06:39 Mins

The Bombers: Stories of a Great Club | Trailer

A sneak peek into Essendon's landmark eight-part documentary series.

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Never before in Australian sport has a club’s story been told so comprehensively or so openly.

Screening from October 19 on Fox Footy and Kayo over a four-week period, The Bombers: Stories of a Great Club is an eight-part documentary series that was commissioned for the Bombers' 150-year celebrations in 2022.

Production for the landmark series began in late 2019, with the broad-ranging tale completed despite the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions.

The Bombers appeals to all sports fans, peeling back the triumphs and turbulent times, successes and failures, defining moments and disasters that beset even the greatest of clubs.

This sweeping story shows how a suburban club evolved into an Australia-wide sporting brand. Along the way, the viewer is taken inside each of the eras, from the 19^th century through to preparations for the 2022 AFL season.

More than 90 players, coaches, officials, supporters and icons from Essendon and rival clubs have been interviewed for this series, giving their answers without fear or favour.

At no stage has the club interfered in the production of this series, even when episodes dealt with the most sensitive of topics.

DOCUSERIES SCHEDULE

Episode 1 - The Reign of King Richard
7:30pm Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

Episode 2 - The Shooting Star John Coleman
8pm Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

Episode 3 - Bombers Strike Turbulence
7:30pm Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

Episode 4 - Kevin Has Arrived
8pm Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

Episode 5 - Building the Dynasty
7:30pm Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

Episode 6 - Long's Legacy
8pm Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

Episode 7 - Redemption
7:30pm Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

Episode 8 - Challenging Times
8pm Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo

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05:04

Yarns with Harvs | The inspiration behind Rutten's history lessons

Senior coach Ben Rutten talks about what has inspired him to draw on the club's past to shape its future.

AFL
01:50

Yarns with Harvs | Rallying for Rama

Matthew Lloyd tells how he and his teammates rallied for beloved teammate Adam Ramanauskas during his battle with cancer.

AFL
03:38

Yarns with Harvs | The John Quinn sting

Matthew Lloyd recalls how then-fitness boss John Quinn sparked the Bombers into action over the 1999 and 2000 seasons.

AFL
03:15

Yarns with Harvs | Hird and the 'shark bait' drill

Matthew Lloyd reveals a story about Bombers great James Hird's unrivalled competitiveness.

AFL
53:49

The Bombers (Episodes 7 & 8 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

Host Mark Harvey is joined by Matthew Lloyd and Ben Rutten to share stories from the early Anzac Day classics, right through to the current crop of players.

AFL
00:28

The Bombers finale preview | Jobe's leadership

Michael Hurley conveys his respect for former captain Jobe Watson and how he led the playing group through the supplements scandal.

AFL
Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 7 & 8)

All you need to get ready for the next part of this landmark docuseries.
How 1999 prelim pain fuelled 2000 flag

A ploy from Essendon's coaching staff after the 1999 prelim proved to be the catalyst for a record-breaking 2000.
Courage in the face of fear: Hird on horrific hit

James Hird and the late Dr Bruce Reid reflect on one of the most gruesome injuries ever seen in the AFL.
01:49

Yarns with Harvs | The cattle prank

Mark Harvey reveals a prank played by his teammates for his final training session.

AFL
02:07

Yarns with Harvs | Long's shrine for 'Sir Kevin'

Michael Long reveals his shrine at home for the great Kevin Sheedy.

AFL
1:12:28

The Bombers (Episodes 5 & 6 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

Host Mark Harvey is joined by Michael Long, Kevin Sheedy and Dan Eddy to share stories from the Sheedy dynasty, right through to Long's lasting legacy.

AFL
Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 5 & 6)

All you need to get ready for the next part of this landmark docuseries.
Sheedy's big regret

Legendary coach Kevin Sheedy reveals one of his biggest blunders.
01:30

Yarns with Harvs | Sheedy's mind games

Tim Watson reveals the tactics Kevin Sheedy used to build the Bombers' hatred for the Hawks in the '80s.

