There have been a few times...

[bulldogtragic]

I have thought, 'jeez. We're a decent shot at winning this premiership this year'.

What years or era's do you look back at and wonder why?

Being a younger guy, 1997 was my main one. Grant, Smith, West, Libba, Johno and so on. So much blody talent.

I sort of look at last year against Geelong the same way. We should have one, but didn't.

Would love to hear way beyong 90's. And WHY

[GVGjr]

Re: There have been a few times...

1985 without doubt was a great chance wasted. We had performed well against Essendon that year and I was very confident that if we beat Hawthorn in the preliminary final, and we nearly did, we would have beaten the Bombers in the GF.

We had a strong and experienced side with match winners in every line and I'm sure if we had won that game, the 1989 debacle would never have occurred.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: There have been a few times...

1985 without doubt was a great chance wasted. We had performed well against Essendon that year and I was very confident that if we beat Hawthorn in the preliminary final, and we nearly did, we would have beaten the Bombers in the GF.

We had a strong and experienced side with match winners in every line and I'm sure if we had won that game, the 1989 debacle would never have occurred.

Yup, agree. I don't think I have enjoyed a season as much as I did in '85.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: There have been a few times...

Yup, agree. I don't think I have enjoyed a season as much as I did in '85.

Being only a toddler, and my memory a little hazey, what happened?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: There have been a few times...

Being only a toddler, and my memory a little hazey, what happened?

Leigh Matthews and Gary Buckenara.

[GVGjr]

Re: There have been a few times...

Being only a toddler, and my memory a little hazey, what happened?

Hardie had done very well on Matthews and even had him benched a couple of times but Matthews being the champion bounced back in a big way and swung the game back and put the Hawks in front.

Have a look on the Doug Hawkings Wing because Alwaysadog has a write up on it.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: There have been a few times...

Being only a toddler, and my memory a little hazey, what happened?

We improved from 83 to 84, but I didn't see the improvement that was 1985 coming.

We played wonderful football & had matchwinners aplenty.

It all started with a win over Carlton at Princes Park in round 1. It was a hot day & this little red head with long sleeves kept getting the ball & sending it forward. I think Pieman kicked 8 that day.

We played Essendon, the all conquering Essendon in about round 5 at the Whitten Oval. It was tense until we broke the game open in the 3rd term. Glen Hawker got pinged for running too far & that opened the floodgates. Chocco burst from the centre & bombed a long left foot goal through towards the Geelong Road end goals. A 7 goal win.

A tense struggle against North at Waverly mid season resulted in a 2 point win. I recall Zeno playing on Phil Krakouer in the last quarter & he did really well.

The first win I could remember at Geelong. It was a high scoring affair & we won by 4 goals.

We then thrashed Melbourne at home by 20 goals the following week. Beaser kicked a dozen that day.

In the last round we lost a close one to the Saints at Moorabbin. I think that their coach Daryl Baldock suffered a stroke & Alan Davis coached them. they got up for the Doc.

In the first final we were overawed by Hawthorn (sound familiar?) & were trounced by 93 points.

The following week we beat North & Beaser brought up the ton. Hawk hit Jock with the best pass I have ever seen. Unfortunately we lost Mark Kellett & Michael Ford during the match & they missed the Prelim the following week.

I still don't know how we lost that game. We had Hawthorn's measure & as GVGjr says, would have beaten Essendon the following week. Bloody Leigh Matthews! It was a long trek home from Waverley that night.

We only lost 6 games during the season & each week you went to the game expecting to win.

Some of the better players that season:

