June 24, 1990 was hardly the best day on the ground for the VFL recruit from East Launceston, but by day's end it was probably his greatest.

Or at least equal to the day that Barwick also kicked two goals for Collingwood's first premiership later in the year after enduring a 32-year wait.

It was something Tasmanians could relate to since its last state win over a Big V was June 13, 1960 at York Park.

But the sacrifice this day at North Hobart Oval to get the state-of-origin side home that was forever intrinsically linked to his childhood idols did not go unnoticed.

Tasmanian coach Robert Shaw was simply effusive for his praise of the courageous half-forward flanker.

"Doug Barwick who, had come off concussed, came back on and gave us a lift when we needed it," he said soon after the 33-point win.

Barwick in his first of two Tasmanian appearances was running on adrenaline.

But it was the inspirational memories of his humbling NTFA beginnings that still triggers a special feeling deep inside 30 years to the day.

"I suppose it was probably elation, really," Barwick said.

"It was something I always wanted to do to play for Tassie.

"I remember watching my cousin Ian [Barwick] play as a 19-year-old in a Tasmanian team first.

"When I saw that, I thought that's what I want to do. So that win was just years and years in the making.

"I didn't think I was good enough to ever play VFL/AFL football, so I only set my sights to emulate my cousin."

Barwick felt that there was just something organic about that squad that day.

The names starred with the likes of Alistair Lynch, Darrin Pritchard, Graham Wright and the Gale brothers, but also many household names chiseling out an AFL career.

Just the two Tasmanians - North Launceston defender Todd Spearman and New Norfolk's Steven Byers - had never got the chance to play in the top league in the land.

Matthew Mansfield was to be drafted to Footscray the following year as was Danny Noonan to Brisbane Bears while Scott Wade had a brief stint at Hawthorn in 1981-83.

"We got better and better, and we got to a point in 1990 where we had a very good side, we were well coached and we had good leaders in that side," Barwick said.

"It was just a magic day and it was so good to get there, and fulfill a lifelong dream."

Confidence grew before a first whistle of the rematch.

A disastrous last-quarter fadeout in 1989 that resulted in a 56-point thrashing after leading at the final break had stirred up a number of the returning players looking to restore state pride in the Map.

That had been badly dented in 1988 after an insulted Tasmania was snubbed from the top flight of the bicentenary carnival, but then failed to reach the final in the division below to finish seventh place overall in the country.

The odds of an upset over Victoria seemed long, but no one told the Tasmanians.

"We were close enough [in 1989] and we felt like we were getting closer," Barwick said.

"We did a bit of training in Victoria and Shawy did a good job maintaining that momentum.

"When we got into Hobart with the quality of those players, you knew we would be a good chance, even though Victorian teams are always so hard to beat."

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Tasmania had shot out to a five-goal to one lead at the first break courtesy of a late long bomb from Barwick.

What Barwick recalled was the banter from Collingwood teammates Damian Monkhorst and Shane Kerrison lining up for the Vics against Wright, Colin Alexander and James Manson for the Map.

"Around the ground that day, Monky was gobbing off," Barwick said.

"One passage of play, Monky got the ball and kicked it out of bounds.

"From the forward flank, Wrighty took it, passed it to me and as I am going pass Monky, he is still gobbing off.

"So it was nice to be able to slot it that far out and let him know how his assessment was incorrect, let's just say."

The kick at goal has almost become folklore, measured out even further over the oval having 40-metre arcs and not a standard 50.

Barwick said: "I think you will find it was probably about 75 metres."

Victoria came back strong in the second quarter to lead by a point before Tasmania took control in the third term.

Only in front by 20 points, Barwick had strutted into the three-quarter time huddle feeling the game was won.

"I think about half way through that third quarter we started to really run the ball so confidently forward and we scored goals at will. We gave John McCarthy, Paul Hudson really good opportunities to score easy," he said.

"In that third quarter when we started to get on top, it was the first time ever I heard a Tasmanian crowd become really vocal.

"I played years and years of football in Tassie and really nobody said boo.

"You'd be at the ground and your dad might get a beep out of his horn at old York Park if you got a goal."

TASMANIA

5.4, 7.7, 12.10, 20.14.134

VICTORIA

1.3, 7.8, 8.14, 14.17.101

TASMANIA best players: Manson, Lynch, Wright, Alexander, Pritchard.

VICTORIA best players: Toohey, Kerrison, Ayres, Liberatore, Langford.

TASMANIA goalkickers: Alexander 4; McCarthy, Hudson, Fell 3; Barwick 2; Manson, Nichols, B.Gale, M.Gale, Wright.

VICTORIA goalkickers: Lyon 4; Toohey 3; Romero 2; Liberatore, Kerrison, Longmire, Monkhorst, Foster.

ATTENDANCE: 18,651 at the North Hobart Oval

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