounce down upcoming.
It's Tony Hall.
What a recruit he's been.
From Glenelg in South Australia.
Very prominent in the ground low middle last Monday.
Stein's up in front.
At the top came Abbott that time to win it down.
Flintoff going nowhere.
Healy tackled by Tuck.
Another ball up.
Pepe Dominico is coming off.
And Pritchard is coming on.
Well Pepe Dominico is so unlucky to come off.
He really has been working hard for them.
14 kicks and 5 hand passes.
What's suggested for injury?
Dennis?
Yes, he's in the hands of the trainers now.
You're right Mal.
As White punches Melbourne forward.
And the road was dear.
Bounces off Morrissey and comes to Lovell.
High kick towards half forward.
Schwab battling there with Williams.
Ball into open space.
Opportunity for Pepe.
Held without it surely Pepe.
And he'll get the free kick.
About 25 metres out from goal on a slight angle.
It was bad luck there for Collins.
Collins stumbled.
As he was about to lay the tackle.
As we watch in replay there that Collins really had no alternative then but to hang on.
And hope the umpire missed it.
But even that is very courageous.
That sort of situation into the flailing boots coming back.
Mo's second thought from Collins.
Meantime Pepe in his first season.
Now that was a big kick for Melbourne.
He's missed.
Needed desperately a goal there.
Yes.
Stephen Phoebe 19 years of age in his first season.
Playing just his 12th game of VEA fill football.
And now McGuinness kicks in.
Also in his first season playing his 18th game.
Here's a veteran in his 17th season playing game 360.
Off to another youngster in Pritchard.
And here's the defender Chris Langford right to the forward line.
Beautiful.
Full back to full forward.
And Dunstall takes the mark on 50.
Jason Dunstall has four.
Bit too far out to score.
Centering kick.
Brereton's there.
Morrissey with a leap.
Comes to the back.
Love it for Melbourne.
Paddling.
Waiting for it to come up.
But look at the pressure coming.
Wilson had to volley the ball.
Picked up by Mew.
Another defender working forward.
Sun into their eyes there.
Brereton lost it.
Yates.
Slips.
Pritchard for Hawthorne.
Laid it like an egg.
The hand pass out.
Oh, look at the tackling.
Michael Tuck, the veteran.
The hand pass from Healy to Wilson.
Along the ground.
Didn't make it too easy for Phoebe.
But it was a good gather.
And a hand pass in.
To Flintoff.
To half forward.
Williams there.
Beaten by Schwab.
Hawthorne had three to two.
Schwab had time.
Picked the best option.
But his kick wasn't too good.
Wilson's there.
Fighting with his own foot.
For the ball.
Healy away to center half forward.
And Williams.
Good mark.
David Williams.
Just forwarded center half forward.
Chip pass intended for Johnson.
What a good mark that was.
Just a little nudged.
And a full stretch he took to mark.
But Alan Johnson has been rarely sighted today.
His kick was a goal.
From about.
What.
Thirty five.
Twenty seven.
Twenty eight.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Twenty nine.
Thirty eight.
Twenty nine.
Thirty five.
What?
Thirty five meters out.
Alan Johnson.
Missed to the right hand side.
As the mark.
In the field of play.
Lion planning at was the Gala umpire.
Having the last.
Alan Johnson annoyed with himself there.
The frustration showing.
Thirteen sixteen the Hawks the demons for thirteen.
