Just wondering for those of you who were there, and seeing as its the off-season, could you give us a rundown of the match? More to do with the atmosphere and you're feelings through the match, especially late in the 3rd quarter and early in the 4th.
I have seen the match over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, but just wondering how you guys felt at 3/4 time, when Baker snapped the first goal, when Curran kicked the goal to give the Hawks back the lead and when Merrett took the mark in the goalsquare behind Burne and Mew?
No rush, just whenever you guys get a few minutes. That was one game I really wish I was at.
1984 GF vs Hawthorn
I was a complete nervous wreck for 3 quarters. It all began in the first 5 minutes of the match. The HORROR of 1983 still burned in my heart and was throbbing in my head. When Hawthron piled on 4 quick early goals I thought "oh f*** no, not AGAIN!!!". We settled down halfway through the 1st quarter but never seemed able to put the score on the board. I cursed every missed goal. I cursed that Paul Salmon was sitting in the stands with a busted knee. I cursed Hawthorn every time they had the ball.
We appeared to control most of the 3rd quarter but made no inroads on the scoreboard. I was absolutely on edge at 3Q time. I couldn't keep still. I was literally shaking like a leaf - and not just because it was F****** freezing cold either. So many scenarios passed through my head during the break....."if only we get the first goal"......."what if Leigh Matthews gets knocked out"........"what am I gonna do if we F****** lose again?"
I was completely tensed when they bounced the ball at the start of the last quarter. Within a flash the ball was in our forward line and Baker swooped and kicked a ripper. I pumped my fist and jumped 20 feet in the air. I did the Lleyton Hewitt "C'MOOOOOOOOOON!!". The ball was darting around after the next bounce until Neagle grabbed it and ran the flank and kicked to a contest - Bradbury at the back of the pack marked and ran into the open goal - 11 points down. More pumping of fist, more jumps and louder yells of "C'MOOOOOOOOOON!!!!" I was getting very anxious - looking at the clock, looking at the play, looking at the clock, so on and so on. Bomber Thompson marked 30 metres out. I was shaking nervously - I don't know how Bomber felt! BANG - goal, 5 points down. This was when I started to think we could actually win this.
The next bit of play will forever live in my memory as the most euphoric moment following Essendon - it may not have been the clincher, but it was enormously inspiring. Williams kicks it out of the middle deep into the forward line, Baker does his blind turn and run into an open goal - BANG, we're up by a point!!! I lost my voice and I almost lost control of my bladder. My heart was racing. Could we stay in front? My mind was all over the place - "we can win this"...."it's not over yet"....."what if they get the next goal?".........Walsh gets knocked out and there's a big delay. I thought it would stop our momentum. Not long after the re-start, Daniher gives away a dumb 15 metre penalty to Curran and he kicks a gaol to put them back in front........"f***!!!!!!!!"
Roger Merrett had come on to replace Walsh, and it was he who marked in the goal square from a weird torp from Vander Haar. Back in front!!!! Again I was madly looking at the clock, looking at the play, looking at the clock, virtually shitting bricks every time Hawthorn had possession. But then it happened - the avalanche. Weston kicks a goal. Watson kicks two more. And then I felt relief. My anxiety had ceased. The players new they had it won. I was thinking this is the greatest moment in my life. And when Neagle ran the wing and forward flank to kick a whopper I just laughed. All that pain and trauma I went through 12 months prior had just been exorcised out of my body then and there. I was a shattered soul in '83, but the euphoria I felt when the siren went is indescribable. It felt like I was walking in the clouds. The next day I walked from East Keilor to Windy Hill and joined in the celebrations. The feeling was pure magic.
I could have spent more time explaining it better, but I'm a tad tired.
We appeared to control most of the 3rd quarter but made no inroads on the scoreboard. I was absolutely on edge at 3Q time. I couldn't keep still. I was literally shaking like a leaf - and not just because it was F****** freezing cold either. So many scenarios passed through my head during the break....."if only we get the first goal"......."what if Leigh Matthews gets knocked out"........"what am I gonna do if we F****** lose again?"
