We had some decent A to B+ talent in our top 5 (Neita, Ooze, Wiz, White), some kids who were playing on enthusiasm (Bruce, Green), a lot of recycled players or those who hadn’t gone down the traditional path (Rigoni, Cell, Woey, Ingerson, Powell, Collins) mixed in with plenty of C+ to B grade talent. Plus, despite our best efforts, we were still very inconsistent (see our mid season losses to Carlton and the Dogs that year). The storm clouds of Diamond Joe’s dismissal were hovering, and factionalism rife. Plus we were still training out of the Junction Oval with dead possums in the air conditioners and asbestos(!) in the walls. 

It’s a good reminder of why we need to make next Saturday count. We have much better cattle, less turbulence on the admin front, better facilities and better demonstrated four quarter efforts.  As that team found out, there is no guarantee that there will be another chance to avenge should we lose.

 

Was thinking of this game and also the 1988 game yesterday.

Both over by quarter time.

Have never watched them in full.

Amazing that the 2000 Essendon team never won another GF. They were... unfortunately for us... awesome.

Time for better memories.

PS if we win I think there would be demand for a replay with multiple soundtracks. Imagine Gawn describing what he was thinking etc or Goodwin doing analysis

Nobody would have beaten Essendon in 2000. Definitely wrong time wrong place.

On our day we would have probably beaten anyone else, but not Essendon. 

1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Amazing that the 2000 Essendon team never won another GF. They were... unfortunately for us... awesome.

they were, but they got gazzumped by the bears as the team of their generation

Both times we were clearly the 2nd best team that year. Hawks at their peak in a decade of dominance. Bombers had one of best year's in VFL/AFL history - and we were boys against men. I sat through both massacres.

This team is far better than both - which weren't bad - and have me far more confidant. 

Not concerned at all about the break. Will have them primed to "demon-strate" they are the best team this year.

 

2000 reminds me exactly like 2018. Went on the emotional roll towards the back end of the year and came up against a pretty red hot West Coast and Essendon.

Both teams were young and immature with some good mix of experience.

We're so much more mature and experienced then those two years.

1998 was the one that really got away from us..

Edited September 16, 20213 yr by dazzledavey36

Still to this day I have not watched the last quarter of the 2000 GF

Managed to get through the entire 2018 Prelim, guess that was due to alcohol though aha.

I attended both 1988 and 2000 Grand Finals. Total carnage. Demons were never a chance in either.

The 2021 side is the best side in the AFL. If we play at or near our best we'll win.

The 2 things that worry me -

1.  Free kick Bulldogs (and/or it's ok to throw the ball under pressure),  and

2.  Potential failure to take scoring chances, particularly early in the match

 

If you go back over the years the favourite wins vastly more often then the under dog, we will have to be very unlucky to be one of those teams.

It’s coming home boys. 

I finally re-watched the 2000 grand final. For the first time since it was on the tv originally. Just to remind myself of what we missed out and how hard it half and be to come around again. It’s likely the last time I will ever watch it. 96 points in 1988, 60 in 2000. I really hope we can at least enjoy this game past the 2nd quarter (where we lost both games.)

Interesting looking at the 88 finals series hawks had a bye week 1, played week 2 and won had another bye and went straight into the grand final. Meanwhile dees had to play 3 consecutive games just to meet hawks in the grand final, no wonder we got blown off the park. Also very similar to this year’s series with a bye one game then another bye and the grand final.