members side right good strong mark white Johnson those sort of players
need to fire up now for Melbourne Healy that was whites first mark of the
afternoon and a strong mark is taken down there by Lyon from Melbourne he's
only about 10 meters out Dennis the two productive forwards really from last
week's game against Carlton both white and my line figuring in this play it's
really what needed to be happening all day well Gary Lyon kicking at the fifth
goal for the demons hasn't seen much of the ball this afternoon as those figures
indicate must get a goal here just under two minutes remaining in this third
quarter Lyon's kick is true hey before you turn that key did you know
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one and a half minutes left in the third quarter Melbourne needed a lot more from
their forays forward in this turn Morris he gets the hand pass back to
flattened hair flows behind him but he gets the kick away to send a half board
Abbott good mark great discipline played in by Hawthorne John Platten hooked the
ball back on the goal to goal line they just do it so well they use the middle
corridor for most of the game Abbott going for his third that's one in each
quarter
so once again Melbourne hit back with a goal in Hawthorne come back each time
they've kicked goals we've only kicked five Hawthorne have hit back very hard
immediately
a lot of court it's due to Paul Abbott a big man whose skills at ground level
belies height he's had seven kicks four hand passes today three marks as well
and three goals Robert to be a Domenico off the ground Bernie Quinlan through
nothing too serious he's had a knock on the calf the medical staff had it have
attended to it but he should be right to come back on if necessary
19 possessions for Robert to be a Domenico his head butted on the calf
I think so what was his calf doing here ahead of that going on just before he
came off
so we're back in the middle 14 16 to 5 13
balls this afternoon
much happening in there well plenty happening but the ball's not going very
fast dines inadvertently hit dear on the nose
they're quick to point that out the ball up then Steins and the Flint off
scrambles it forward it's taken by a stretch he breaks away long kick towards
full forward the new ball glistening in the Sun
line tries to push it through from the ground will scrambled across the goal
line with 27 seconds remaining in this third quarter
Melbourne advanced to 514 trailing Hawthorne 14 16 kick in towards the outer
side players contending with his son out there Hall made it look easy the
Pritchard is it right half back side steps white long kick through center
and best position fisted away aggressively by Grinter well done by
the knocked it forward taken by Hall back to the at the big fellow nimbly
through the center goes down towards the pocket back goes out and there's the
siren great quarter time in the grand final of the MCG and Hawthorne lead
their big leaders 14 16 to 514
need to organize a conference room or seminar
put it on diners when the fabulous for began to sing
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the both sides missing easy goals in the third quarter Hawthorne added four seven
could have been a lot more but the same token Melbourne added three six and
likewise could have been a lot more Dunston has four for Hawthorne
Brereton three and Abbott three and from Elvin Lyon has two goals and Williams
also has two goals today's game is part of the Maya 1988 VFL Premiership series
well the football season may just about be over but seven will continue to
bring you a fantastic lineup of great sports events over the next few months
Sunday October 2 the big one the two is 1000 live from Baptist Thursday October
the 13th Australia's Lester Ellis defends his Commonwealth Junior welterweight
title against Scotland's Bobby Harkin and November the 18th 320 live from the
magnificent Barrage Resort Port Douglas the world's top golfers do battle in the
inaugural Australia versus United Kingdom golf test you can see it all on
the seven network the Australian television network the sports network of
course three-quarter time the difference 56 points in favor of Hawthorne as we go
back to our central commentary position and drew more thank you Peter and Malcolm
Blightful and the Brownlow medalist has some graphics here to prove what's going
on history what Hawthorne do actually they're very good at it with Hawthorne
going that way this quarter across their half back line they are very good at
wheeling the ball back into the middle of the ground like that and then on
their half forward line if the ball ends up in that position or that position
they are also very good at getting the ball back on the goal to goal line and
coming back through the middle they really have stretched Melbourne out by
coming back through the middle of the ground all the time and we'll be back at
the MCG after a short break
seven nightly news it's a better kind of news service reporting on what really
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you seven nightly news changing the face of news
last quarter underway for about 40 seconds tuck getting a short pass up the
ground and green marks at right half forward for the hopes 100 plays 44
Hawthorne well in command Brereton in front good mark
Dermot Brereton who once kicked eight goals in a losing grand final team he'd
be happy with four in a winning grand final team no doubt about that
