1989
The Great Grand Final
The 1989 Grand Final between Hawthorn and Geelong is considered one of the greatest of all. Hawthorn, seeking to go back-to-back for the first time was against a Geelong team that had not been in a Grand Final since 1967. The match had everything: unbridled violence, high scoring, Gary Ablett’s nine goals, and a Geelong fightback that saw it claw back a six-goal deficit at the last change to lose by a goal. At the end of the match, had it been a draw, a dozen players could not have turned out for the rematch. Injuries included broken ribs, multiple concussions, ripped muscles, punctured lungs.
In 1989: The Great Grand Final, takes a look back on one of the most spectacular games in footy history.
If you’re giving this book as a gift, tell me who the recipient barracks for and I’ll note that you ‘paid the price’ (plus postage).
Launch with Dermott and Yeates!
The book launched at the Glenferrie Hotel on 12th March 2020, just before the first lockdown in Melbourne. Mark Yeates spoke first, and joked that although he couldn’t finish Hawthorn off in 1989, ‘tonight I’ve come here covid positive and I plan to infect all of you over the course of the night’. It was a brilliant night all around, and I was honoured to have Yeates, Brereton, John Kennedy Jr, Chris Wittman, Greg Madigan, Gary Ayres, Peter Schwab, Don Scott and Leon Rice in attendance. I’ll post some photos.