Best Win Since 2000 No. 23
Round 22 2009 vs Hawthorn
Context
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In 2026, the AFL is introducing a playoff round before the “real” finals start, between teams in 7th-10th on the ladder. This match was more-or-less a play-off between 8th and 9th for an Elimination Final spot, though it depended slightly on the result of Port Adelaide (10th prior to the round starting) vs North Melbourne later in the day.
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Essendon were doing typical post-2000 Essendon things. In Round 20, they’d beaten undefeated St Kilda to keep their season alive with a dramatic 2-point win. They then travelled to Subiaco and were demolished by a bottom 4 Fremantle side. It was a strange season which meant that a team with fewer wins than losses, like Essendon, were holding on to 8th spot.
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Hawthorn were the reigning premiers but had endured one of the more noteworthy premiership hangovers in recent memory. They were easier to predict than Essendon in recent weeks, but still struggled to pick up wins, sitting in 9th, 1 draw behind the Bombers. They also had key players out injured including Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead.
Why it’s on the list / key moments
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AKA “The Sewell bump game” or “The Hurley vs Hawthorn game”.
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Essendon trailed by 28 points late in the 2nd quarter before a Nathan Lovett-Murray goal just before HT gave the Dons a sniff.
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The 3rd quarter began with one of the most controversial on-field Essendon incidents since the club’s current (as of 2025) finals drought began. The ball was bounced and soon the ball was bouncing in the Bombers’ direction, only for Matthew Lloyd to bump Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell in the head, knocking him out cold. Lloyd was suspended for 4 matches, effectively ending his career. The incident incensed the Hawthorn players and its coach, Alistair Clarkson.
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The Bombers kicked the next 3 goals of the game to put the pressure on the Hawks.
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First-year player, Michael Hurley, had a 2nd half to remember. He kicked a brilliant set shot on a tight angle to cut the margin to 3 points halfway through the 3rd quarter. Hurley then followed up by gliding across the pack to mark on the behind line before playing on and kicking the goal.
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Some classic Knights-era rebounding football brought Essendon’s next goal, early in the 4th quarter. Some risky handballs out of the Bombers’ back half eventually released Tayte Pears who bounced twice before dishing off to Lovett-Murray, who then handballed to Jarrod Atkinson. Atkinson took two bounces before squeezing his kick through the goals under immense pressure to put Essendon in front.
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Barely a minute later, Ricky Dyson let fly from 55m out and somehow the ball bounced through despite a number of bodies on either side of it.
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Hurley was at it again soon after. This time beating Hawthorn’s Stephen Gilham to a bouncing ball before tripping on the point post. Gilham overran the ball, allowing Hurley the time to recover and handpass to Sam Lonergan, who goaled from close range to make the margin 19 points.
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Hurley marked just outside 50 on the half-forward flank before wheeling around on to his wrong (left) foot and kicking a beauty.
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To finish off an incredible half, Hurley kicked Essendon’s last goal of the game, with a quick kick towards the goalsquare which Brent Stanton let bounce through for 6 points.
Extra notes
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Matthew Lloyd’s last game.
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Josh Kennedy (the Sydney one) played his last game for Hawthorn before his 13-season stint at the Swans.
What happened next?
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Essendon finished 8th on the ladder before being demolished by Adelaide at Football Park in their Elimination Final.
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Hawthorn missed the finals, finishing 9th.
Click here to go to best win #22.