Hawthorne who played in the last six in a row looking to square the ledger here
today three wins three losses reads a lot better than two four Brereton's kick
comes back and goes right through
skills just marvelous skills we saw him kick that check side one in the second
quarter and then that fantastic goal there where most players have had
trouble and printed did a fair job in that third quarter on him but just get
away and he's capable of kicking goals and when the two key forwards have now
got eight goals between them it's a very big contribution for the Hawthorne side
superb kick that last one from Brereton touched it centimeter perfect out of the
middle Steins towards half forward opportunity for is nonchalant smothered
off the boot by Hughes who's having a run on the ball
mrs. Johnson good vision a couple of Melbourne players free whites got it
from 50 meters a rather indecisive kick he sends it down it was the pocket line
and deep and deep trouble and will be penalized for holding the ball
Lawrence now playing full 40 he went there in the third quarter but length
it's actually gone back on to win now did it with the arch of the back the
degree of difficulty very high 10 as it turned out McGinnis takes the mark in
front of half back for Hawthorne Guinness plays on centering kick as
Malcolm was pointing out trying to get the ball back into the middle love it
behind fellow of a bad luck Morrissey
it's a very simple game of football isn't it they do try and get the ball
back in the middle all the time and if your players are working then they know
that's going to happen they've played a lot of football together just works
wonderfully well well anyone benefit from this genius next season that is the
question as Beratan goes Goldwood and this is to the right hand side minus
go for 1517 Melbourne 514
what a shame Beratan kicked a goal from near the boundary line and missed from
right in front
yes but there is a rule in football that while you're kicking points the
opposition aren't and you've always got a chance to get the next one
the Dersma kicks in still on Hawthorne's forward line Beratan's in front of the pack
Young Park doesn't pay the mark, deer thumbs up the ground or it's intercepted
Beratan falls over Healy after he got rid of it white low kick towards centre wing
Schwab he's done that many times today just jumping on the ball but that time
it was socket away out of his hands picked up by Hall delayed the hand pass
here goes Ayers to spoil Williams
Lovell Paul Hawthorne here and Tony Hall is a superb mark overhead even when it
was raining today he was taking marks his Pritchard unmarked in the centre
corridor as Malcolm Gleit advocated back to Collins back to Pritchard
keepings off bang straight up the centre
that's Hawthorne's free kick
and it's coming to John Kennedy it wasn't quite sure it was his he goes for
a bounce and goes back to take his free kick man on the mark about 40 meters out
John Kennedy who kicked three goals last year in the grand final
go through second today is that in the field of play yes it is right on the
behind line the mark taken by Abbott and he'll be just about in the 14th row of
the bleachers to get back online to kick this excellent marks sporting now
playing on Abbott the taller man has any created some problems up forward a
terrific foil for Johnson now this ball nearly jam between the goal pace now
that's a 50-meter penalty because the man's over the mark only about two
meters out from goal brings him right to the edge of the golf course surely if
there's a bit was Grintzer being in place but surely if that's a 50-meter
penalty he should screw him up to the goals he did he did warn Grinther once
1617 to 514 2027 counting down in front of your eyes they can't down to another
Hawthorne Premiership their seventh itched in the center circle one down by
dear that time towards half-forward Melbourne getting back is new kicks it
in the wrong direction opportunity deep in defense for Langford
here of contempt now from Hawthorne as Hall comes away and finds McGuinness at
halfback McGuinness what an introduction play on this side
he's held his head high too as he boots towards half-forward Berrick and gave a
contest and Melbourne swung around by Morrissey towards half forward the
strong mark is taken diving mark by Yates Yates at halfback and a quiet
player it's around Pritchard this time since play back towards Melbourne's
half-forward line big pack into the air tuck a timely fist Morrissey he's on
center wing pursued by three Melbourne players as a result Hawthorne have gotten
in free-forward this is Buccaneer from Kennedy's hand pass the kick not a good
one as he brought it back and Grinther takes the timely defensive mark
Grinther towards the members wing Steins is here we had a bit of a look behind
and Andy Lovell was able to take the mark in front good indication there
no one went wide Hawthorne go down the middle most times to be about three more
kicks by going around the boundary line and straight up the middle and the more
you handle the ball more chance you've got of losing it
Schwalbe to fister comes to the front to Johnson has been swung forward
Stein's almost a good mark play on says the umpire Phoebe's there goes to
Wilson he gets free back to Johnson and Johnson goals
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margin beer sweeping hand pass out wide Collins plenty of space it's around