I was completely tensed when they bounced the ball at the start of the last quarter. Within a flash the ball was in our forward line and Baker swooped and kicked a ripper. I pumped my fist and jumped 20 feet in the air. I did the Lleyton Hewitt "C'MOOOOOOOOOON!!". The ball was darting around after the next bounce until Neagle grabbed it and ran the flank and kicked to a contest - Bradbury at the back of the pack marked and ran into the open goal - 11 points down. More pumping of fist, more jumps and louder yells of "C'MOOOOOOOOOON!!!!" I was getting very anxious - looking at the clock, looking at the play, looking at the clock, so on and so on. Bomber Thompson marked 30 metres out. I was shaking nervously - I don't know how Bomber felt! BANG - goal, 5 points down. This was when I started to think we could actually win this.
The next bit of play will forever live in my memory as the most euphoric moment following Essendon - it may not have been the clincher, but it was enormously inspiring. Williams kicks it out of the middle deep into the forward line, Baker does his blind turn and run into an open goal - BANG, we're up by a point!!! I lost my voice and I almost lost control of my bladder. My heart was racing. Could we stay in front? My mind was all over the place - "we can win this"...."it's not over yet"....."what if they get the next goal?".........Walsh gets knocked out and there's a big delay. I thought it would stop our momentum. Not long after the re-start, Daniher gives away a dumb 15 metre penalty to Curran and he kicks a gaol to put them back in front........"f***!!!!!!!!"
Roger Merrett had come on to replace Walsh, and it was he who marked in the goal square from a weird torp from Vander Haar. Back in front!!!! Again I was madly looking at the clock, looking at the play, looking at the clock, virtually shitting bricks every time Hawthorn had possession. But then it happened - the avalanche. Weston kicks a goal. Watson kicks two more. And then I felt relief. My anxiety had ceased. The players new they had it won. I was thinking this is the greatest moment in my life. And when Neagle ran the wing and forward flank to kick a whopper I just laughed. All that pain and trauma I went through 12 months prior had just been exorcised out of my body then and there. I was a shattered soul in '83, but the euphoria I felt when the siren went is indescribable. It felt like I was walking in the clouds. The next day I walked from East Keilor to Windy Hill and joined in the celebrations. The feeling was pure magic.
I could have spent more time explaining it better, but I'm a tad tired.
Essendunny
-
billyduckworth
- Club Captain
- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:16 am
- Location: Adelaide
I shall never forget 84 as long as I live. Definitely my best ever moment in footy.
Just like you, Benny, I remember the heartbreak of 83 playing heavily on my mind. Also, in the semi final in 84 we had basically outplayed Hawthorn all day and yet still lost narrowly, thanks to some arsey goals by Dipper and of course lots of the usual iffy umpiring decisions that went against us.
Getting close in that semi gave us hope but then again made me worry that no matter what we did we just couldn't beat Hawthorn. They had the wood on us.
The game initially looked like a dead set repeat of 83 - bullshit free kick to Hawthorn in the opening seconds, they piled on a couple of goals. Oh no - here we go again.
Then the second and third quarters we matched them but couldn't make up any ground on the scoreboard. One part of me is thinking oh well at least we're not going to get crapped on like last year but another part of me is annoyed that we just seem destined NEVER to beat these bastards. At that stage, I worked with one of the Hawthorn players and so I wasn't looking forward to facing him on Monday.
Unlike Benny, I don't really remember the exact details of the last quarter - who kicked what goal etc - I think I was so excited and emotional that it all became a blur. I just remember Weston going down to the forward line, Vander doing amazing things as per usual and that amazing inspirational goal by Baker.
When Walsh was knocked out I thought oh no this is a deliberate tactic by them to stop our momentum. Again, the feeling was, no matter what we do, we just can't beat these mongrels.
