Barry Hearl's 50-metre bomb now a 'good trivia question'
NORTH Adelaide's Barry Hearl didn't think much of his goal against the Bulldogs at the time. Then he realised he'd made SA footy history.
BARRY Hearl didn't think much of it at the time.
Then the North Adelaide runner ran out to him and said "congratulations, you've just made history, you've kicked the first goal at Football Park''.
Thirty-nine years later, Hearl jokes that he is better remembered for kicking the first major in a SANFL clash at the West Lakes ground in round five, 1974, than he is for playing in consecutive premierships for the Roosters in 1971-72.
"It's the big trivia question isn't it, who kicked the first goal at Football Park?,'' Hearl said.
"But I guess it's nice to be remembered for something.''
Hearl, now 65, booted an impressive 229 goals in 107 games for North from 1968-74.
A 185cm half-forward who says the Roosters' forward line was so good that he acted as "a decoy'' for triple Magarey Medallist Barrie Robran and burly full forward Dennis Sachse, Hearl's memories of the goal that made history against Central District are sketchy.
"I just remember taking a mark early in the first quarter and then going back and hooking onto a big screwy from about 50m and away she went,'' he said.
"It was all pretty casual and didn't feel like a big deal until the runner got into my ear.
"Now, all these years later, we're still talking about it.
"It's a good trivia question and I guess I achieved something no one else did.''
While Hearl booted the first goal at Football Park, the Bulldogs had the last laugh, winning the first clash 21.13 (139) to 16.13 (109).
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