Hughes he started the game very well that Andrew Collins over the top to
Pritchard back to the big fella goes for a run little chip passed out it was the
pocket Robert he's been a grand defender all season long for Melbourne
it's not a too hard this afternoon as he boots back to center wing and Phoebe
takes the mark a little shorter center way Phoebe stays with the boundary high
kick towards half forward Wilson in from the side couldn't take the mark
cut does brilliantly feeds out the hand pass quickly and Pritchard got it to a
voice flatten they work it so well Schwab was the last man in the chain now
at half forward Kennedy back to Schwab has run on in the tackle he scrambles
the kick forward or for have got the numbers out towards the boundary this is
Buccanara he settles long kick down awards for forward Dunstall from behind
off hands and fruit for a minor school so the double threat Dunstall has four
and Berrick has four he has Greta just over 17 minutes remaining Johnson he
too is that a fine season for Melbourne three Melbourne players run on center
wing surely something good will come of this Wilson gives it to stretch he runs
down awards half forward long kick towards full forward line going back
almost got a free off hands and fruit for a minor score and lion is having a
bit to say to the young part experience then from lengthen actually just tapped
his arms and made it difficult to mark well Melbourne had players free on this
side of the ground which leaves Hawthorne players free on the far side
Buccanara to flatten and the Hawks have it back at center wing having conceded
only a point that's pretty smart Buccanara double pass and kicks to
center half forward Yates in the way
the margin at the moment 63 points and Hawthorne with over 16 minutes to build
on it and it could yet get over 80 which has been the story for every team which
has come through the elimination final news there in defense for the Hawks
Brereton mark is paid advantage trying to be tape tried to be taken by Morrissey
but not off a mark it's good on us jump at the football again by bird and really
has a lovely pair of hands lovely pair of boots
Brereton for number five
oh he'll go for number five
what a valuable player yeah
John Kennedy did real much of the hard work and his teammates they thank you
Paul Abbott right through the middle it was just that time of the year we were a
bit stretched financially we were thinking of getting by on less house
insurance cover I remember turning the corner coming home from school and there
were fire engines in the street and smoke and the kids were very excited
somebody's house is on fire it was our house we were fully covered thank
heavens and so rebuilt the house and I think of what could have happened to us
just like in 1982 we have a streaker on the ground a lady
the boys in the center managed to smile
well at least this time the game was well won when she came on because when
she came on in 82 not the same one I don't think it really stopped Carlton who were on
a roll and they well and really threw her off oddly the players just had a
call from Don Scott he assures us it wasn't the same street so we're back in
the middle white taken high and he'll get the free kick
Sean white from half back the other in up laws the kick goes down towards half
forward good luck to them and I must achieve this afternoon talk to hurry
kick the bucket are flattened over the top brilliantly played this is Abbott
five goals to his credit now he's in midfield getting kicks love it and real
trouble bounces off one defender get that wall across Morris he got the ball
to Dunstall it pulls it back in a great mark is taken by Berrick I just think
that depicts the discipline showing in the Hawthorne side Dunstall fantastic
kick back to the front of the goal square and Dermot Burden with his eyes
only for the football a great mark under pressure some distractions at the moment
four goals to Barrett and he's not distracted or was he just kicked him
behind so Berrton remains on four goals just
over 14 minutes remaining in this game and Hawthorne as you can see the great
Lee dear will sit down if you're Dominico comes back onto the ground
Greg dear not one of the high-profile Ruckman in the competition but through
this final round he really has earned his spurs
if you're Dominico is out there on sporting Berrton was kicking that
behind hardly anybody saw it they're watching another behind
Jamie Dersma the kick in for Melbourne straight up the centre and that has gone
near the centre circle about an 80 meter kick or Kennedy to the mark but not paid
comes off the Hughes has switched a few changes Melbourne line can't quite take
the mark Langford giving him nothing
great defense by the Hawks somehow Empire Cameron's plucked out a free kick
taken by McGuinness almost kicked it backwards to Collins in the back pocket
Buccaneers free on center wing if he can find him that far away that's the way
the kicks going the gaps closed by level comes off the Newport hurried kick by
him Phoebe in the forward pocket look at the smother
if one of them doesn't get you two of them will Schwab was there and tuck to
help out and that'll be a ball up and it's about 25 meters from goal Greg dear
on the bench and with the unfortunate Chris Whitman who was injured early in
the match
chance for Melbourne Johnson who kicked a goal in this quarter
