1987 becomes just another year in history for the Ferntree Gully Football Club after their six-point Grand Final victory over Forest Hill.
The Eagles controlled the early stages of the game however were unable to control the scoreboard. Forest Hill were able to create a mountain of pressure in the latter stages of the term and shifted momentum late taking a four-point lead into the first change.
From quarter time on wards the game between a genuine arm wrestle, Forest Hill were able to control majority of the first half and play the game on their terms, shutting down the run of the Eagles star-studded midfielders. After spending 15 minutes on the sidelines, Eagles forward Matt Petracca made up for lost time in the second term nailing two stellar goals to spur his side. Seven behinds in the second term costing Forest Hill who went into the main break trailing by 1 point despite having more scoring shots.
In the third term Ferntree Gully were able to ‘break the shackles’ and gain the momentum back kicking to the scoreboard end of the ground, they booted four goals for the term including a pearler from long range almost on the stroke of ¾ time from Michael Edwards.
The final term will be remembered by both sides for a number of years to come, a combination a sheer will power and the ability to outlast were the only two things that got the Eagles over the line with 36 players finishing on the ground after giving their all for both sides.
Ferntree Gully were able to break to an 11-point margin approaching time-on in the final term before Forest Hill skipper Jack Crosbie nailed a goal from deep in the pocket to close the margin once again. Unfortunately for his herd it wasn’t to be and time ran out with Ferntree Gully victorious by six points.
SENIORS Ferntree Gully 2.4-16 4.4-28 8.8-56 11.11-77 Forest Hill 3.2-20 3.9-27 6.11-47 10.11-71
Ferntree Gully Goal Kickers: M. Petracca 5, M. Edwards 3, J. Goodman, L. Kennedy, R. Aitken Best Players: M. Petracca, M. Edwards, B. Blizzard, A. Cavarra, F. Didonato, S. Godfrey
Forest Hill Goal Kickers: M. Carnelley 4, J.Crosbie 2, R. Laws, R. Fisher, N. Pincott, N. Jumeau Best Players: L. Gibbons, G. Willoughby, J. Davis, D. McGuire, A. Creak, S. McPherson
Blue Ribbon/ Frank Bibby Medal: Matt Petracca (Ferntree Gully)
RESERVES
Ferntree Gully 0.2-2 2.4-16 3.4-22 5.6-36 Forest Hill 0.3-3 0.4-4 1.9-15 1.10-16
Ferntree Gully Goal Kickers: V. Lorusso 2, T. Curtis, P. Lawson, A. Ryan Best Players: B. Rawlings, T. Buckley, J. Anderson, J. Farrell, A. Ryan, C. Quirk
Forest Hill Goal Kickers: A. Kinniburgh Best Players: J. Hair, J. O”Sullivan, J. Woodward, M. Gibbons, N. Haylock, J. Hills
Blue Ribbon Medal: Jarrett Anderson (Ferntree Gully)
UNDER 19’s
Ferntree Gully 2.0-12 4.1-25 8.2-50 9.4-58 Donvale 2.2-14 5.7-37 6.10-46 9.12-66
Ferntree Gully Goal Kickers: T. Wietrzyk 4, C. Beswick 3, M. Lawson, B. Siewert Best Players: Z. Elms, A. Barton-Smith, J. Siewert, L. Sproules, J. O”Donnell, J. Brown
Donvale Goal Kickers: R. Finch 3, C. Massarotti, K. Panayiotou, L. Leighton, J. Jordaan, H. Giles, J. Rowe Best Players: R. Finch, J. Rowe, J. Rausa, N. Martyn, C. Massarotti, R. Paterson
Blue Ribbon Medal: Robert Finch (Donvale)