But then we did beat them. I remember TD had the ball in his hands when the siren went (appropriate as the captain). He just threw the pill a mile in the air in celebration. The whole crowd around me went completely beserk. It was like a community orgasm.
As the players' names were read out one by one to receive their medals, we all screamed our heads off. Every single one of them was a hero. All the pain of losing in 1983, of making the elimination final several times under Sheedy, Davis and even back to Tuddy's days came flooding out. I was barely out of nappies when we last won a premiership (1965), so it had been a long wait.
Then they announced that Billy Duckworth had won the NSM. He was my favourite player, so it was just too much. Orgasm went up to multiple orgasm level. It was the most perfect day of my life. EVERYTHING was going right. Thank you, God.
Sorry I can't remember exact details of the play - Benny has done that very well, so I'm concentrating on the emotions. Hope it is of some interest to somebody out there.
It's amazing but even after all these years, I am getting quite excited now typing out the story again.
After the game, I met my mate outside (we didn't sit together - can't remember why - probably something to do with allocation of tickets in those days). We were both jumping up and down and going crazy. We caught the Broady train home. It was packed with Bomber supporters, all going spastic. Complete strangers were hugging each other. I remember saying to my mate, "we're pissed" and yet actually we hadn't had a solitary drink (didn't drink at the footy in those days - left the drinking until after the game). But it felt like being drunk. It was just such a high.
That night we did get into the booze. My memories of that part are pretty hazy (for obvious reasons). I just remember two things - (1) someone had taped the game (I think VCRs had just been invented) and we kept watching the first 5 minutes of the last quarter OVER AND OVER AGAIN. We didn't get sick of it. (2) at one stage I staggered out to the back yard and ran imaginary laps of honour around the garden, tearing large chunks of trees off their limbs and throwing them over the neighbour's fence with excitement.
The next day we all went to Windy Hill. Don't know who was more hungover - us or the players. I remember a very young Mark Harvey looking much the worse for wear. Vander was still drinking. The atmosphere was still electric - like the final siren had only just gone.
Ah, wonderful memories.
(P.S. I really enjoyed seeing my Hawthorn colleague at work on Monday - even wore my Essendon scarf ALL DAY at work!!!)
Just like you, Benny, I remember the heartbreak of 83 playing heavily on my mind. Also, in the semi final in 84 we had basically outplayed Hawthorn all day and yet still lost narrowly, thanks to some arsey goals by Dipper and of course lots of the usual iffy umpiring decisions that went against us.
Getting close in that semi gave us hope but then again made me worry that no matter what we did we just couldn't beat Hawthorn. They had the wood on us.
The game initially looked like a dead set repeat of 83 - bullshit free kick to Hawthorn in the opening seconds, they piled on a couple of goals. Oh no - here we go again.
Then the second and third quarters we matched them but couldn't make up any ground on the scoreboard. One part of me is thinking oh well at least we're not going to get crapped on like last year but another part of me is annoyed that we just seem destined NEVER to beat these bastards. At that stage, I worked with one of the Hawthorn players and so I wasn't looking forward to facing him on Monday.
Unlike Benny, I don't really remember the exact details of the last quarter - who kicked what goal etc - I think I was so excited and emotional that it all became a blur. I just remember Weston going down to the forward line, Vander doing amazing things as per usual and that amazing inspirational goal by Baker.
When Walsh was knocked out I thought oh no this is a deliberate tactic by them to stop our momentum. Again, the feeling was, no matter what we do, we just can't beat these mongrels.
But then we did beat them. I remember TD had the ball in his hands when the siren went (appropriate as the captain). He just threw the pill a mile in the air in celebration. The whole crowd around me went completely beserk. It was like a community orgasm.
As the players' names were read out one by one to receive their medals, we all screamed our heads off. Every single one of them was a hero. All the pain of losing in 1983, of making the elimination final several times under Sheedy, Davis and even back to Tuddy's days came flooding out. I was barely out of nappies when we last won a premiership (1965), so it had been a long wait.