news back there picked up by Flint off outside of his boot back there is
Collins didn't go 10 meters he had to play on quickly and kick for the boundary
line and found touch on the bounce for throwing just under 13 minutes now
counting down to another Hawthorne Premiership as John Northie nothing he
can do this game is over and unfortunately it developed into the
mismatch many people thought it could flatten on his knees but Melbourne had
a great season you can't take away from them close to the boundary line McGuinness
with confidence hand passes back intended for Mew he's in trouble through
the legs of Williams he is working over the ball well played clearing kick
towards center wing good mark is taken by stretch going back with the flight of
the ball stretch best in Ferris for Melbourne last season forward of center
wing centering kick big pack into the air bearing down on the ball they all
stopped a new sword over the top to take a great mark gives it to Collins he
comes members side dip yet a minute guy takes the mark
and for on my fancy across the nose
Robert deep yet a minute guy the paraphrase all of that he hit me there's
Langford the defensive side of center wing towards half-point he's strong
Paul taking a very good mark the Pritchard Pritchard goes looking for
Dunstall and Dunstall on a lead about 40 minutes out from goal a chance to bring
up his fifth a great kick in and don't they look for him very well and he does
lead world to stunts to and he'll go close from here we're testing kick needs
to start at right
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11 minutes left in the match and Hawthorne 127 Melbourne 51 tapped out of
the center of Melbourne go forward Langford helps it back for the Hawks
Lovell the youngster drives it long Oh Williams backs into it and takes an
excellent David Williams had three or four chances in the third quarter
pretty good mark in the inning it was always an uncomfortable ball wasn't it
to go back kick two goals three
just about directly in front 40 meters out and he sprayed that to the right
well it's a poor result for getting the ball so well he's taken six marks and
had nine kicks on the forward line for just two goals
man standing him up at the moment Gary Ayers number seven who's been absolutely
superb Gary Ayers playing in his sixth successive grand final
dip yet amenico is playing in his seventh successive Michael tuck in his
ninth Dermot Bruritton is playing six grand
finals and he's only been playing league football for seven years so it's great
when you go to a top club here's Stein's Collins gets back there and takes a good
mark stopping it going through for a goal Collins it's been solid all day
towards the outer he is coming over the top Platinum deep trouble Johnson goes
down taking low according to the umpire he'll get the free kick so the margin is
75 points we talked about sides coming from fifth to a grand final something
of a minute a triangle for them Melbourne at least trying to get the
margin down yes Alan Johnson deliberate shot slides it across the face and
through it goes from minus school so demons I'm not kicking straight and all
stings gone out of this game stuck at it but they've been out class this
afternoon he is in short swab takes the mark plays on hugging the boundary this
time for almost the market calls to platinum acceleration again from
standing still top pace and about five strides this is Yates from the kick
beats level in the other side wing the centering kick too much carry that was
bad luck the head of line length for charging through kicks towards half
forward love it's in the road great example of chasing to their by
both and they lead the game by a long way but I think they're aiming for a
margin somewhere in the eighties is Yates center wing centering kick you at
the back and Abbott at the back paddles for a teammate any amount of them there
Schwab but lions their ball jolted free tuck gets line good tackle umpire said
ball held in give it to me I'll ball it up
Todd viney there
as the clock ticks down under nine minutes left in the 88 grand final Abbott
wins Melbourne players there comes out from Flint off to level kick very wide
oh is remarkable mark that one is members side with a kick pinpoints it
Langford takes the mark Collins dashing up from the back pocket spears a past
is Santa wing and green Pritchard outside him he goes down towards half
forward not a good kick it was intended for Dunstall that was ambitious he was
surrounded by Melbourne players one of whom love it took the mark and now 50
meters against Dickey at the minute go for putting on a show just about ran 50
to give away 50 to puff his chest at the man who took the mark
chest puffing has cost him 50 or 70 big breath
love it goes long down awards full forward big pack through the hands of
the man in front Phoebe leading back is platen he can't track it in time as
Wilson picks himself up rather roofily didn't he look didn't he look as though
he played four finals in a row yes key player for them hasn't been all that
prominent today a lot of possessions but generally has been under pressure from
the boundary throw in is follows the ball across the line there he is perhaps
the star of the grand final there have been many but you'll go close to the
Norm Smith medal 18 19 to 618 so the student judges making their decision on
that today one of her is our own Malcolm Blake not that we've got any inside
