Cracking year, I was only ten, but it was when I was really starting to love the game.

Me too, what month were you born?

Think that year sealed my love for the dees. My old man used to crack it I didn't follow Fitzroy

For those of you who remember 1987 AFL season, Melbourne had not been in the finals for 23 years. Out of the first 9 games we won 4. We ended up 12 wins and 10 losses and squeezed into the top five as it was then, winning six out of the last seven games. We had a very young and inexperienced side (including 19 year old jim Stynes in his first year in the senior) under new coach John Northey who tried to drum in unprecedented disciplines into the side's play including at relentless running game,

We eventually won two finals against the Swans and North only to be knocked out of the preliminary final in the last kick of the day by Hawthorn after the inexperienced Stynes ran through the mark after the siren resulting in a 15 metre penalty and Buckanara slotted the goal from 50 metres out.

It is not impossible for us to do this again. I see a growing self belief, with improvement every week as we go through the season with increasing confidence in the coach and his game-plan, just like Northey then. I don't buy that just because we have only won 3 out of 9, that it is impossible to improve greatly on that post bye. Let's hope history will repeat itself.

Go Dees!

I just noticed this interesting tid bit of information in an article on the 'Coodabeens' on the AFL website from yesterday. Oh the irony! What coodabeen for the Dees!

Gary Buckenara: After playing in two premierships with Hawthorn in 1983 and 1986, Buckenara wished to return home to play with West Coast in 1987. But Hawthorn had a clause in his initial contract that gave them the option to renew his deal for two more years. Buckenara took the matter to court claiming a restraint of trade but Hawthorn won the case. Buckenara stayed and played in two more premierships.

Edited May 28, 201510 yr by Ascobar

For those of you who remember 1987 AFL season, Melbourne had not been in the finals for 23 years. Out of the first 9 games we won 4. We ended up 12 wins and 10 losses and squeezed into the top five as it was then, winning six out of the last seven games. We had a very young and inexperienced side (including 19 year old jim Stynes in his first year in the senior) under new coach John Northey who tried to drum in unprecedented disciplines into the side's play including at relentless running game,

We eventually won two finals against the Swans and North only to be knocked out of the preliminary final in the last kick of the day by Hawthorn after the inexperienced Stynes ran through the mark after the siren resulting in a 15 metre penalty and Buckanara slotted the goal from 50 metres out.

It is not impossible for us to do this again. I see a growing self belief, with improvement every week as we go through the season with increasing confidence in the coach and his game-plan, just like Northey then. I don't buy that just because we have only won 3 out of 9, that it is impossible to improve greatly on that post bye. Let's hope history will repeat itself.

Go Dees!

I love your enthusiasm and remember that cruel day at Waverly when we deserved the win so much.

I also noticed that something has changed in our club. We suddenly have more than one player who really gives a [censored] and wants to win. Very exciting times ahead for us all. There is a growing spirit at MFC and its being led finally by our playing group. Bernie Vince is one that is leading the way and many more are getting on board.

Newport,Flower,Lovell,Stynes,Wight,Johnson,Danny Hughes,Grinter,Strawbs,Hilton,Sugar,Tony Campbell,Stretch,Lovett,Lyon,Rigoni,Tingay?,

Some of the players IIRC.

Who was Hilton?

Who was Hilton?

Jeff Hilton? But he played in the early 90's.

Who was Hilton?

Jeff-Forward pocket with a terrible peroxided mullet.

"The Hotel"

Jeff Hilton? But he played in the early 90's.

True.

Battiston?

or was he finished.

Jeff-Forward pocket with a terrible peroxided mullet.

"The Hotel"

[censored] if I remember him.

True.

Battiston?

or was he finished.

The drugs have done for you Biff - Battison finished years earlier ..... I think.

The drugs have done for you Biff - Battison finished years earlier ..... I think.

Brian Wilson.

Your type of player-totally selfish.

Remember?

It was yesterday wasn't it?

I was up the top of the top of the old concrete Ponsford stand...

We beat Norf!!!! Fantastic.