Then they announced that Billy Duckworth had won the NSM. He was my favourite player, so it was just too much. Orgasm went up to multiple orgasm level. It was the most perfect day of my life. EVERYTHING was going right. Thank you, God.
Sorry I can't remember exact details of the play - Benny has done that very well, so I'm concentrating on the emotions. Hope it is of some interest to somebody out there.
It's amazing but even after all these years, I am getting quite excited now typing out the story again.
After the game, I met my mate outside (we didn't sit together - can't remember why - probably something to do with allocation of tickets in those days). We were both jumping up and down and going crazy. We caught the Broady train home. It was packed with Bomber supporters, all going spastic. Complete strangers were hugging each other. I remember saying to my mate, "we're pissed" and yet actually we hadn't had a solitary drink (didn't drink at the footy in those days - left the drinking until after the game). But it felt like being drunk. It was just such a high.
That night we did get into the booze. My memories of that part are pretty hazy (for obvious reasons). I just remember two things - (1) someone had taped the game (I think VCRs had just been invented) and we kept watching the first 5 minutes of the last quarter OVER AND OVER AGAIN. We didn't get sick of it. (2) at one stage I staggered out to the back yard and ran imaginary laps of honour around the garden, tearing large chunks of trees off their limbs and throwing them over the neighbour's fence with excitement.
The next day we all went to Windy Hill. Don't know who was more hungover - us or the players. I remember a very young Mark Harvey looking much the worse for wear. Vander was still drinking. The atmosphere was still electric - like the final siren had only just gone.
Ah, wonderful memories.
(P.S. I really enjoyed seeing my Hawthorn colleague at work on Monday - even wore my Essendon scarf ALL DAY at work!!!)
Great stuff guys.
I was at the game as a 8 year old with Mum and Dad. Don't remember a heap of the game. It's a blur. I do remember my Dad going nuts in the last quarter and the entire Essendon crowd going nuts.
You can download a podcast of the last quarters ABC call. I have that in my IPod and it gets a run every now and then.
I was at the game as a 8 year old with Mum and Dad. Don't remember a heap of the game. It's a blur. I do remember my Dad going nuts in the last quarter and the entire Essendon crowd going nuts.
You can download a podcast of the last quarters ABC call. I have that in my IPod and it gets a run every now and then.
-
billyduckworth
- Club Captain
- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:16 am
- Location: Adelaide
Your comment about ipods, Bert, reminds me of the 1985 GF.
85 of course was a totally different kettle of fish from 84. We dominated the competition so much that year we were just EXPECTED to win. My footy mate and myself developed a kind of routine during the season. When we got far enough ahead, usually on the Hill at Windy Hill, one of us would turn to the other and ask, "what are we doing?". The other one would reply, "we're SHIIIIITING on them!" Sometimes this call would be made at 3/4 time but it some games we were already doing it in the first quarter, such was our dominance that year.
I think I went to just about every home & away game in 85 (no interstate nonsense then), but I was overseas during the finals. We didn't have ipods or any of that fancy stuff then, but my friends in Australia sent me a cassette tape (does anyone remember what they were?) of the 3KZ call of the game with "the Captain and the Major". I still have that tape hidden away somewhere in a drawer. Can't bring myself to chuck it out.
They also sent me a video recording of the game. It took months to reach me and got held up by customs (I was working in China then), who suspected it might be porno. Eventually, we pulled a few strings, got the tape cleared by customs and I ended up watching it about November. Although the moment was well and truly passed by then, it was still enjoyable to see us beating those Hawthorn mongrels. Only regret was we didn't beat their record margin from 83. It would have been nice to erase that totally.
P.S. I watched the video on a giant screen in the uni I was working at in China (surprising they had that technology then). I invited any Chinese people who wanted to watch to come along too. A few of the PE department came. They loved the bash and crash style of the game (it was the 80s!!) but of course couldn't understand a thing of the rules. I tried explaining to them but there just aren't the Chinese words to translate terms like "bloody white maggots!".