information of course as the ball goes towards the other side Bucconara the
Pritchard he goes over the top Kennedy superbly done Paul look at this
Bucconara goes looking for Dunstall and finds him well spare a thought for the
defender Jamie Dursma no chance in the world they were storming down it was a
sea of gold and brown in midfield a line of them and Dunstall slipped his marker
Jason Dunstall from about 45 meters out acute angle slides it across the face
Berenton has it fisted away by Grinter
change about to be made by Melbourne Alan Johnson coming off and Ricky Jackson
re-entering the fray six and a half minutes left in the 88 grand final
Steins goes for the boundary line and he's done a great job in the ruck but
I'm sure he would have appreciated some assistance from Steve O'Dwyer last
Monday night was suspended for three weeks which cost him the grand final
stretch goes to love it look at the tacklers of Hawthorne they're everywhere
Morrissey Plattons there as well Platton pulled off the ball when he didn't have
it he'll get the free kick on the 50-meter line
he's been a remarkable player I mean remember mentioning back in the first
quarter about the 16-minute mark I think he got his first kick but they really
a lot of touches since then brilliant game 24 possessions for John
Platton
the fact that so many of them were here last year when they were beaten by Carlton
will be a great spurt and the goal square brought yes sensational mark by
Dermot Brereton so could he kick his fifth he's threatened with two easier
shots which will make three five three fives of 15 goals out of there perhaps
19 wasn't that an excellent market great long kick from John Platton the pool
being a torpedo just dies a little bit at the end
very in front that's five to him
Mike Harlem didn't turn his science project in he turned it loose the
danger is that once you unleash the power you'd lose control
first energy field will go crazy it's just like when you told us we could
smoke banana peel chain reaction could start are you pulling my zucchini weather
could change my science project premieres Wednesday on 7 just over five
minutes remaining in the 1988 VFL Grand Final
Hawthorne the next their seventh Premiership
massive margin now out of the center Langford towards half forward with a kick
Brereton has got five and from the side couldn't hang on that time Kennedy was
taken high and gave himself a free kick Kennedy out wide into a nest of
teammates one of whom is Hall but a deflection gets it to be at a minute
go to green superb run have a shot green is the call from teammates he misses
through it goes from minus score I guess it's a good time now with that score
1922 618 to talk about Alan Joyce played with Hawthorne in the early 60s
coach Preston and went to East from Antle because Newtown and New South Wales
New South Wales stateside tucks got it trying to increase their lead Bucconara
and deep trouble this is Morrissey short passes on green never mark he plays on
quickly from 40 meters he's off target Dunstall
courageous mark
three kick the business Dersma goes in short taken by a new port who scrambles it towards the
boundary it's out of bounds I was talking about Alan Joyce coached again
the WAFL East from Antle the second time and Perth this time last year he was
director of football at Hawthorne of course misfortune struck Alan
Jeans Alan Joyce took over as coach took over from a legend he's done it his way
this afternoon congratulations to him the Hawks going for a record here Abbott
on the run can he kick his six he can and that is a record margin in the grand
final
what can you say about Paul Abbott six goals three in this last quarter he's
having a run on the ball great play green screen prominent light
and Paul Abbott six goals
what's a margin is 86 points the biggest thumping in a grand final previously was
83 points in 1983 and might round it off and make it 88 in this bicentennial year
perhaps although they'd have to kick behinds to do that they look like
kicking more goals here's Bucconara popping it up for Dunstall easy
there's that little chip again giving Dunstall some room and really where it's
been Hawthorne's day you can't but admire Melbourne in getting here they
learnt from last year's preliminary final they've got a young lot of young
players still let's just hope they learn from this grand final Jason Dunstall for
number six there it is
a world of beauty mystery and wonder the world around us returns with a premier
special film throughout the Victorian Central Highlands where the volcanoes
roared prehistoric history the Dreamtime which Rangers gold seekers early pioneers
and the infamous hanging rock 630 tonight the world around us on seven
I would suggest it's been shut it should have been shut on the other board the
other box slam tight on this game but I'm sure Alan Joyce would be walking on
air as he goes down to the boundary congratulated by the support staffers
Langford knocks it down to Greta back in midfield
Rodney Greta goes for a dash inside he goes long towards goal and hits the post
halfway up there he is a smile of acknowledgement to Rod Greta there almost
showing some compassion but there's not a lot of compassion built into this
Hawthorne side when they play footy finish what towards the other side wing
with the kick why and trying to fist away from Melbourne Platten off the
ground still playing the percentages Pritchard two on the overlap one of him
