Essendon v Richmond: round 17, 2000, MCG
Essendon 3.76, 12.11, 18.15, 24.23 (167 d Richmond 2.2, 5.3, 9.3, 10.6 (66)
Played during Essendons unbroken run of 20 wins, and finally culminating in the Premiership for 2000, this game was pivotal to the birth of the legend of the greatest team of all, the period from 1999-2001.
Essendon v Carlton: round 16, 1999, MCG
Essendon 4.4, 11.5, 16.6, 23.8 (146) d Carlton 1.1, 4.5, 5.13, 9.16 (70)
Another MCG blockbuster between Essendon and Carlton. It was second v eighth on the ladder with more than 66,000 fans and if you were a Bombers fan it was a great afternoon. Still yet to convince critics they were a serious 1999 flag threat the Dons blew away the Blues in the first half thanks to key forwards Matthew Lloyd and Dean Wallis. With the silky Mark Mercuri in brilliant form the Bombers ran away with the contest in the second half to thrash their old rival by 76 points.
Essendon v Hawthorn: round 9, 2001, Colonial Stadium
Essendon 7.4, 11.9, 15.10, 18.14 (122) d Hawthorn 4.1, 4.4, 7.7, 8.9 (57)
One of the best games of 2001, the undefeated Hawks v the reigning premiers and second placed Essendon. Critics were already questioning whether Hawthorn had taken the Bombers placer as competition front runner. In front of a sell out pro Essendon crowd at Colonial Stadium the dons blitzed the Hawks with a seven goal first quarter and by half-time led by 47 points. With star forward Matthew Lloyd kicking eight goals they went on to crush the Hawks by 65 points.
Essendon v West Coast Eagles; 1st semi final, 1996 MCG
Essendon 5.4, 9.6, 15.10, 22.12 (144) d West Coast Eagles 0.3, 4.11, 6.13, 8.19 (67)
A massive crowd of over 85,000 packed into the MCG to cheer on the Bombers in a sudden death final against the West Coast Eagles. The Eagles were favourites but Essendon produced one of their best finals performances since their 1993 premiership; led by the brilliant James Hird they dominated from the opening bounce, leading by 25 points at the half-time before going on to thrash the Eagles by 77 points. As the final siren sounded it was a wave of red and black jackets continuing the tradition started by Kevin Sheedy.
Essendon v Collingwood: round 20, 2002, MCG
Essendon 6.3, 10.6, 14.10, 19.12 (126) d Collingwood 2.2, 4.4, 8.8, 10.11 (71)
The Bombers took on traditional rival Collingwood in front of a big crowd at the MCG; the once powerful Dons were struggling while the Magpies were well entrenched in the top four. But Essendons biggest stars turned back the clock, shaking off injury and starred with Matthew Lloyd booting five goals and captain James Hird at his brilliant best. The contest was over by half-time before the Bombers ran out big winners by 55 points.