1 - Andrew Purser - Wasn't real tall, but gave 100% all the time. A great ruckman.
2 - Jim Sewell - Handy at either end of the ground.
4 - Brad Hardie - Won the Brownlow in his first season. Was brilliant that season.
7 - Doug Hawkins - Won the B&F in a stellar season. Lifted a cog in the finals.
8 - Rick Kennedy - Tough as nails & relished the physical stuff.
9 - Les bamblett - Lally was a freak. His speed at the drop of a ball was like the seagulls as Flinders Street Station after a chip. Played against Essendon a few days after having his appendix removed. Kicked 51 goals that season.
11 - Allen Daniels - Shorty didn't like the rough stuff but just knew how to get it & send it forward.
18 - Simon Beasley - Gee he led, marked & kicked well in 1985. He wasn't liked by opposition supporters, but we loved him. Kicked many big bags too.
20 - Jim Edmond - How good were Jock's hands? He ran full tilt into the ball & everything was one grab. 38 goals.
21 - Tony Buhagiar - Budgie was only with us for the one season, but was a perfect foil for Chocco. 36 goals.
24 - Steve Wallis - Wally was superb, just the perfect link between defence & attack.
27 - Stephen MacPherson - Super was terrific, just poise & could go hard when needed & didn't mind doing that either. Kicked nearly 40 goals too.
29 - Neil Cordy - Levi's was steady down back, nothing special, but more than handy.
33 - Brian Royal - This was the period where Chocco dominated. he was brilliant, just seemed to know how to get the ball & a great finisher. Kicked 37 goals.
45 - Michael Ford - Another dasher from defence who was a thumping kick.
49 - Brian Cordy - Toby was fantastic down back, just so dependable week in week out.
51 - Michael McLean - Magic was the junior of the team with silky skills, just loped across the turf.

Great times back then.

[mighty_west]

Re: There have been a few times...

85 & 97, we would have beaten the Bombers & Saints!

Dougie & Choco Royal were on fire the week before against North.

[mighty_west]

Re: There have been a few times...

The following week we beat North & Beaser brought up the ton. Hawk hit Jock with the best pass I have ever seen. Unfortunately we lost Mark Kellett & Michael Ford during the match & they missed the Prelim the following week.

.

That hit on Ford was one of the worst you'd ever see, he looked dead! I still cringe watching it back on dvd.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: There have been a few times...

We improved from 83 to 84, but I didn't see the improvement that was 1985 coming.

We played wonderful football & had matchwinners aplenty.

It all started with a win over Carlton at Princes Park in round 1. It was a hot day & this little red head with long sleeves kept getting the ball & sending it forward. I think Pieman kicked 8 that day.

We played Essendon, the all conquering Essendon in about round 5 at the Whitten Oval. It was tense until we broke the game open in the 3rd term. Glen Hawker got pinged for running too far & that opened the floodgates. Chocco burst from the centre & bombed a long left foot goal through towards the Geelong Road end goals. A 7 goal win.

A tense struggle against North at Waverly mid season resulted in a 2 point win. I recall Zeno playing on Phil Krakouer in the last quarter & he did really well.

The first win I could remember at Geelong. It was a high scoring affair & we won by 4 goals.

We then thrashed Melbourne at home by 20 goals the following week. Beaser kicked a dozen that day.

In the last round we lost a close one to the Saints at Moorabbin. I think that their coach Daryl Baldock suffered a stroke & Alan Davis coached them. they got up for the Doc.

In the first final we were overawed by Hawthorn (sound familiar?) & were trounced by 93 points.

The following week we beat North & Beaser brought up the ton. Hawk hit Jock with the best pass I have ever seen. Unfortunately we lost Mark Kellett & Michael Ford during the match & they missed the Prelim the following week.

I still don't know how we lost that game. We had Hawthorn's measure & as GVGjr says, would have beaten Essendon the following week. Bloody Leigh Matthews! It was a long trek home from Waverley that night.

We only lost 6 games during the season & each week you went to the game expecting to win.

Some of the better players that season:

