Never before in Australian sport has a club’s story been told so comprehensively or so openly.
Screening on Fox Footy and Kayo over a four-week period, The Bombers: Stories of a Great Club is an eight-part documentary series in chronological order that was commissioned for the Bombers' 150-year celebrations in 2022.
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 19th century through to preparations for the 2022 AFL season.
Here's what you can expect from episodes seven and eight (final episodes) on Tuesday night.
REDEMPTION
Episode 7, 7:30pm AEDT, Tuesday, November 9
Exclusively on Fox Footy and Kayo
Episode seven recalls the first Anzac Day match, when the MCG overflowed with fans and thousands had to be locked out. Coach Kevin Sheedy reflects on the impact of that day and how the Anzac Day blockbuster became an annual tribute to service people.
We see the emergence of young goalkicker Matthew Lloyd and how he went from being mild-mannered to earning the nickname ‘Velvet Sledgehammer'.
There’s an emotive story of a Friday night before an AFL final when captain James Hird and Sheedy were in an intensive care ward at the bedside of Hird’s baby daughter Stephanie.
CHALLENGING TIMES
Episode 8, 8pm AEDT, Tuesday, November 9
Exclusively on Fox Footy and Kayo
This special one-hour episode is a stirring climax to the landmark series on the history of the Bombers.
In this episode, we see Adam Ramanauskas’ cancer battle, Gary Moorcroft’s mark and a time when coach Kevin Sheedy threatened to dump a young Jobe Watson.
Sheedy’s amazing time as coach comes to an end, while we get to appreciate a tribute to the amazing career of club games record holder Dustin Fletcher, who opens up on the time that Tony Lockett threw him over a fence.
The supplements saga was a dark chapter in the club’s history, and this episode gives an insight into the impact on people’s lives. Jobe Watson reveals how he has handled the aftermath, including having to return his Brownlow Medal to the AFL.
The eight-part series climaxes with an insight into how the current crop of Bombers, led by coach Ben ‘Truck’ Rutten, is surging towards the club's 150th season in 2022.
Essendon club members will have already received an email with a one-month Kayo voucher (new and returning Kayo subscribers) to watch the month-long release of the docuseries. If you have any questions regarding your membership and access to this offer, please contact member services on (03) 8340 2000 or email membership@essendonfc.com.au.