85 of course was a totally different kettle of fish from 84. We dominated the competition so much that year we were just EXPECTED to win. My footy mate and myself developed a kind of routine during the season. When we got far enough ahead, usually on the Hill at Windy Hill, one of us would turn to the other and ask, "what are we doing?". The other one would reply, "we're SHIIIIITING on them!" Sometimes this call would be made at 3/4 time but it some games we were already doing it in the first quarter, such was our dominance that year.
I think I went to just about every home & away game in 85 (no interstate nonsense then), but I was overseas during the finals. We didn't have ipods or any of that fancy stuff then, but my friends in Australia sent me a cassette tape (does anyone remember what they were?) of the 3KZ call of the game with "the Captain and the Major". I still have that tape hidden away somewhere in a drawer. Can't bring myself to chuck it out.
They also sent me a video recording of the game. It took months to reach me and got held up by customs (I was working in China then), who suspected it might be porno. Eventually, we pulled a few strings, got the tape cleared by customs and I ended up watching it about November. Although the moment was well and truly passed by then, it was still enjoyable to see us beating those Hawthorn mongrels. Only regret was we didn't beat their record margin from 83. It would have been nice to erase that totally.
P.S. I watched the video on a giant screen in the uni I was working at in China (surprising they had that technology then). I invited any Chinese people who wanted to watch to come along too. A few of the PE department came. They loved the bash and crash style of the game (it was the 80s!!) but of course couldn't understand a thing of the rules. I tried explaining to them but there just aren't the Chinese words to translate terms like "bloody white maggots!".
Ahhhhh!!! 1984 The last quarter of all quarters. The spark was Williams out of the centre fed by the Prince of ruckmen, S. Maddern. The definitive moment when my man, sheparded by Vanda, blind turns and puts us in front. This is still to me the biggest moment in footbal I have ever experienced. The agony of '83, the torment of nothing since '65, the lost decade of the '70's and all of a sudden, having thought that we had blown another one, we are in front.
I was standing on the steps in front of the old smoker's stand. It was as if we were playing at Windy Hill. There was little support for the hawks in the members and the place went off in the biggest way possible. What followed was the most agonising 10 or 15 monutes of my life, especially when TD toed the ball away, given Cullen 15m and a shot on goal which he nailed putting them back in front.
At this stage I really felt sick, as mass depression overtook me and all around me. Had we fired off our best shot?? Enter stage left, Big Roger. Vander has the ball after a juggled mark on the member's forward flank. He kicks a real corkscrew of a torp which is moving sideways at an alarming rate. I am right behind the kick and it looks like it is going through. A wall of Hawks fly. Almost like the parting of the Red Sea, they seperate and Roger who was toally unsighted, stands tall and takes a one grabber on the goal line. The roar that went up suppassed Baker's goal.
The rest is a blur. Jeans sends out Dipper to stop the rot and within a minute he has hit Walshy with the biggest forearm you will ever see. (he beat the rap, as he had been reported for hitting him with an elbow!!) In any case, Walsh is out for the count.
I remember visions of Timmy kicking two superb goas on the run, Weston sneaking in for one and the piece de resistance, Merv slotting one from the outer flank on the run. The final feeling that we had it surpasses all other sensations and the skipper rightly so ends up with the pill at the siren.
I have seen a shit load of footy since then, but that game and those moments will stay with me forever as the pinnacle of my experiences following the Dons.
I was standing on the steps in front of the old smoker's stand. It was as if we were playing at Windy Hill. There was little support for the hawks in the members and the place went off in the biggest way possible. What followed was the most agonising 10 or 15 monutes of my life, especially when TD toed the ball away, given Cullen 15m and a shot on goal which he nailed putting them back in front.