1 - Andrew Purser - Wasn't real tall, but gave 100% all the time. A great ruckman.
2 - Jim Sewell - Handy at either end of the ground.
4 - Brad Hardie - Won the Brownlow in his first season. Was brilliant that season.
7 - Doug Hawkins - Won the B&F in a stellar season. Lifted a cog in the finals.
8 - Rick Kennedy - Tough as nails & relished the physical stuff.
9 - Les bamblett - Lally was a freak. His speed at the drop of a ball was like the seagulls as Flinders Street Station after a chip. Played against Essendon a few days after having his appendix removed. Kicked 51 goals that season.
11 - Allen Daniels - Shorty didn't like the rough stuff but just knew how to get it & send it forward.
18 - Simon Beasley - Gee he led, marked & kicked well in 1985. He wasn't liked by opposition supporters, but we loved him. Kicked many big bags too.
20 - Jim Edmond - How good were Jock's hands? He ran full tilt into the ball & everything was one grab. 38 goals.
21 - Tony Buhagiar - Budgie was only with us for the one season, but was a perfect foil for Chocco. 36 goals.
24 - Steve Wallis - Wally was superb, just the perfect link between defence & attack.
27 - Stephen MacPherson - Super was terrific, just poise & could go hard when needed & didn't mind doing that either. Kicked nearly 40 goals too.
29 - Neil Cordy - Levi's was steady down back, nothing special, but more than handy.
33 - Brian Royal - This was the period where Chocco dominated. he was brilliant, just seemed to know how to get the ball & a great finisher. Kicked 37 goals.
45 - Michael Ford - Another dasher from defence who was a thumping kick.
49 - Brian Cordy - Toby was fantastic down back, just so dependable week in week out.
51 - Michael McLean - Magic was the junior of the team with silky skills, just loped across the turf.

Great times back then.

Kelvin Templeton, Ted Whitten, Geoff Jennings and Mick Egan were all retired and still under 30.

[ledge]

Re: There have been a few times...

We improved from 83 to 84, but I didn't see the improvement that was 1985 coming.

We played wonderful football & had matchwinners aplenty.

It all started with a win over Carlton at Princes Park in round 1. It was a hot day & this little red head with long sleeves kept getting the ball & sending it forward. I think Pieman kicked 8 that day.

We played Essendon, the all conquering Essendon in about round 5 at the Whitten Oval. It was tense until we broke the game open in the 3rd term. Glen Hawker got pinged for running too far & that opened the floodgates. Chocco burst from the centre & bombed a long left foot goal through towards the Geelong Road end goals. A 7 goal win.

A tense struggle against North at Waverly mid season resulted in a 2 point win. I recall Zeno playing on Phil Krakouer in the last quarter & he did really well.

The first win I could remember at Geelong. It was a high scoring affair & we won by 4 goals.

We then thrashed Melbourne at home by 20 goals the following week. Beaser kicked a dozen that day.

In the last round we lost a close one to the Saints at Moorabbin. I think that their coach Daryl Baldock suffered a stroke & Alan Davis coached them. they got up for the Doc.

In the first final we were overawed by Hawthorn (sound familiar?) & were trounced by 93 points.

The following week we beat North & Beaser brought up the ton. Hawk hit Jock with the best pass I have ever seen. Unfortunately we lost Mark Kellett & Michael Ford during the match & they missed the Prelim the following week.

I still don't know how we lost that game. We had Hawthorn's measure & as GVGjr says, would have beaten Essendon the following week. Bloody Leigh Matthews! It was a long trek home from Waverley that night.

We only lost 6 games during the season & each week you went to the game expecting to win.

Some of the better players that season:

1 - Andrew Purser - Wasn't real tall, but gave 100% all the time. A great ruckman.
2 - Jim Sewell - Handy at either end of the ground.
4 - Brad Hardie - Won the Brownlow in his first season. Was brilliant that season.
7 - Doug Hawkins - Won the B&F in a stellar season. Lifted a cog in the finals.
8 - Rick Kennedy - Tough as nails & relished the physical stuff.
9 - Les bamblett - Lally was a freak. His speed at the drop of a ball was like the seagulls as Flinders Street Station after a chip. Played against Essendon a few days after having his appendix removed. Kicked 51 goals that season.
11 - Allen Daniels - Shorty didn't like the rough stuff but just knew how to get it & send it forward.
18 - Simon Beasley - Gee he led, marked & kicked well in 1985. He wasn't liked by opposition supporters, but we loved him. Kicked many big bags too.
20 - Jim Edmond - How good were Jock's hands? He ran full tilt into the ball & everything was one grab. 38 goals.
21 - Tony Buhagiar - Budgie was only with us for the one season, but was a perfect foil for Chocco. 36 goals.
24 - Steve Wallis - Wally was superb, just the perfect link between defence & attack.
27 - Stephen MacPherson - Super was terrific, just poise & could go hard when needed & didn't mind doing that either. Kicked nearly 40 goals too.
29 - Neil Cordy - Levi's was steady down back, nothing special, but more than handy.
33 - Brian Royal - This was the period where Chocco dominated. he was brilliant, just seemed to know how to get the ball & a great finisher. Kicked 37 goals.
45 - Michael Ford - Another dasher from defence who was a thumping kick.
49 - Brian Cordy - Toby was fantastic down back, just so dependable week in week out.
51 - Michael McLean - Magic was the junior of the team with silky skills, just loped across the turf.