is tough he carries the ball towards center wing Hughes knocking it away from
Berican so we're down to 159 and the grand final there he is Alan Joyce the
pressure is off I'll detect a bit of a smile the first time this year not
joysing down the amazing thing is he looks like finishing up being football
manager again next year one season as a VFL coach one
premiership back you go probably smile more here's a bit 91 points is the
margin a minute and a half left two goals to make it a century Collins up to
half forward Brereton they're working it quickly it's not beyond the realms of
possibility Brereton goes short and inside 50
Pritchard pops it for a beautiful play and Jason Dunstall on the point of the
goal square they've had 95 more positions than Melbourne
that tells a story as we watch this in replay great team play going by
Hawthorne Dunstall now going for number seven
he's got it three in this last quarter Abbott's kick three in this last quarter
Brereton two in the last turn
at 49 seconds and if they can whip it out of the middle and get another one
quickly they'll win the grand final by a century why do you wish that on
Melbourne I don't wish it and in fact it only occurred to me about five minutes
ago but it's just been an avalanche I hope it doesn't happen
so this game and it's death rose the celebrations about to start well in fact
in some areas they've started they've known for some time they were going to
win their seventh Premiership out of the middle Melbourne defiantly Green goes
down Langford back towards the center we're down to 39 seconds stretch takes
the mark stretch goes out wide with a kick mark is taken out there by Stein's
Jim Stein's possibly in fact I'm sure Melbourne's best player to lion
22 20 to 619 is Gary Lyon forward of center wing gets the spiral to go for
him long down it was the kickoff line off hands opportunity for Melbourne
taken by Wilson scrambles it through for a minor school without his seven seconds
that will be the last action of the grand final Hawthorne have won this
Premiership wait for the siren now wait for the reactions around this ground
Chris new has the ball we're out of time in the grand final
oh
Hawthorne their seventh Premiership in emphatic style this afternoon John
Norvey there'll never be a doubt about what happened this afternoon in his mind
last year the uncertainty after the preliminary final must have haunted him
but this afternoon they were crushed absolutely crashed by one of the best
football teams we've seen in this land for a long time three losses on the
season and in the VFL competition that stands for much yes during the year you
win 19 games you win the second semi-final you win the grand final by 96
points it can't be a more emphatic Premiership than that
Melbourne players absolutely shattered not a lot different to Collingwood in 1980
and Essendon in 83 who came through from the elimination final to get walloped in
the grand final I suppose we say this at this time every year there's Dwyer
Steve-O Dwyer who was suspended early in the week commiserating with Jim Steins
but much was made of that suspension again and what we saw today it would
have stood for naught we say this at this time every year about the team that
has won the grand final perhaps it's the beginning of a dynasty perhaps they're
going to go on and crush opposition sides over next season in the season after
that as Alan Joyce with Dermot Greer has been in the team for the last two years
that's too much to say but suffice to say they've been the best side in the
land without question this season John Norvey well he was powerless from early
in this game Hawthorne got their act together they led by 17 points at quarter
time by 49 points at halftime it was out to 56 at three quarter time and finally
22 20 to 620 tells the story we'll be back right after this break
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Malcolm just a shy innocent harmless guy who's also a genius doing out there with
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characters of Rafferty the magistrate flicker the cop and Lisa Blake the young
lawyer come alive Rafferty's rules a great way to spend Thursday night on
seven and welcome back to the Melbourne cricket ground suffer demons there is a
Hawks reporter prepared to rub it right in and Greg Healy the beaten captain of
Melbourne and the players staying out on the ground many coaches say you should
really stay out here and soak this in feel the disgrace that a big defeat
brings so that it'll gee you up again for next year but how much ground do
they have to make up 96 point margin 2220 to six goals 20 down on the ground
Bernie Quinlan with Michael Tuck congratulations how many that you played
in
when you get better all the time
yeah
when in the end you will cut in that first half I think the second course
in the rain getting all those goals we knew we had them but we just had a good
guy gonna everything fell out line the last quarter I shouldn't stop you from
singing the club song talking I guess thank you great to see you you're gonna keep going next year I'm not sure you know just have to see what the club does well I'll enjoy it tonight and see what happens
you're getting a bit close to my number of games Tuckie it might be time to give it away
I might be too man, we'll see what happens anyway great to see you've been a fantastic player and great side Hawkins