At this stage I really felt sick, as mass depression overtook me and all around me. Had we fired off our best shot?? Enter stage left, Big Roger. Vander has the ball after a juggled mark on the member's forward flank. He kicks a real corkscrew of a torp which is moving sideways at an alarming rate. I am right behind the kick and it looks like it is going through. A wall of Hawks fly. Almost like the parting of the Red Sea, they seperate and Roger who was toally unsighted, stands tall and takes a one grabber on the goal line. The roar that went up suppassed Baker's goal.
The rest is a blur. Jeans sends out Dipper to stop the rot and within a minute he has hit Walshy with the biggest forearm you will ever see. (he beat the rap, as he had been reported for hitting him with an elbow!!) In any case, Walsh is out for the count.
I remember visions of Timmy kicking two superb goas on the run, Weston sneaking in for one and the piece de resistance, Merv slotting one from the outer flank on the run. The final feeling that we had it surpasses all other sensations and the skipper rightly so ends up with the pill at the siren.
I have seen a shit load of footy since then, but that game and those moments will stay with me forever as the pinnacle of my experiences following the Dons.
Too far for Baker now he's on to it, now he’s got it, OPEN GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dons are in front by one point at the 8 minute mark
-
billyduckworth
- Club Captain
- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:16 am
- Location: Adelaide
-
Essendon4eva
- High Draft Pick
- Posts: 868
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:37 pm
Every preimership is special. Some just rank a bit better than others. You don't get much better than come from behind premiership victories - considering the annihilation the previous year. Even though '83 was a disaster, the team made the Grand Final from the Elimination Final - and no-one realistically expected us to win. Had we won '83 with that fact, then yeah, '83 would have been a miracle win and a super special one. The other fact is that we (well I) had followed Essendon through the mediocre 70's, so to watch our team develop into a dynamic team which reached the ultinate glory is a special feeling. 1985 was a special victory also - it demonstrated that out club was the most dominant and most feared club in the competition, and their display to annihilate the most successful team through the 80's was proof positive. There was an arrogance and confidence about '85, while '84 was living in hope that they will achieve.Essendon4eva wrote:I've got a question for you guys. Would have 1984' been so special if we had won in 1983?
Don't know if I've answered the question, but for me, every damn flag is special.
Essendunny
I think he meant in ranking points. Like you said every premiership is sprecial, but some are very special and some are just special.BenDoolan wrote:Every preimership is special. Some just rank a bit better than others. You don't get much better than come from behind premiership victories - considering the annihilation the previous year. Even though '83 was a disaster, the team made the Grand Final from the Elimination Final - and no-one realistically expected us to win. Had we won '83 with that fact, then yeah, '83 would have been a miracle win and a super special one. The other fact is that we (well I) had followed Essendon through the mediocre 70's, so to watch our team develop into a dynamic team which reached the ultinate glory is a special feeling. 1985 was a special victory also - it demonstrated that out club was the most dominant and most feared club in the competition, and their display to annihilate the most successful team through the 80's was proof positive. There was an arrogance and confidence about '85, while '84 was living in hope that they will achieve.Essendon4eva wrote:I've got a question for you guys. Would have 1984' been so special if we had won in 1983?
Don't know if I've answered the question, but for me, every damn flag is special.
Looking back, winning 2000 meant alot more than if we had won 1999 (and not won 2000).
I guess not. After all, we had not won a flag sine '65 so 19 years was a hell of a long time to wait, and similar to BD, I suffered through the '70's as well which was not pleasant. (you reckon we are going through a bad trot now!!!) So '84 was very special.Essendon4eva wrote:I've got a question for you guys. Would have 1984' been so special if we had won in 1983?
It would have been similar to the invincible feeling of '85 which was similar to 2000. It was not so much that you were going to win, but by how far. 1985 was the first time I can recall sitting back in the last quarter knowing we had it won. A feeling I would not experience until 2000. As Bennie said, you treasure them all and never take them for granted
Too far for Baker now he's on to it, now he’s got it, OPEN GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dons are in front by one point at the 8 minute mark
-
billyduckworth
- Club Captain
- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:16 am
- Location: Adelaide
I agree with Benny and rockhole. 1985 was pretty similar to 2000 - really just a question of how far.
