Foxtel tonight at 8.00pm.

Essendon v Melbourne 2000

Yes, it wasn't pretty but 9 years later it will be interesting to see how the landscape's changed.

I haven't watched it or even seen footage of it since I actually saw it in person.

I have no intentions to ever watch it again.

We started great neitz 2 shots in first five minutes

powell got 1 it all went down hill after that

we were never really a chance Nicho started on Llyod say no more

I went to the 2000 Grand Final but have never watched it. I am now though!

Cant wait to smash them in the near future! F..k them!

How was White's leap pre 2nd circle.

I know jeff has his critics on this site bit you would be hard pressed to another player as negitivly effected by a rule change.

Ps how good was Hird? Pure class.

Just saw the Troy Simmonds hit from Long.............I'm getting angry even now watching that!

The speed and impact he hit him with had the potential to break his neck!

Long should have been laid out for that!

Edited August 12, 200916 yr by Real Demon

Have only watched the game once since that day. It's a bit like watching video tape of a car crash you were involved in, you just want to see exactly what happened. Being at the game was all a bit of a blur. Just like '88. It's a shame that both times we've made the GF since '64, we've pretty much been the sacrificial lamb offered up. Both games felt like a formality for the eventual premiers. Plus I had crap seats for both games.

Not sure why Fox Sports is playing this game under the banner of 'Classic Grand Finals.' Hardly anything remarkable about the day.

i think ill turn it off now

cant stand this i hate essendon.

Dont know whats worse us getting belted or Sandy Roberts 1eye commentary...ugh

[censored] Day,

All i can remember from that week was the build up to the game, staying up late on the Monday night to watch Woey grasp the brownlow,watching training at the junction (i think) with the old man, The grand final parade, (i still have those cardboard flags, lol) then the game, Neitz hitting the post, Farmer chasing down i think it may of been Hardwick? should of been holding the ball, Essendon then cleared the ball to there end, we were rebounding out of our defence, we got tackled, as it happens we got pinged, which lead to a Essendon goal, also that [censored] long smashing Simmo, and dad losing his head over the incident.... and also i cried when we lost..... lol

Farmer chased down Jason Johnson and yes it should have been holding the ball. Cant believe I watched it over again. I reckon Geelong has been a better team than Essendon fwiw. Yeah james hird was good. Lets hope that is Watts in 5 years time at 23yrs.

I haven't watched it or even seen footage of it since I actually saw it in person.

I have no intentions to ever watch it again.

I'm the same.

Have never watched it since.

That was such a filthy hit on Simmonds on Long, and he started compaining to the umpire about the free kick. He was washed up by this stage. Dean Wallis also a thug/[censored].

Jeff White was a gun before the circle was introduced, we were killing them in the clearances early because of his leaps over Barnes

Another note, I laughed when the commentators kept mentioning each interchange, with some players not getting onto the ground for the first time until late in the 2nd quarter. Not sure what the interchange numbers were those days but that is a part of the game that has changed so much.

All in all, they were a much better side and destroyed us around the ground.

I will never watch that game-i was there, so why would i. Essendon Thugs, i hate them.

Foxtel tonight at 8.00pm.

Essendon v Melbourne 2000

Yes, it wasn't pretty but 9 years later it will be interesting to see how the landscape's changed.

The game where I lost respect for Michael Long as a footballer.

The game where I lost respect for Michael Long as a footballer.

An unfortunate blemish on a player who has been a role model for many on and off the ground.

The penalty handed out for such a crime was a farce as well. I think it was two pre season cup matches. It should have half a season.

The only two GFs I have seen with MFC in (1988 and 2000) have been such overwhelmingly forgettable events. In both games we were blown away by 2 of the best sides I have seen. I was glad Geelong really belted Port in the 2007 GF. I know exactly how a Port supporter would have felt that day.

The penalty handed out for such a crime was a farce as well. I think it was two pre season cup matches. It should have half a season.

Today it would be half a season.

I remember walking to the ground with about half an hour to go. Ever noticed how few people and movement there is outside the ground half an hour before a GF? Everyone's already there, unlike a normal game where there's masses of people and cars arriving. It was kind of eery.

Anyway, I was wearing a red & blue yarmulke that a mate had got me out of deference to Diamond Joe. And all of a sudden I found myself walking alongside Rex Hunt. He dwarfed me, btw.

Anyway, he asked me about the yarmulke & I made a joke about Joe wanting me to ring him with the scores. Rex quickly responded "better do it before half time because he won't be interested in any scores after that".

We both knew he was totally right. Which I think was why I wasn't too disappointed. Very few expectations, that day.

Shouldn't forget, though, what a good team we were in 2000. I remember we had v. strong second halves. For instance, at that game v. Geelong where Barassi & Louise Dobson carried the Olympic torch in at half-time & the crowd was buzzing a Geelong mate & I were discussing what would happen in the second half. I agreed it was a tight game that could go either way, while secretly thinking 'we'll run over the top of you, no doubt'. & the way we annihilated North to get into the GF -- revenge for 1998.

Think back on how good it was to be a top side. Then again, there's no pressure being at the bottom of the ladder.

I think Long is a racist.

After Long Hit Simmonds I heard an old Bloke in the Members Just Yell out "You are a coward Long" I thoroughly agreed.

At Games end I waited To Hear Nieta's speech, & Long get his medal so i could boo the [censored].

Then i left in disgust.

Long sent an open apology to the Age about 10 days later. Pathetic Creature. No Respect.

An unfortunate blemish on a player who has been a role model for many on and off the ground.

The penalty handed out for such a crime was a farce as well. I think it was two pre season cup matches. It should have half a season.

Would definately get 11 weeks these days. And would be thoroughly deserved.

And yeah, was a very disappointing act for someone who has done a great deal of good work off the field. Was totally out of character.

I know I'd hate to be judged by one or two things I've done in my life.

Pathetic creature?

WYL, you're joking aren't you?

Long sent an open apology to the Age about 10 days later. Pathetic Creature. No Respect.

How dare he apologise? What a hypocrite!

I know I'd hate to be judged by one or two things I've done in my life.

Likewise. It was a dog's act, but I don't it makes him he's a dog of a person.