Great times back then.

Those were the days Baz, the year I was engaged to Bull Masons daughter,if anyone remembers Bull, and big Al Ford was living with me, never forget being in a car with Brad Hardie the day before he won the Brownlow and him doing donuts in the old stonedust car park.
Was the year Ronnie James played in the GF at Willy, half of us didnt make the game due to a stop on the way at the Waterloo Cup Hotel.
Yes Baz one year that i will always remember as far as football, characters and Footscray goes.

[Bornadog]

Re: There have been a few times...

We improved from 83 to 84, but I didn't see the improvement that was 1985 coming.

We played wonderful football & had matchwinners aplenty.

...........
Great times back then.

Great summary, it was one of my favourite seasons as we hadn't played finals since 1976 and we were just awesome.

I have a whole video tape of many games I recorded that year, with some fantastic moments.

[Rocket Science]

Re: There have been a few times...

We improved from 83 to 84, but I didn't see the improvement that was 1985 coming.

We played wonderful football & had matchwinners aplenty.

It all started with a win over Carlton at Princes Park in round 1. It was a hot day & this little red head with long sleeves kept getting the ball & sending it forward. I think Pieman kicked 8 that day.

We played Essendon, the all conquering Essendon in about round 5 at the Whitten Oval. It was tense until we broke the game open in the 3rd term. Glen Hawker got pinged for running too far & that opened the floodgates. Chocco burst from the centre & bombed a long left foot goal through towards the Geelong Road end goals. A 7 goal win.

A tense struggle against North at Waverly mid season resulted in a 2 point win. I recall Zeno playing on Phil Krakouer in the last quarter & he did really well.

The first win I could remember at Geelong. It was a high scoring affair & we won by 4 goals.

We then thrashed Melbourne at home by 20 goals the following week. Beaser kicked a dozen that day.

In the last round we lost a close one to the Saints at Moorabbin. I think that their coach Daryl Baldock suffered a stroke & Alan Davis coached them. they got up for the Doc.

In the first final we were overawed by Hawthorn (sound familiar?) & were trounced by 93 points.

The following week we beat North & Beaser brought up the ton. Hawk hit Jock with the best pass I have ever seen. Unfortunately we lost Mark Kellett & Michael Ford during the match & they missed the Prelim the following week.

I still don't know how we lost that game. We had Hawthorn's measure & as GVGjr says, would have beaten Essendon the following week. Bloody Leigh Matthews! It was a long trek home from Waverley that night.

We only lost 6 games during the season & each week you went to the game expecting to win.

Some of the better players that season:

1 - Andrew Purser - Wasn't real tall, but gave 100% all the time. A great ruckman.
2 - Jim Sewell - Handy at either end of the ground.
4 - Brad Hardie - Won the Brownlow in his first season. Was brilliant that season.
7 - Doug Hawkins - Won the B&F in a stellar season. Lifted a cog in the finals.
8 - Rick Kennedy - Tough as nails & relished the physical stuff.
9 - Les bamblett - Lally was a freak. His speed at the drop of a ball was like the seagulls as Flinders Street Station after a chip. Played against Essendon a few days after having his appendix removed. Kicked 51 goals that season.
11 - Allen Daniels - Shorty didn't like the rough stuff but just knew how to get it & send it forward.
18 - Simon Beasley - Gee he led, marked & kicked well in 1985. He wasn't liked by opposition supporters, but we loved him. Kicked many big bags too.
20 - Jim Edmond - How good were Jock's hands? He ran full tilt into the ball & everything was one grab. 38 goals.
21 - Tony Buhagiar - Budgie was only with us for the one season, but was a perfect foil for Chocco. 36 goals.
24 - Steve Wallis - Wally was superb, just the perfect link between defence & attack.
27 - Stephen MacPherson - Super was terrific, just poise & could go hard when needed & didn't mind doing that either. Kicked nearly 40 goals too.
29 - Neil Cordy - Levi's was steady down back, nothing special, but more than handy.
33 - Brian Royal - This was the period where Chocco dominated. he was brilliant, just seemed to know how to get the ball & a great finisher. Kicked 37 goals.
45 - Michael Ford - Another dasher from defence who was a thumping kick.
49 - Brian Cordy - Toby was fantastic down back, just so dependable week in week out.
51 - Michael McLean - Magic was the junior of the team with silky skills, just loped across the turf.