1984 was very special for three reasons:
(1) no premiership since 1965; very unsuccessful 1970s - yes, I can still remember that only too well
(2) the thrashing we received in the 1983 grand final and the feeling that Hawthorn were somehow invincible
(3) the fact that we came from 4 goals down at 3/4 time
Because of factor (3), I think you will find that many non-Essendon fans also rate 1984 quite highly as a grand final - up there with 1989 when Geelong almost knocked off Hawthorn from behind.
My next question - how does 1993 compare with all of these? It was one that kind of came out of the blue - where 1985 and 2000 were expected (or even overdue in the case of 2000), and 1984 was long awaited.
Even though 1993 came out of the blue and there was the pain of losing to dud Collingwood in 1990 still fresh in our memories, I think I remember being quite confident about 1993 (on the day, that is). Maybe it was because we were playing Carlton - in those days (as distinct from now!!!) we really had the wood on them.
1984 was very special for three reasons:
(1) no premiership since 1965; very unsuccessful 1970s - yes, I can still remember that only too well
(2) the thrashing we received in the 1983 grand final and the feeling that Hawthorn were somehow invincible
(3) the fact that we came from 4 goals down at 3/4 time
Because of factor (3), I think you will find that many non-Essendon fans also rate 1984 quite highly as a grand final - up there with 1989 when Geelong almost knocked off Hawthorn from behind.
My next question - how does 1993 compare with all of these? It was one that kind of came out of the blue - where 1985 and 2000 were expected (or even overdue in the case of 2000), and 1984 was long awaited.
Even though 1993 came out of the blue and there was the pain of losing to dud Collingwood in 1990 still fresh in our memories, I think I remember being quite confident about 1993 (on the day, that is). Maybe it was because we were playing Carlton - in those days (as distinct from now!!!) we really had the wood on them.
'93 was interesting. Throughout the year, I sort of expected the kids to "drop off" and we'd stumble in September. The Qualifying Final was a great match v Carlton. We had so many regular guys out for that game yet we only lost by 2 points. We followed up by beating the reigning premier West Coast by 32 points in the 1st Semi Final. I went to the Preliminary full of confidence, thinking we would just push Adelaide aside. The team must have thought the same thing, and found themselves 42 points down at half time. The Great Escape was lead by the sensational Michael Long and the dead eye dick Darren Bewick. That win was absolutely sensational, just inspirational, magical stuff. I reckon that game just sits behind the 1984 Grand Final victory. I knew they'd go on and win the flag after that. I don't know why, but I just knew. We drew against Carlton earlier in the year. Beat them by 21 points towards the end of the year and went down by 2 points with half a side in the QF.billyduckworth wrote: My next question - how does 1993 compare with all of these? It was one that kind of came out of the blue - where 1985 and 2000 were expected (or even overdue in the case of 2000), and 1984 was long awaited.
Even though 1993 came out of the blue and there was the pain of losing to dud Collingwood in 1990 still fresh in our memories, I think I remember being quite confident about 1993 (on the day, that is). Maybe it was because we were playing Carlton - in those days (as distinct from now!!!) we really had the wood on them.
This premiership was a f***'n super special moment. Can anything be better than beating a pack of arseholes in Carlton on the biggest stage? Especially with a bunch of kids! I loved the atmosphere. I loved the shit stirring. And I loved rubbing it in. It was absolutely satifying watching that prick Williams lose the Brownlow Medal and lose the Grand Final. I went to school and was in the same class as Mark Athorn - he looked ridiculous GF day. I knew Rohan Welsh and was in the same primary school class as his brother David (and worked with him at Ansett). I was in a fight with Matthew Hogg when we were about 11 years old. 1993 was a very special time for me. I used to frequent the Essendon Social Club after match days and mix with the players. I really felt part of the whole thing that year. The greatest visual memory I have is being in the Social Club Grand Final night drinking and waiting for the heroes to return. There was an enormous erruption of cheering when the players arrived holding Michael Long on their shoulders, and him holding the premiership cup aloft. Everyone went up and patted him on the back (it was like patting a brick wall!). Soaking up the glory with the players is a marvellous memory that I will always have.
