I don’t know what it is about a vintage game that sucks me in. Maybe it is the fact that it is so far removed from what we see weekly during the AFL season, that it is like watching an entirely new, or old, form of the game?
The rules are different. The style of play can be messy, and the grounds are not in the pristine condition they are these days, but for me, it adds to the charm. Things seem a little more willing – a little more on-edge.
It speaks to me.
After a brief break in watching some footy to recharge the batteries after the 2024 season, the irrepressible Rhett Bartlett lured me back to the fold.
The son of one of the greatest of all time has also been compiling quite the YouTube collection of vintage games, and highlights that are well worth your perusal. One that caught my eye, in particular, was the 1988 Elimination Final pitting the West Coast Eagles, in just their second season, squaring off against the Demons at the Waverley… for some reason
Of course, footy historians are all-too-aware that the Dees bested the Eagles on that day and went on to eventually play in the decider, but after finishing eighth (in a 14-team competition) in their debut season, West Coast vaulted into the finals in only their second year. Imagine a team coming into the league and doing that now?
The Eagles finished fourth, winning 13 games, the same as the Dees in fifth, and lined up for a do-or-die clash.
Featuring names like Ross Glendinning, John Worsfold, Guy McKenna, and Chris Mainwaring, the Eagles were a force right from the outset. Opposed to them were Garry Lyon, Jim Stynes, and The Duke, Earl Spalding.
I won’t say this was a classic, as the conditions conspired to prevent any chance of free-flowing footy, yet this still had plenty to it. The finish was a ripper… if somewhat controversial.
For me, it was the perfect way to ease back into footy after a month or so of not watching any. The Dees were looking for the fairytale after their dramatic Preliminary Final exit, 12 months before. The Eagles were breaking their finals cherry and already had several pieces of their inaugural premiership in the side. It reminded me of why I love footy.
Let’s get into what happened.
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