2000 easily, After about round 7 you’d just walk up knowing we’d win, including the GF.
I see 1996 and 1999 mentioned. Only 99 is the missed opportunity there, Gorth by 10 goals in 1996.
Home games were weird.
The crowd clapped politely. That’s how good we were.
Even the seagull game, the crowd didn’t get That animated.
The one thing I found weird during 2000, was the amount of people who came out of the woodwork claiming they were an Essendon supporter.
I’m talking people who have never even mentioned football in a conversation. All of a sudden every second person was an Essendon supporter.
2 Likes
2000 was not much fun at all. Expected to win every week, clearly the superior team, and the flag was more relief than jubilation. 1999 had cast a dark shadow over most of 2000, only a flag could bring some light.
1993 v farkCarlton, very very sweet.
1984 ended with the absolute best quarter of footy (all things considered)
3 Likes
Least favourite, 97. All those injuries, especially Hirds. Rinsed by FC. Gross
The ending to 1999 in that Prelim was obviously horrific (let’s face it though … 14.19 to 16.8 - enough said) but that season was extremely enjoyable for me.
I think people forget that after a mediocre 1997 & 1998, there was actually very little expectation on the club heading into 1999. In fact many expected us to tumble down the ladder after the 8th placed finish the previous year.
The 3-0 start (big win over Carlton, a huge upset of North who were the best side in it on a Friday night and then Lloyd kicking 13 against Sydney in another massive win) was the catalyst for a great season.
Other notable wins were a BIG win against Adelaide (reigning back to back premiers) at Football Park, a great win over a very good Lions team at the Gabba, Bewick turning it on against Sydney at the SCG and not having a bench in the second half due to injuries against the Bulldogs on a Friday night… and still winning.
A biggest low point, Prelim aside, was the 3.5.23 vs WCE in Perth. We got revenge later in the year though.
2 Likes
I actually agree with this.
I remember half way through 99, I was at a mates place, and just say “holy sh*t we are the real deal”. I was so excited.
2000 I felt like it was a chore, and just nervously waiting for the finals to commence. Although I did love pumping Collingwood.
1 Like
Is that true though ?
Put on any Sevens Big League game on YT, and you routinely see teams passing 100 late in the 3rd qtr, sometimes even the trailing side.
The only thing about 93, was I thought North Melbourne were clearly the best side in the comp.
I was very concerned about them. I just didn’t think we’d be able to beat them.
Thankfully Carlton did the job for us.
I think people underestimate how good that Carlton side was. It adds so much shine on that 93 Premiership cup, that we dispatched them easily on Grandfinal day
1 Like
1989 - I want someone to explain to me.
We beat Geelong by 76 points in the Qualifying Final
13 days later they beat us by 94 points in the Prelim.
170 point turn around in a fortnight.
1 Like
You’re right, it’s not.
69-06 the average score is usually 95+.
This year it’s 85 and the best in eight years.
In ‘82 the average score was 112.
That’s pretty wild.
1 Like
We did the qualifying final during the covid watchalongs. Baffling turnaround
Geelong in the last game of the year on a wet and miserable afternoon at Waverley and we lost. Was the difference between finishing in the top half and bottom half of the 6! After all those wins in a row our season ended the week after 
1 Like
Would be interested in the thoughts of Gen Z’s who haven’t witnessed a successful Essendon Football club, in what they think is their favorite season.
Injuries
Vander was one of them who were the others?
Lose Neale Daniher to an ACL a couple of weeks before Finals (won the B&F) who would never return the same player, was tragic.
To win 15 on the trot and be equal Prem favourites with Car & Coll, only to drop that last Rd. against Geelong.
Then draw the worst team possible in the Elim in Fitzroy who we seemed to have trouble with.
Pretty wild ride that season.
1 Like
I’m just going over that 1999 team.
I’m actually fascinated by how inexperienced that List is. We only had 9 players who had played over 100 games, Bewick was only one close to 200.
Mercuri - 110 games
Hird 108 games
Bewick 195 games
Long 140 games
Somerville 146 games
Misiti 122 games
Fletcher 109 games
Young 109 games
Denham 170 games
There was a few close to 100. Grgic, Fraser, Alessio, Doolan, Wallis, Symons, Hardwick, Wellman.
I hate that I’m nodding along with descriptions of early 80’s seasons. Forty years ago.
It’s like being in the nineties and listening to people talk about Hutchison, Coleman and Reynolds.
Yeah, okay old man. Whatever.
Ugh.
5 Likes