Rooster Reminisces A look back at a memorable match from each round

Round 12 Season 1987 (Saturday 27 June)

The man of the hour… or rather the match! Darel Hart was simply brilliant in the mud-heap Norwood Oval to lead his club to a victory in the face of defeat (Mick Redden and Roger Carlaw are looking on)

There are games where a player’s performance clearly defines what characterises him as a footballer. Many games before, and after, may also have showcased their brilliance, their match-winning qualities. But then one game comes along and clearly demonstrates what the player represents. Courage, never- say-die, lead-by-example, professional, team ethic, enrapturing the qualities of leadership to teammates and supporters. This applied in Round 12, 1987… the player was Darel Hart.

Background North were enjoying a successful football dynasty when the 1987 season arrived despite no premierships from their two Grand Final efforts in the previous seasons. Sure, the premiership wasn’t at Prospect Oval, but the North supporters were spoilt with spectacular and eye-catching brilliant football for 90% of the footy seasons. Names that still spring a smile to the face of supporters today when reflecting back to the 1980s and the excitement and enjoyment they provided the supporters. Darel Hart was named captain at the start of the 1987 season and was settling into the role like duck to water. And North were on a mission – premiership or nothing in 1987. When they went to Norwood Oval in Round 12 were on top of the table having only lost one match. Norwood was hot on their heels in 3rd position.

The Match Over 7,000 fans ventured to Norwood Oval on a miserable, wet, muddy afternoon it a highly anticipated meeting. Both teams were coming off lacklustre victories the previous weekend and it was Norwood that was the first to get their systems in place and dictate proceedings. Norwood dominated the scoring opportunities kicking the only goals for the quarter and leaving North rattled with only three points at the first break. A response was expected by North in the second term but Norwood continued their ascendancy with another four-goal term to North’s two. Poor goalkicking by North – with gun forward John Roberts one of those responsible – didn’t help Norths efforts. Norwood were simply tougher in the battle where muddy body-on-body contests were the feature of the day. History clearly shows a 35-points margin is a margin that is rarely reined in by the losing team to snatch a victory. To achieve the win North would need to hunt down their 3rd highest deficit at the main break before coming home victors. To make matters worse and just to make the tough challenge even tougher they were playing at Norwood’s home fort on a mud-spattered ground.

It was, seemingly, a mountain too high to climb.

Coach Mike Nunan needed someone to inspire the team and to drag North back into the game by finding a way back into the contest. And it was his captain, Darel Hart, who came to the fore. With his troops rallying behind him Hart set the wheels in motion and avenge the first-half disappointment by creating havoc around the stoppages and setting up scoring opportunities. With fellow midfielders David Sanders and the exceptionally-skilled brothers Andrew and the Roosters began the grind back into winning contention. The Roosters third quarter was sensational. North kicked 5.6 – still poor efficiency at goal their only sour note for their efforts – and held Norwood to a poor 1.1 to bring the game back into even-stevens at the last break. Amazingly, the one-goal deficit at the last break was quickly evaporated as North’s last quarter continued their second half steam-rolling performance. North kicked a further three goals and kept Norwood goal-less to run out an unexpected but highly exciting 11-point victory.

North had won many games previously by pure brilliance, skill, fast-flowing football but that afternoon it was won by grit, hard work, second and third efforts and uncompromising football. Simply speaking, they won it through G & D (guts and determination).

The Sunday Mail scribes were clearly impressed with the performance of the North captain and were keen on highlighting his leadership. • “Looking forever the war-torn gladiator from days gone by, North captain Darel Hart yesterday strode off Norwood Oval, mud splattered, weary but triumphant. The battle-hardened campaigner had just unleashed a special brand of courage and commitment... qualities that helped spark the Roosters to their seventh successive win.”

His efforts recorded him with statistics of 23 kicks, six marks, 10 handballs and a goal. His efforts also stamped him of a leader amongst men. The fabulous Jarman brothers were also in the thick of it with their memorable jumpers rollicking around Norwood Oval at will: No. 17 jumper Andrew collecting 13 kicks, 18 handballs but an unsurprising five free kicks against, while jumper No. 8 Darren collected16 kicks in his 20 disposals. No-fanfare but ever reliable David Sanders picked up 19 touches and two goals from his wing, David Wildy was again solid and dependable in defence and the scruffy Steven Sims was also in the fray.

The Umpires voted Darel Hart two votes for his inspiring second half with the other votes given to Norwood’s Michael Aish (3) and Michael Taylor (2).

What a wonderful support group behind Hart’s efforts (l-r): David Sanders, , David Wildy, Darren Jarman, Steven Sims and Jason Roe

The Aftermath The match doesn’t stand out when looking back over history books but the confidence the players and club gained from such an inspirational victory would have harvested so much self-belief for the remainder of the season. And who knows if that self-belief just helped fuel the fire in the remainder of their best season in history when the Roosters would be cock ‘o’ hoop with a premiership to finish the season.

North supporters (here at a game at Football Park later in the 1987 season) were just as jubilant after the Norwood Oval victory

Match Details: North 0.3 2.7 7.13 10.16 76 Norwood 4.4 8.6 9.7 9.11 65 Ground: Norwood Oval Crowd: 7,070

Best Players: Hart, A. Jarman, Sanders, D. Jarman, Roe, Sims, Wildy Goalkickers: Roberts 3.4, Slattery 2.2, Sanders 2.0, Burton 1.1, Hart 1.1, Carlaw 1.0, A. Jarman 0.2, Bennett 0.1, rushed 0.5

The Team: F: Wayne Slattery, John Roberts, Steven Sims HF: Kevin Fischer, Peter Bennett, Craig Burton C: Roger Carlaw, Andrew Jarman, David Sanders HB: Jason Roe, Trevor Clisby, David Tiller B: Peter Simmons, Paul Arnold, David Wildy 1R: Michael Parsons, Darren Jarman, Darel Hart Res: ,

Stats Fact • 25-point quarter-time deficit – =2nd highest comeback margin against Norwood in any match – ironically the other time was in Round 21, 1987 – their next clash; • 35-point half-time deficit –highest comeback margin against Norwood in any match and =3rd highest against any team in any match;

Round 12 Stats Fact • No records from this match for this round the third quarter – most behinds in a quarter

David O’Hara History Committee