This year, for me, has a sniff of 1987 about it

[Cam]

1987 The Pies finished an uncharacteristic 12th, out of 14 teams, they had fallen from 6th the previous year [top 5 played finals then]. New coach Leigh Matthews had taken over in '86 in extraordinary circumstances, former player Bob Rose had taken on the job at the end of '84 [after John Cahill had resigned after two years, after Mick Erwin had filled in, after Tom Hafey got sacked during the '82 season - yep a bit unstable], but ceded to assistant Matthews after losing the first 3 games of the '86 season.

Matthews, played youth, many of whom had won the Under 19s premiership of 1986. Those names would go down in folklore: Brown, Crosisca, McGuane, Christian, Starcevich, Richardson. 1988 he brought in more: Wright, Monkhorst and got Barwick from Fitzroy.

Brown, Crosisca, Christian, Starcevich, Athas Hrysoulakis and Neil Brindley debuted round 1 in a 91 point loss to the Swans at Victoria Park no less, Gavin with 21 touches a very good start to a career. Richardson got one touch in his debut against Melbourne in round 7. McGuane waited until round 18 against the Dogs for his 6 touch debut. Paul Tuddenham got his shot in round 21. Jason Croall debuted in round 2, Terry Keays round 4, Brett Yorgey in round 11, Mark Orval in round 16, Mark Perkins got his shot in round 17, Greg Faull round 19.

15 debutants!

1988 it was Wright in round 1, Monkhorst sat on the bench in round 2, didn't start playing until round 11, 1989 which is amazing in itself.

Those kids, introduced in a bunch, when paired with some talented veterans and mid career players [and some inspired picks in the '88 and '89 drafts] led us to the holiest of holy grails, the 1990 premiership.

Likewise the bunch from Gippland Power... Pendlebury, Dale Thomas, Goldsack, McCaffer helped us win in 1990.

Things are looking up.

[Ronnie McKeowns boots]

Was thinking about this the other day; I can't help but think the fact we brought in crucial elements to our midfield before both of last flags (Russell and Francis 1990, Jolly and Ball 2010) and at the end of the day this proved the difference.

1990 wasn't a year for big men in the finals, it was the midfield run that won it for us, and 2010 is close enough for all to remember.

But the '86 crop were a beauty no doubt, and I'm loving the kids this year

[Pies2016]

I haven’t done the hard numbers ( or nor could I with about 10 rounds to go ) but we are likely to go into 2022 with around 15 players with less than 15 games under their belt. I think 2022 is going to be incredibly exciting from the promising talent aspect.
There won’t be a perennial whipping boy in sight next year .... but I’m sure “ we “ will always find room for a new one.

[Harrysz]

This is a great post Cam.
Getting games into those young players was crucial, as was getting a new coach.

[inxs88]

Remember Capper having 7 goals against Christian by half-time in that 1987 opener. Gotta feeling we also had Glenn Howard from the Hawks debuting that day.

[ronrat]

1990 wasn't a year for big men in the finals, it was the midfield run that won it for us, and 2010 is close enough for all to remember.

But the '86 crop were a beauty no doubt, and I'm loving the kids this year[/quote]

Momkhurst had a great grand final and fed Shaw all day and kicked a goal. Starcevich was killing them until Daniher belted him. Watch the tape again.

[Ronnie McKeowns boots]

[Magpie Phil]

Cam, every time I see you post it becomes a must read for me. You are an intelligent and wise man. (Never stop posting).
This is no exception. Brilliant post, and I must say, the same thoughts have crossed my mind many times recently.
Seriously can’t wait to see more of Henry, McCreery and especially McInnes to debut, this kids going to be a beauty. Add 20-30 games to these boys along with the young guns presently playing in the 1’s is mouthwatering.
Plenty to like going forward, just get that salary cap right add a Fred agent here and there and within a few years we may (God willing) see a potential dynasty present itself.
Thank you Cam.
Phil.

[ronrat]

Don;t forget that Dennis Banks, who could be classified as a big bloke,. helped us winning the game by belting Sporn and Essendon spent 3 qtrs trying to even up. \

Kelly held his own.

As for 2010 well Jolly was dominate and very unlucky not to get a Normie.

Fraser and Rocca nearly got us home in 2002 except for a Voss inspired last quarter and a few blind umpires.

In our next GF win I suspect it will be on the back of a Grundy day out and an emerging tall having a day out.

[neil]

Cam like what you have written a lot. One thing we had a player in 1990 you didnt mention D Milane

[RudeBoy]

That's an excellent analysis Cam. I think you are right about our Premiership foundation beginning in 1987.

For me, however, 1989 was the year I knew we were soon to be Premiership bound. That was the year we recruited a genuine hard man in Craig Kelly. I recall us playing a pre-season exhibition footy match in Los Angeles (in an indoor baseball stadium) against the Hawks, and Ned absolutely polaxed Brereton, hitting him like a mac truck. Brereton had to be taken off. I remember watching it on TV and shouting "yes, that's what we need". I'd grown up hearing all about 'the Weed' and 'Hooker' Harrison, so knew that despite all the talent in the world (which we'd had in the 70s), to win Premierships you need some genuine old fashioned mongrel. By 1990, with Kelly, Millane and Banks, we had that in spades.