AFL
01:59

Yarns with Harvs | Daniher's finest hour and the Carlton rivalry

Tim Watson recalls Neale Daniher's heroics against Carlton at Princes Park in 1981, and how Kevin Sheedy built the Bombers' rivalry with the Blues.

AFL
01:23

Yarns with Harvs | Blethyn's famous glasses emerge

Mark Harvey reveals the glasses worn by former Essendon cult hero Geoff Blethyn during his playing days.

AFL
01:09

Yarns with Harvs | 'The dirty dozen'

Tim Watson marvels at how a young Kevin Sheedy controlled a bunch of wild players during his early years at Essendon.

AFL
31:21

The Bombers (Episodes 3 & 4 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

Host Mark Harvey is joined by Tim Watson, Geoff Blethyn and Dan Eddy to share stories from the turbulent 60s and 70s, leading into Kevin Sheedy's appointment as the club's first full-time senior coach in 1981.

AFL
Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 3 & 4)

All you need to get ready for the next part of this landmark docuseries.
'I didn't hold back': Sheedy's serve after 1983 GF

Kevin Sheedy came in like a whirlwind at a club function after the 1983 VFL Grand Final.
The bespectacled Bomber: Blethyn's remarkable story

A cult hero in the late '60s and early '70s, Geoff Blethyn's story is explored in the next episode of the club's docuseries.
00:56

Yarns with Harvs | Hutchy's and Coley's 'big blue'

Dan Eddy recalls an altercation between Bill Hutchison and a passionate John Coleman during an intra-club game.

AFL
34:26

The Bombers (Episodes 1 & 2 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

Host Mark Harvey is joined by Ken Fraser, Ted Fordham and Dan Eddy to share stories from the incredible reigns of Dick Reynolds and John Coleman.

AFL
Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 1 & 2)

All you need to get ready for the premiere of this landmark docuseries.
The day Essendon stood still

Those close to John Coleman reflect on the tragic death of one of Essendon's favourite sons.
How 'The Bombers' docuseries came to life

Producer Neil Kearney lifts the lid on the club's landmark docuseries.
Airing Tuesday: What to expect in landmark docuseries

Never before in Australian sport has a club’s story been told so comprehensively or so openly.
06:39

The Bombers: Stories of a Great Club | Trailer

A sneak peek into Essendon's landmark eight-part documentary series.

AFL

The Bombers: Stories of a Great Club | Trailer

DOCUSERIES SCHEDULE

Content

Yarns with Harvs | The inspiration behind Rutten's history lessons

Yarns with Harvs | Rallying for Rama

Yarns with Harvs | The John Quinn sting

Yarns with Harvs | Hird and the 'shark bait' drill

The Bombers (Episodes 7 & 8 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

The Bombers finale preview | Jobe's leadership

Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 7 & 8)

How 1999 prelim pain fuelled 2000 flag

Courage in the face of fear: Hird on horrific hit

Yarns with Harvs | The cattle prank

Yarns with Harvs | Long's shrine for 'Sir Kevin'

The Bombers (Episodes 5 & 6 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 5 & 6)

Sheedy's big regret

Yarns with Harvs | Sheedy's mind games

Yarns with Harvs | Daniher's finest hour and the Carlton rivalry

Yarns with Harvs | Blethyn's famous glasses emerge

Yarns with Harvs | 'The dirty dozen'

The Bombers (Episodes 3 & 4 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 3 & 4)

'I didn't hold back': Sheedy's serve after 1983 GF

The bespectacled Bomber: Blethyn's remarkable story

Yarns with Harvs | Hutchy's and Coley's 'big blue'

The Bombers (Episodes 1 & 2 recap) | Yarns with Harvs

Preview: The Bombers (Episodes 1 & 2)

The day Essendon stood still

How 'The Bombers' docuseries came to life

Airing Tuesday: What to expect in landmark docuseries