We take a look through the Herald Sun archives to find some of the best footy pics from 1987

THIS weekend Carlton celebrates 30 years since its grand final victory over Hawthorn. So we’re taking a stroll down memory lane and looking at some of the best pics from 1987.

Justin Madden (right) prepares to land after being pushed in a pack featuring, from left, Gary Ayres, Peter Sartori, Paul Abbott and Chris Langford in a semi-final at VFL Park.

THIS weekend Carlton celebrates 30 years since its grand final victory over Hawthorn.

So we’re taking a stroll down memory lane and looking at some of the best pics from that season.

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Check them out — there’s plenty of familiar sights, and faces, from a year that saw the Blues beat the Hawks in the VFL decider, the infamous ‘Battle of Britain’, the birth of the Brisbane Bears and two of footy’s famous names tying for the Brwonlow Medal.

FRIDAY FLASHBACK — 1987 IN PICTURES

Mick Malthouse (right), then Footscray coach, watches the West Coast Eagles train at VFL Park in preparation for a pre-season clash.

Melbourne great Robbie Flower cools off under a sprinkler at training.

WELCOME, BRISBANE

1987 and the Brisbane Bears join the VFL. How good are the old logos?

The Bears run out for their inaugural clash in the VFL — against North Melbourne at the MCG. Brenton Phillips booted five goals as the newcomers beat the Kangas by 33 points.

THE SEASON

Channel 10s roving sports reporters Stephen Quartermain and Eddie McGuire prepare for a big year in football ... they haven’t changed a bit.

Neither has former VFL Media Director, turned Herald Sun footy writer Mike Sheahan.

Round 2 and Gary Ablett Snr was being, well, Gary Ablett Snr. But that wasn’t enough to stop the Brisbane Bears making it two from two to start their VFL journey.

Essendon stars Tim Watson, Paul van der Haar, Garry Foulds Roger Merrett and Mark Thompson visit the local milk bar (run by supporter Irene Clancy) for a treat.

The Wiz, Warwick Capper, took this speccy over Chris Langford in a qualifying final at Waverley. The Hawks smashed the Swans by 99 points.

North Melbourne’s Alastair Clarkson after kicking the winning goal against Melbourne — in his first game. We reckon this bloke will one day make a pretty good senior coach.

August and Tony Lockett celebrates his 100th goal. Plugger kicked 8.2 as the Saints beat Footscray by three points.

STATE OF ORIGIN

Dermott Brereton. Warwick Capper. Greg Williams and Wayne Johnston are among the faces as the Victorian team trains ahead of a State of Origin clash with South Australia.

Hawk John Platten (South Australia) tackles club teammate Brereton at Football Park.

Kick a Vic ... The South Australians celebrate their four-point win over Victoria. Some big names here, including Andrew Jarman, John Platten, Bruce Lindner, Craig Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Tony McGuinness and Chris McDermott.

THE DRAMATIC PRELIM

After Jim Stynes ran through the mark, Gary Buckenara received a 15m penalty and slotted the matchwinner after the siren. Here, the Hawks forward is helped off the ground by trainers.

Melbourne coach John Northey’s glare says it all as a despondent Stynes enters the change rooms. Picture: Wayne Ludbey/The Age.

A distraught Jim Stynes was in despair after the dramatic loss. Looks like Stephen Newport alongside the Irish champ.

A TIED BROWNLOW

St Kilda full forward Tony Lockett prays for votes late in the Brownlow Medal count.

’Plugger’ shows his joy after winning the Brownlow — shared with Hawks rover John Platten.

We’re not sure where this pic of Warwick Capper with then-girlfriend Joanne Norris was taken. What we do know is it’s a ripper. Pic Frank Violi.

Here’s to you, mate ... Platten and Lockett toast each other.

GRAND FINAL DAY

There’s few better sights in footy than the MCG on Grand Final day.

The Blues and hovercrafts have a long history ... here’s Daryl Somers, as part of the pre-match entertainment, before the 1987 Grand Final.

Carlton‘s Tom Alvin gets a kick away. Picture: CLIVE MACKINNON

Stephen Silvagni flies high in the Grand Final.

Victory ... Carlton captain Stephen Kernahan and coach Robert Walls with premiership cup. The Blues won 15.14 (104) to 9.17 (71). ‘Sticks’ and Craig Bradley booted three, with David Rhys-Jones earning the Norm Smith medal.

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

October and Carlton and the Kangas meet at The Oval. A young Alastair Clarkson strikes Ian Aitken in a fiery clash later known as the ‘Battle of Britain’.

Wayne Johnston retaliates with a strike on Clarkson.

The English crowd, and Aussie expats, loved the heated clash. Picture: AP