1987 VFL Grand Final — Carlton Interrupt The Hawks Dynasty

The 1987 VFL Grand Final saw Carlton defeat Hawthorn 15.14 (104) to 9.17 (71) at the MCG — a 33-point margin that interrupted the Hawks’ late-1980s dynasty. Played on 26 September 1987 in front of 92,754 fans, Carlton’s premiership was the Blues’ second flag of the decade (after 1981 and 1982). Stephen Kernahan led the way. The Carlton-Hawthorn rivalry of the late 1980s was at its peak.

The Build-Up: Blues vs Hawks

Carlton, under David Parkin (in his second tenure), had built a finals-grade squad. Stephen Kernahan was the Blues’ star centre-half-forward; Bruce Doull was the legendary defender; Mark Williams (player, not coach) was the midfielder. The 1987 home-and-away campaign was strong.

Hawthorn, under Allan Jeans, had won the 1986 flag and were favourites for back-to-back. Dermott Brereton, Gary Ayres, Robert DiPierdomenico, Jason Dunstall (emerging) — multiple senior players at the peak.

The Match: Blues’ Coronation

Carlton started fast. Stephen Kernahan’s contested marking and goalkicking set the tempo. Bruce Doull’s defensive calm held the back line. Mark Williams’s class around the contest was decisive.

By half-time Carlton led by 20 points. The third quarter extended the margin. Hawthorn’s fourth-quarter resistance was admirable but futile.

Final score: Carlton 15.14 (104) defeated Hawthorn 9.17 (71) — a 33-point margin.

The Norm Smith Medal: Stephen Kernahan

The 1987 Norm Smith went to Stephen Kernahan of Carlton. Kernahan’s 5 goals and contested marking earned the recognition. Kernahan would go on to win three Coleman Medals and become Carlton’s all-time leading goalkicker.

The Premiership Coach: David Parkin (Second)

David Parkin collected his second Jock McHale Medal in 1987 (after 1981). He’d add a third in 1995.

Famous Moments

• Stephen Kernahan’s 5 goals — Norm Smith winning.
• Bruce Doull’s defensive masterclass.
• Mark Williams’s class around the contest.
• Greg Williams’s 25 disposals — emerging Carlton midfielder.
• Dermott Brereton’s defiant 3 goals.
• Gary Ayres’s 26 disposals.
• The 33-point Carlton winning margin.
• David Parkin’s emotional second Cup lift.
• The Blues’ supporter celebrations.
• The Hawthorn dynasty interrupted.

Trivia for the Pub

• Date: 26 September 1987, MCG.
• Final: Carlton 15.14 (104) defeated Hawthorn 9.17 (71).
• Margin: 33 points.
• Crowd: 92,754.
• Norm Smith: Stephen Kernahan.
• Jock McHale: David Parkin (second of three).
• Carlton’s 15th VFL/AFL premiership.
• The result interrupted Hawthorn’s late-1980s dynasty.
• Stephen Kernahan would go on to win three Coleman Medals.
• The 1987 win bridged Carlton’s 1981/1982 and 1995 premierships.

The Verdict

The 1987 VFL Grand Final was Carlton’s interruption of the Hawthorn dynasty. Stephen Kernahan’s Norm Smith, David Parkin’s second flag, and the 33-point Blues margin — all combined for a meaningful mid-1980s Grand Final. Long live the 1987 Blues.

For Hawthorn, the 1987 loss was a setback but not the end. The 1988, 1989, 1991 premierships would extend the Hawks’ dynasty. The 1987 Grand Final remains the only Hawks loss of the period 1986-1991.

The 1987 win confirmed the Carlton-Hawthorn rivalry as the AFL’s premier mid-1980s contest. Multiple Grand Finals between the two clubs across the decade established a heritage that continues to shape modern fixtures.