it was a good team to captain, very good team yeah great excitement Joyce you did a good job with the boys he did yes
might have been a god sent you just don't know yeah well well done again and enjoy
the evening I suppose you will have told that good on you Michael thanks for that
well that's an interesting interview between the man second on the games
list Bernie Quinlan and Michael Tuck third on the games list and if he plays
next year he'll go into number two interesting true that after the feat
last year by Hawthorne when they've come up six years in a row shows tremendous
character and I think that if you hear anyone that knows anything about football
they talk about the character of young men playing sport and I think Hawthorne
typify that as I said late in the game I think that Melbourne sitting there
as the vanquished today really should learn this learn to take it with them
until next year and now the chairman of the VFL Commission Ross Oakley Mr. Bruce Andrew
just 19 at the year at the age of 19 Bruce Andrew some 60 years ago on this
day played in a winning Collingwood Premiership team on this ground he's
been he's been a great worker for the Victorian Football League over the years
and it's a great honour that I present Bruce to you to present the Norm Smith
Medal the Norm Smith Medal has been won by a unanimous vote to mr. Gary is
everybody I congratulate you on this honor the Norm Smith Medal is a
very prestigious honor and a well well and worthy recipient it's my pleasure to
present the Norm Smith Medal to Gary
ladies and gentlemen we've seen a really great team play here today and a
wonderful win to the Hawthorne Football Club we should though recognize the
magnificent achievement of the Melbourne Football Club to get through to the
grand final from fifth place
we have another former champion here today in the person of Robert Flower to
present the Premiership Cup and the medallions to the winning team Robert
Flower of course has played 299 games at the Melbourne Club being captain of his
club and captain of this state and a great champion in his time Robert Flower
now ladies and gentlemen we would ask the Hawthorne players to come forward
and accept their 1988 BFL Meyer Premiership medallions first of all
number two Chris Mu
number six Tony Hall
number seven Gary
and number nine the Big Dipper Robert DiPierre America
number 10 Chris Whitman
number 11 Gary Bacchanara
number 14 Greg Dear
number 18 Darren Pritchard
number 19 Jason Dunstall
number 20 Scott McGuinness
and number 23 Dermot Brayerton
number 24 Chris Langford
and number 29 Russell Green
number 30 coming all the way Peter Swapp
34 and what a wonderful comeback John Kennedy
35 James Morrissey
number 39 Paul Abbott
number 40 Andrew Collins
the little champ himself 44 John Platten
and of course the coach of Hawthorne, Alan Joyce
now ladies and gentlemen boys and girls the captain of Hawthorne the evergreen
number 17 Michael Tuck
the Laker
There's a moment you've been waiting for.
What a winner now ladies and gentlemen.
I'm sure that you'll welcome the Hawthorne players.
I don't know if the coach will do the lap of honor.
But we would ask the Hawthorne players now.
While we're getting drowned out here.
Here are the boys on their lap of honor.
Let's hear it for them.
1988 Premiers.
The VFL Maya Grand Final.
Hawthorne.
So the Hawthorne players doing their lap of honor now.
With the 1988 Premiership Cup.
The Bicentennial Premiership Cup.
Won by Hawthorne.
And so Alan Joyce.
We go down in the record books.
Having coached the side for one year.
And we presume next year back as their football manager.
Greg Deer with the cup in his hand.
And the players now as I said doing their lap of honor.
As the Melbourne players make their way from the MCG.
Obviously very disappointed.
Hawthorne of course was in that same position last year.
I suppose we must look at it.
How hard it is to come from fifth spot.
To come up from fifth spots.
And win a flag.
Three teams have tried it.
None so far has succeeded.
The nearest one has got is 83 points.
Drew Dennison.
Not mentioned it before.
That Hawthorne had lost only three matches during the course of the year.
They were certainly the place setters for most of 1988.
And on that one would have to say.
They totally deserved their victory here this afternoon.
Certainly full credit to Melbourne.
To do what they did.
They nearly brought off the impossible.
But on the day they found coming from that fifth spot.
Very very hard indeed.
Hawthorne really hardly had a weak link.
I guess the only player that possibly would be disappointed.
And I don't really think that's the word as Chris Whitman.
He was forced from the field in the first quarter.
In very similar circumstances to Gary Bucconara.
Against Essendon in 1983.
And he really didn't take too much part in the game.
However he was there at the finish to collect his medal.
Which is something that Gary Bucconara couldn't do in 1983.
And there's John Kennedy.
What a proud moment it must be for him.
He's been here more than half the season.
With a heart complaint.
He came back, played a number of games in the reserves.
And finally won his way back into the seniors.
To play again at a Premiership side.
Not sure what that was that Michael Cuck had.
It looked like a loaf of bread.
In fact it is.
And I dare say the combination of bread.
Be it fresh or otherwise.
And campaign.
It's lovely what you have done.
And I'm very, very proud of you.