1986 VFL grand final

Background

Main article: 1986 VFL season

Hawthorn were playing their fourth successive grand final and had lost the last two, while Carlton were appearing in their first premiership decider since winning the 1982 VFL Grand Final. At the conclusion of the home and away season, Hawthorn had finished first on the VFL ladder with 18 wins and 4 losses. Carlton had finished third (behind Sydney) with 15 wins and 7 losses.

In the finals series in the lead-up to the game, Carlton defeated Sydney in the qualifying final before meeting the Hawks in the second semi-final, which the Blues won by 28 points to advance to the grand final. Hawthorn, after this loss, convincingly defeated Fitzroy by 56 points in the preliminary final to advance to the grand final. Hawthorn entered the game as slight favourites despite their defeat to the Blues in the second semi-final.

Hawks player Robert DiPierdomenico won the Brownlow Medal in the week leading up to the game. Meanwhile, the Blues were looking to give Bruce Doull, who was retiring after the game, a winning finish to his 18-season career.

Teams

Match summary

Hawthorn full forward Jason Dunstall kicked the first goal of the match in the second minute after out-marking Bruce Doull. Carlton's Wayne Blackwell left the field in the hands of the Blues training staff during the first quarter. In their third consecutive grand final, Hawthorn jumped Carlton kicking 5.6 (36) to 1.5 (11) to lead by 25 points at quarter time. Their lead was extended during the second quarter, but Carlton were able to cut the margin to 21 points at half time.

A seven-goal burst by the Hawks in the third quarter sealed their win. In the final quarter Hawthorn kicked only one goal but by then the contest was effectively over. Hawthorn's Jason Dunstall, who was in just his second VFL season, kicked six goals to help the Hawks to victory. Gary Buckenara, who had missed the 1985 decider, kicked four goals for Hawthorn, all of them in the first half of the game.

The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Hawthorn defender Gary Ayres for being judged the best player afield. Ayres was playing on Carlton wingman David Rhys-Jones, who had been a match-winner against Hawthorn in the second semi-final. Ayres, playing on the wing for the first time in five years, nullified Rhys-Jones and set up many attacking moves for the Hawks. Ayres finished the game with 17 kicks, five marks and six handballs.

Scoreboard

• The match was the last played by 's Bruce Doull who retired following 356 matches with the club.

Tribunal

• Rhys-Jones (Carlton) for allegedly striking Ayres (Hawthorn in the first quarter. Rhys-Jones was suspended for two matches.
• Dear (Hawthorn) for allegedly striking Kernahan (Carlton) in the first quarter. Charge not sustained.

References

• Hawks Headquarters page on the 1986 Grand Final
• The Official statistical history of the AFL 2004
• Ross, J. (ed), 100 Years of Australian Football 1897–1996: The Complete Story of the AFL, All the Big Stories, All the Great Pictures, All the Champions, Every AFL Season Reported, Viking, (Ringwood), 1996.

References

1. (28 September 1986). "Finally, Hawks on third try win grand-final". Canberra Times.
2. (28 September 1986). "Sports results". Canberra Times.
3. (3 October 1986). "Rhys-Jones suspended". Canberra Times.