Essendunny
I wasn't around '84, but my Dad says he was shattered at 3/4 time. He truely believed we were dead and buried due to the Dawks have the wood on us. His mate (A Dogs supporter) though was the total opposite. He'd been telling Dad all day that he was a lucky prick to see his side win a flag, even after the Hawks got the first early flurry.
Essendon Football Club- We arent arrogant, just deluded.
-
billyduckworth
- Club Captain
- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:16 am
- Location: Adelaide
Interesing observation, boncer. Legend has it that Sheedy muttered "we've got 'em" or something to that effect as he walked to the 3/4 time huddle, loud enough for some Hawks players to hear. If it's true, sounds like a very risky ploy to me - could so easily have backfired.
Anyway, if Sheedy felt confident I certainly didn't. I was the same as your Dad - worried no matter what he did we just couldn't beat Hawthorn (who remained my most hated team for many years afterwards).
Anyway, if Sheedy felt confident I certainly didn't. I was the same as your Dad - worried no matter what he did we just couldn't beat Hawthorn (who remained my most hated team for many years afterwards).
After the 42 point comeback against Adelaide in the prelim, I thought that we could walk on water. It was not unil 2000 that I had a similar feeling. I simply could not see us losing against Carlton especially when they matched up Longy with the most inept finals player I have ever seen. (BD's old schoolmate, Athorne)
When Wally put Hanna into the following decade, Carlton looked gone and in fact were. Its funny, but were I can recall almost every minute of the '84 flag, the '93 is more a blur. Old age, I guess.
When Wally put Hanna into the following decade, Carlton looked gone and in fact were. Its funny, but were I can recall almost every minute of the '84 flag, the '93 is more a blur. Old age, I guess.
Too far for Baker now he's on to it, now he’s got it, OPEN GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dons are in front by one point at the 8 minute mark
Just watched the game last night (after receiving my new 5 DVD Premiership Pack) and made a few interesting observations.
If that game was played in todays world, 90% of the players from both teams would be missing a major amount of the following season. Head high tackles, deliberate attempts at tripping, full blown punches being thrown, players being put down way after they had disposed of the ball...the list goes on.
This game showcased the two clearly superior teams of the time and yet their disposal often made the likes of Jobe and Kepler look good....mongrel punts, short passes that missed targets by 5-10 metres, looping hospital handballs, handballs behind the target.
Having said that, I still would prefer footy to head back towards that type of game. It was tough, uncompromising stuff and although some of the rough tactics are better gone from the game, I think that the current game has been sanitised way too much.
Listening to the commentators was a hoot as they weren't intent on picking up players for being too rough...in fact they often queried free kicks that today would almost be reportable offences.
And then of course there was that magnificent last quarter....god, I love watching that.
My all time favourite game.
If that game was played in todays world, 90% of the players from both teams would be missing a major amount of the following season. Head high tackles, deliberate attempts at tripping, full blown punches being thrown, players being put down way after they had disposed of the ball...the list goes on.
This game showcased the two clearly superior teams of the time and yet their disposal often made the likes of Jobe and Kepler look good....mongrel punts, short passes that missed targets by 5-10 metres, looping hospital handballs, handballs behind the target.
Having said that, I still would prefer footy to head back towards that type of game. It was tough, uncompromising stuff and although some of the rough tactics are better gone from the game, I think that the current game has been sanitised way too much.
Listening to the commentators was a hoot as they weren't intent on picking up players for being too rough...in fact they often queried free kicks that today would almost be reportable offences.
And then of course there was that magnificent last quarter....god, I love watching that.
My all time favourite game.
"You can quote me on this... He is gawn" - bomberdonnie re Hurley's contract status 25 February 2012