The 1987 VFL finals series was contested using the McIntyre final five system, which had been in use since 1972.
Week one (Qualifying and Elimination finals)
Elimination final (North Melbourne v Melbourne)
Melbourne were making their first VFL finals appearance since 1964, while North Melbourne had last appeared in 1985. This was the second final between the two sides, having previously met in the first semi-final in 1954 which was won by Melbourne.[1]
The Qualifying Final saw second-placed Hawthorn host third-placed Sydney at VFL Park. The game was significant for Sydney coach Tom Hafey as he reached 500 games as coach. In what was a crushing victory for Hawthorn, Warwick Capper booted four goals to become the second player after Tony Lockett to reach 100 goals for the season, but suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the semi-final. Wingman Merv Neagle also suffered a knee injury.
The First Semi-final saw Melbourne host Sydney at the MCG. This was the second VFL final contested between the two clubs, having met for the first time back in the 1936 Preliminary Final, when Sydney were formerly based in South Melbourne. South Melbourne won that encounter 13.11 (89) to 8.15 (63).
The Second Semi-final saw minor premier Carlton play Hawthorn at VFL Park. This marked the seventh VFL final contested between the two clubs, having previously met in the 1986 VFL Grand Final which was won by Hawthorn. The two teams met twice during the 1987 home-and-away season in Rounds 1 and 14, with the Hawks winning both encounters.
The Preliminary Final saw Hawthorn play Melbourne at VFL Park on Saturday 19 September for the right to contest the grand final against Carlton. Among the spectators was Wimbledon champion and Hawks fan Pat Cash, who had interrupted a holiday in Queensland with family to attend the match.[3]
Teams
The line-ups as announced on the Thursday before the game were as published in The Football Record.[4]
Although kicking against the wind, it was Hawthorn who controlled most of the play early in the game until Demons took the lead. The lead for most of the many until the frenetic final minutes, Hawthon’s Gary Bukenara marks just before the final siren. A 15-meter penalty, due to Melbourne’s Jim Stynes running over the mark, helped him kick a goal, with Hawthorn winning by 2 points.[5]
This was the second consecutive Grand Final involving Carlton, who were chasing a League record 15th VFL premiership, and Hawthorn, who were chasing their 7th premiership and aiming for their first set of back-to-back flags.
^"Cash on the Edge of Seat". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 18, 979. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 September 1987. p. 6 (Sunday Sport). Retrieved 4 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
