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Standing:
R.Neuer,
T,Bulfon, W.Brake, P.Behrndt, (a fan), I.Martin (bending), S.Wedding,
D.Vivian, S.Ramsey, B.Bushby, P.Hansberry, M.Hamilton (Captain Coach),
C.Branolt, M.Noblett, M.Ding, R.Klavins, P.Hamilton, A.Stoodley
(obscured), R.Wedding, N.Rodda.
Front: B
Greenslade, A.Williams, D.Martin, B.Clements, B.Stewart (Head trainer),
S.Jones.
Absent: T.Bailey,
S.Bayley, P.Forrest, J.Fulford, S.Fowell, T.Harris, M.Kelly, J.Mann,
P.McAllister, D.Powell, G.Smith, D.Steinberg, P.Richards (Team Manager),
R.Sendy (Bench Coach), D.Clements (football director), J. Footer
(Time Keeper), J.Jackaman (Runner), I.Stewart (Asst. Team manager),
P.Christie (Club President).
Of
all the premierships that have been won
at our club, this was one of the sweetest. It was significant for
establishing the modern era in which the club now operates. A mix
of club stalwarts and fired up young Phantoms that would go on to
steer the club up the rankings, on the way to where we are today.
Never before or since has a Phantom A grade side been as successful,
finishing minor premiers with a 17 - 1 minor round tally.
However, they didn't have it all their own way, as their clashes
with a crackerjack Gepps Cross side are still spoken of fondly by
players and spectators alike.
With
a grand final loss against Gepps Cross in A4 in 1987, coach Mick
Hamilton's men consolidated its position in A3 in 1988 and with
a huge pre-season and some outstanding recruiting looked to 89 as
a big season.
A total of 37 players donned the blue and gold at A grade level
in 89. With the absence of a C grade side that year, competition
was hot just to get a game in the B grade. But PHOS had an unbelievable
club unity that season that saw the Phantoms tackle clubs with far
superior financial, supporter and player reserves and come out on
top, singing our song as we gathered momentum.
The club was like a magnet for supporters, and quite a few players
from other clubs would come to drink at PHOS and share the fun on
a Saturday night. Many of these players would later play for the
club.
The
minor round began with a narrow 5 point win away to Fitzroy
which was enjoyed immensely, as the trial game matches, although
very constructive were hardly successful. Followed by a good win
at home against danger side Burnside-Kensington and a come from
behind victory away to Adelaide Uni, The Phantoms would beat previously
undefeated Gepps Cross and Glenunga convincingly at home to consolidate
top position.
Undefeated after the first round of matches a shock narrow loss
away to Burnside Kensington dropped The Phantoms to 2nd position.
Gepps Cross with their attractive play had been absolutely flogging
sides left right and centre, and the pundits were hailing them as
outright favorites for the flag. Glenunga too were performing well
and also were well fancied for September honors.
The
turning point came during a very wet July as PHOS faced two
games on the road to their fiercest rivals for the season.
Gepps at Gepps was played in driving rain all day, neither side
giving an inch until The Phantoms turned the game on its head gaining
a 2 goal break at half time and then holding on for a landmark victory.
The oval was lined with cars, many with people inside watching the
match. While the PHOS B grade players and supporters stood in the
rain with loud vocal support for the players right until the bitter
end.
With almost all players at the club singing the victory song arm
and arm in the rain, it was obvious something very special was evolving.
Glenunga at Glenunga was played in quagmire conditions. The home
side's tactic was to intimidate the younger Phantoms with rough
and dirty play. The Phantoms of 89 stood up to the 'Ogres' and buried
them in their own mud. Again the day ended in Phantom song.
As the finals approached PHOS were well and truly 'on top' finishing
as minor premiers.
The
Phantoms were brought back to earth with a thud in the 2nd Semi
final, suffering a 6 goal drubbing at the hands of Gepps Cross.
The players were now aware that finals football was a different
ball game. Their best football had been superior all year and if
they were to fulfill their season goal, there was absolutely no
room for complacency.
The
Preliminary final against Glenunga at Kilburn Oval was to be
one of the finest performances by a Phantom side with their backs
against the wall. The Phantoms resolve was so strong that any dodgy
tactics from Glenunga were rendered useless after the first 15 minutes
as PHOS piled on 7 goals to none in the 1st quarter. As Glenunga
coach Warwick Cramey would concede, "Their ability to win the
hard ball off the ground and feed it out to their runners left us
flat footed". PHOS ran out victors by 74 points to launch the
club into A2 for the first time and set up a Grand final
showdown with Gepps Cross.
The
familiar surrounds of Norwood Oval was the scene for the
big one. As they did in the same arena in 87, Gepps Cross were expected
to win. However with their unrivaled team unity and self belief,
PHOS had nothing but victory etched in their minds. The Phantoms
faithful turned out in droves to urge on the PHOS juggernaut.
What was to take place over the next 100 minutes will go down in
Phantom folklore as one of the most exciting matches in which the
club has participated.
On
a balmy day, the final commenced at breakneck speed and didn't let
up all day. With the Hamilton brothers as fearsome as ever,
Michael Noblett dominating across half back and Tony Bulfon
lively up forward, PHOS edged out a 15 point lead by half time and
in a torrid 3rd quarter that margin was reduced to 6 points.
The scene was set for a thrilling last quarter and the big crowd
wasn't let down. At the 7 minute mark Gepps Cross hit the lead and
looked to have the ascendancy. A couple of vital centre clearances
saw The Phantoms again take control and wrestle back the lead with
a couple of goals to 'Big' Col Branolt and Peter Behrndt.
The never say die Gepps unit again hit back to reduce the margin
to less than a goal as the match entered the time on period. The
final minutes of the match were played at ten tenths. As Neil
Rodda and Andrew Williams again contrived to send the
Phantoms forward from the centre bounce, Gepps gained possession
deep in their defensive 50 to set up an attacking thrust down the
outer side. Some inspirational play on the last line of defence
from Steve 'Psycho' Wedding and Andrew Stoodley saw
PHOS rebound those final threats on goal. And when Martin Ding
burst through a pack of Gepps players to force the ball over the
line on the grandstand side, the siren sounded and the premiership
belonged to The Phantoms.
The euphoria that followed was sensational as the club celebrated
a historic victory as one.
Full credit goes to Michael Hamilton who, as a playing coach
led by example, instilled a positive thinking philosophy, an attacking
game plan and physical and mental toughness into his players. When
it came to the crunch the Phantoms were well prepared to seize the
moment and march on to glory.
The final score;
PHOS 13.12 (90)
Gepps 12.13 (85)
Best: Steve Wedding, Michael Noblett, Martin Ding, Peter Hamilton,
Andrew Williams, Tony Bulfon, Neil Rodda, Scott Ramsey.
Goals: Peter Behrndt, Tony Bulfon 3, Colin Branolt, Peter Hamilton
2 , Bruce Clements, Darren Martin, David Vivian
Club
awards:
Best and Fairest: Michael Noblett
Runner up: Peter Hamilton
Most Consistent: Andrew Williams
Best Team Man: Scott Ramsey
Leading Goalkicker: Colin Branolt
Most Improved: Paul Hansberry
Coach's Trophy: Martin Ding
Best
and fairest votes:
Michael Noblett (56)
Peter Hamilton (46) Runner up in Association medal by 1 vote (26)
Andrew Williams (36)
State
Representatives:
Darren Martin and Peter Hamilton
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