Best Win Since 2000 No. 3
Grand Final 2000 vs Melbourne
| Essendon | 4.8.32 | 10.16.76 | 16.17.113 | 19.21.135 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 3.3.21 | 5.5.35 | 8.8.56 | 11.9.75 |
Context
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Essendon were the roaring favorites having easily accounted for the Kangaroos and Carlton in their previous 2 finals. That plus winning 23/24 matches in total for the season.
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Melbourne had put together a very good couple of months having not lost since Round 17. The Dees had toppled Carlton in their Qualifying Final with a 4th quarter comeback before dispatching the Kangaroos by 50 points.
Why it’s on the list / key moments
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Essendon won the flag with an easy win over the Demons.
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James Hird won the Norm Smith medal to complete his fairytale return to regular football after missing the majority of the previous 3 seasons. His snap from a ball-up to get the Bombers’ first goal was a beauty.
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Blake Caracella was on fire in the 1st quarter. His 2nd goal included a feint that fooled Melbourne’s Anthony Ingerson and a classy finish from a tricky angle.
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Dean Wallis took a spectacular mark over the top of Dees’ full forward, David Neitz, late in the 1st quarter.
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The “lowlight” of the match was undoubtedly Michael Long’s bump on Melbourne ruckman, Troy Simmonds, late in the 2nd quarter. Simmonds was lucky to not suffer a more severe injury.
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The Bombers were wasteful in front of goal throughout the 1st half but were so dominant in general play that it didn’t matter. Essendon’s 26 scoring shots to 10 meant that they took a 41-point lead into HT.
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Early in the 3rd term, Matthew Lloyd took a fantastic one-handed double grab on the wing before delivering inside 50. Eventually Dean Solomon centred the ball high in the air. John Barnes and Justin Blumfield got in each other’s way in the marking contest before Long saved their blushes by flicking the ball behind him straight to Blumfield in the pocket. Blumfield fed Jason Johnson, who squeezed a handball out to Steven Alessio, who finally bounced through the goal.
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Mark Johnson took a wonderful one-handed mark while holding off Jeff Farmer, who had kicked 8 goals in the Dees’ Preliminary Final win.
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Late in the 3rd quarter, Darren Bewick kicked his last ever goal as he gleefully dribbled a goal from 10m out before taking a brief victory lap.
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Early in the 4th quarter, Jeff Farmer took a mark at half back for the Dees. The Bronx cheers came - presumably from the Essendon fans who had been fearing a larger goal haul from the gun small forward. Farmer tried to move the ball on quickly, but his kick was smothered by Sean Wellman. Mark Mercuri mopped up and handballed to Barnes, who centred the ball to Paul Barnard just outside 50. Barnard strolled in and drilled the goal for a career-high 4 goals. It was time to lap up the victory. You never know how long it will be until the next premiership.
Extra notes
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Essendon won the tackle count 50-30, the contested possessions 148-111, and the contested marks 26-15.
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Darren Bewick’s last game for Essendon.
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Dean Wallis’s last disposal for Essendon. Wallis was talked out of retirement to play the following season, but only managed 1 tackle in his only appearance during 2001.
Click here to go to best win #2.