AAMI Footy Flashback – 1987 SANFL Grand Final

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide was desperate to make a statement in the 1987 SANFL Grand Final.

In the past two seasons, the Roosters had been minor premier only to be upset by Glenelg in the 1985 and 1986 title-deciders.

After finishing top of the table for the third consecutive season at the end of the minor round, this time with just three losses, Michael Nunan’s charges braced themselves for the Bays on the big stage yet again.

And it was very clear from the first bounce that they would not be pushed around this time.

In the wake of a significant melee on the members wing, the Roosters drew first blood on the scoreboard from a Steven Sims snap in traffic.

It was followed up by a passage of play engineered by the Jarman brothers as older sibling Andrew kicked to half-forward where Darren pounced on to the loose ball before kicking a classic left-foot goal from the boundary line.

By the time Darren followed it up with another left-foot snap directly in front, North was well on its way to establishing a five-goal lead at the first change.

From there, it was a red-and-white avalanche of goals as key forward Michael Parsons went on to boot six majors en route to earning the Jack Oatey Medal as best afield.

Glenelg’s frustration was evident as tough midfielder Chris McDermott got into a tussle with North captain Darel Hart, only to give away another free kick down field.

The only thing left was for the Roosters to start the party early.

Darren Jarman returned the favour to Andrew, finding him by foot before the 1987 Magarey Medallist tried to outdo his little brother with a left-foot goal of his own in the final term.

It was pure joy for North Adelaide fans as they celebrated their first premiership since 1972.

Saturday October 3

North  5.1  11.4  18.5  23.7 (145)

Glenelg  0.1  1.5  4.7  9.9 (63)

Crowd – 50, 617 at Football Park

Jack Oatey Medal – Michael Parsons (North Adelaide)

1987 North Adelaide Premiership Team

F: M. Parsons, J. Roberts, S. Sims

HF: D. Jarman, P. Bennett, C. Burton

C: R. Carlaw, K. Klomp, D. Sanders

HB: J. Riley, T. Clisby, D. Tiller

B: P. Simmons, P. Arnold, S. Riley

R: M. Redden, A. Jarman, D. Hart (C)

Int: W. Slattery, M. Armfield

Coach: M. Nunan