Great times back then.

A grand season beautifully summarised...While nary a teen, similar memories abound and are indelibly etched into my heart and mind.

THAT'S the team that forever cemented my love for this club...and finally, if momentarily gave me something to toss back into the faces of my mouthy, front-running Pies/Blues/Dons/Tiges supporting schoolmates.

They got theirs I suppose...Then along came the Hawks.

[Sedat]

Re: There have been a few times...

1985 was a wonderful season, and whilst I walked away from the prelim disappointed, I thought we were going to be serious contender for a few years to come. We added Rance and McGuiness to the list the following year but the players thought that it would just automatically happen - losing Dougie to a crippling knee injury early in the season seemed to take the wind out of our sails.

The one year that really frustrated me was 1999. We had come off consecutive prelims, added silky quality in Winmar to the squad, and then barely lost a single game by more than a couple of goals all season. We ended up 15-6-1 for the season, in 4th place, and having convincingly beaten or ran close all 3 teams ahead of us (we hammered eventual premier North by 7 goals at the MCG during the season when Granty outshone Carey and kicked a big bag). Then we pissed this down the drain on that infamous windy Friday night against West Coast in the first week of the finals, consigning us to a road trip to Brisbane and straight sets elimination. Just a terrible finish to what was brewing as a special season.

My personal favourite season was 1992. It was barely 2 years after our brush with death and Wheels had us playing exciting and vibrant football for the season. That first half in the QF against the Cats when Del Re went beserk was amazing. Unfortunately the Cats tore us apart in the 2nd half and again in the prelim. We beat the Saints convincingly 3 times that season, including their only loss for 2 years at Moorabin, when we were crippled with 6 key injuries from the previous week but still managed to beat Lockett, Winmar and Loewe in their prime on their own dung hill.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: There have been a few times...

The one year that really frustrated me was 1999. We had come off consecutive prelims, added silky quality in Winmar to the squad, and then barely lost a single game by more than a couple of goals all season. We ended up 15-6-1 for the season, in 4th place, and having convincingly beaten or ran close all 3 teams ahead of us (we hammered eventual premier North by 7 goals at the MCG during the season when Granty outshone Carey and kicked a big bag). Then we pissed this down the drain on that infamous windy Friday night against West Coast in the first week of the finals, consigning us to a road trip to Brisbane and straight sets elimination. Just a terrible finish to what was brewing as a special season.

We smashed West Coast that night - 60 more possesions than them. It was the only time I've ever truely felt shafted by an umpire - Gavin Dore.

That was the night Todd Curley pushed Wirapunda in the back inside the centre square and while the umpires were changing positions the 2nd umpire set the mark on the 50m line - they accidentally gave WC an old fashioned 15m penalty. Wirapunda's kick cleared Scotty Wynd on the goal line by inches.

Granty also took a hangar on Jakovich (in the wind, too) and got a free against him for high contact - with his knee on Jakovich's head!

Granty and Jakovich were pushing each other face-to-face as a high ball came in and Huddo jumped across the front of them and marked 20m out - Granty got a free against him for shepharding.

Crofty got done for holding the ball after being driven into the ground in WC's goalsquare. Not only was it a clear in-the-back, the ball had spilled through for a point anyway.

We lost by 5pts.


I've never really got over that night.