Its why I've been a member ever since

Paying 4 Premium memberships for me and my 3 sons

All those yrs since

Just so we have a ticket for the Grand Final

'Should Melbourne Compete!!"

PS I voted for the Merger.

Because it was us taking over Hawthorn

It was the right thing at the time

'Why do i still feel guilty?"

God they were great days!

Cheers

Ricky Jackson was the forward pocket.

And Yeats was reliable as well.

Newport,Flower,Lovell,Stynes,Wight,Johnson,Danny Hughes,Grinter,Strawbs,Hilton,Sugar,Tony Campbell,Stretch,Lovett,Lyon,Rigoni,Tingay?,

Some of the players IIRC.

Hilton, Rigoni and Tingay were a bit later. Tingay debuted round 1, 1989 with a terrible rat tail haircut and kicked the winning goal on debut a snap from about 40 out against the Lions (the real FITZROY Lions).

Another favourite from the 87 era is the Duke big Earl Spalding. And of course Todd Viney who kicked the first goal in the 87 Elimination Final vs North to start the avalanche.

Hilton, Rigoni and Tingay were a bit later. Tingay debuted round 1, 1989 with a terrible rat tail haircut and kicked the winning goal on debut a snap from about 40 out against the Lions (the real FITZROY Lions).

Another favourite from the 87 era is the Duke big Earl Spalding. And of course Todd Viney who kicked the first goal in the 87 Elimination Final vs North to start the avalanche.

I thought Earl's nickname was The Baron? But wasn't he a player and he copped a lot of Shyte for our loss to WC in 1991 if I remember. Probably cost us finals appearances in 92 and 93. He went on to play a big role in the Blues 95 premiership. Not hugely skilled but was a big presence who could contest.

Newport,Flower,Lovell,Stynes,Wight,Johnson,Danny Hughes,Grinter,Strawbs,Hilton,Sugar,Tony Campbell,Stretch,Lovett,Lyon,Rigoni,Tingay?,

Some of the players IIRC.

Warren Dean was instrumental that day, as was Simon Eishold sadly!!

Warren Dean was instrumental that day, as was Simon Eishold sadly!!

Just watched it.

Cant remember Chiron or Williams much.or Dean.

`Malthouse out coached by Northey.

Williams and Dean did good.

Earl"the pearl" also.

Edited May 28, 201510 yr by Biffen

Who was Hilton?

Who is BBO?

Just watched it.

Cant remember Chiron or Williams much.or Dean.

`Malthouse out coached by Northey.

Williams and Dean did good.

Earl"the pearl" also.

Williams could kick some big hauls on his day, and be unsighted often as well! Handy player on most occasions. Chiron was your classic Northey protege, very limited ability but hard working n just had a crack every match he played... Not many though from memory.

Sorry if this has been noted somewhere between the OP and here but the OP refers to us currently being 3 from 9. In fact, if (when!) we win this weekend we'll be 4 from 9, JUST like '87...

JUST sayin'.

p.s. I have a separate thread, ready for bumping at an appropriate time, that wonders if 11 wins (or even 10!?) will be eight-worthy this year, compared with '87's 12 (our Hawks-caused % doesn't help though )

Warren Dean was instrumental that day, as was Simon Eishold sadly!!

Haven't revisited it since 87 but still reckon Eihold took that mark in the goal square but his momentum took him off the side of the square. The ump then made him line up from where he finished rather than where he took the mark. Eishold then stuffed up the tight angle shot for a point. A goal would have pretty much sealed it as I remember it. And Warren Dean could play but did his knee the next year, familiar story back then.

Who is BBO?

start a new thread..........it could go for years

I too went to that Doggies match at Western Oval. Most exciting H&A match I've ever been to, especially as the other game came to an end and I realised we were finals bound.

i was there too , what a day

start a new thread..........it could go for years

Or just minutes......

Speaking of topical, I was at the final Bulldogs game in 87 and Mick Malthouse brushed past me as he went to climb the skinny ladder up to the Bulldogs coaches box at 3/4 time. Had the look he had the game in the bag.