The day Tasmania humbled the Big V in their State of Origin clash at North Hobart Oval

On the 30th anniversary of Tasmania’s State of Origin triumph over Victoria at North Hobart Oval, JAMES BRESNEHAN looks back at the great day – and the kid who became captain.

1990 Football State of Origin match Tasmania versus Victoria – Tasmanian captain Darrin Pritchard was the most prolific ball-winner on the day, gets his kick away.

WHEN Darrin Pritchard was knee-high to a Sherrin, his parents would take him to see Tasmania play Victoria and he marvelled at the heroes he would see on TV.

Little did Pritchard know he would become one of those heroes for a new generation of Tassie kids the day he led Tasmania to victory over the Big V in their now legendary State of Origin match in front of 18,651 spectators at North Hobart Oval in 1990 — 30 years ago this weekend.

“The thing I remember most is walking into the ground and a realisation about what it really meant for the people of Tassie,” Pritchard said.

“Walking to the rooms and talking to people as you come through the gate and just seeing how excited they were about the game was pretty huge.

• PART ONE: The day Tasmania humbled the Big V in their State of Origin clash at North Hobart Oval
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Tasmanian captain Darrin Pritchard in action.

“Through the course of warming up, we could see almost 19,000 people crammed into North Hobart. It was pretty intense compared to some of the crowds when I was playing for Sandy Bay in the state league.

“The noise in that little arena was pretty amazing and after the game the elation and noise and the state after we won the game.”

Tasmania sprang out of the blocks, leading 34-9 at quarter-time, but by half-time the star-studded Victorians had fought back to lead by a point.

It took 10 minutes for Tasmania to make an impact in the second half, thanks to a freakish mark by Colin Alexander, who converted with a goal.

Tasmanian Colin Alexander chased by Victoria’s Stevie Wright.

Veteran Bulldog Peter Foster took it back a few minutes later and the clock went into time-on before Tasmanian Graeme Wright marked in the same spot as Doug Barwick launched his legendary torpedo goal in the opening term, but his Collingwood teammate nailed it with a drop-punt.

A Shane Fell one-handed mark and goal against Hawthorn full-back Chris Langford, followed by majors to Barwick and Tiger Brendon Gale sent the home team to the final break up by 20 — Tasmania 12.10 (82) to Victoria 8.14 (62).

It was party time for the locals in the final term as they piled on eight goals.

John McCarthy started the festivities with two in a row. The Victorians knew they were in trouble and coach David Parkin swung the changes.

It had an immediate impact as the Vics surged forward for consecutive goals by Bulldog Tony Liberatore and Kangaroo Brett Allison.

It took Tassie backman Michael Gale’s goal to steady the ship, and four of the next six goals were Tasmania’s as McCarthy kicked his third of the term, Paul Hudson two, and singles by Colin Alexander and Nichols put the contest to bed — etched into Tasmanian football folklore and the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame with the 20.14 (134) to Victoria 14.17 (101) win.

Tasmanian forward Paul Hudson kicked two goals in the final term.

“When the siren went, the feeling was one of relief because we’d had an expectation as a group that we were going to do well,” Pritchard said.

“I also remember roar of the crowd and the interactions with the other players like Gary Ayres, Chris Langford and Paul Dear, who were my Hawthorn teammates, shaking their hand and celebrating with our guys.

Tasmanian ruckman James Manson was voted best afield and Pritchard was a close second. Alastair Lynch was outstanding at full-back, where he had that year’s Coleman Medallist John Longmire dragged and then sent to the backline.

Alexander kicked four goals for Tasmania and Fell, Hudson and McCarthy three each.

“I used to be really excited as a kid to watch those games and see the Tassie guys roll out and some of the legends who I’d watch on TV,” Pritchard said.

“To then be captain of the side that ran out and eventually won, it is one of my best memories from football and I’m very proud of that.”