This moment is the ninth of a virtual series presenting the Bombers' best 30 moments over 150 years, which fans can vote on for their chance to win prizes. Click here to view and vote, and see the schedule and prizes below.
The 1950 Essendon side was one of the most dominant of all-time, losing just one match before defeating North Melbourne in the Grand Final. There were stars on every line, including Wally Buttsworth, Bob McClure, Jack Jones, Harold Lambert, Norm McDonald and club greats John Coleman, Bill Hutchison and captain-coach Dick Reynolds, who was chaired from the field by jubilant supporters after yet another brilliant Grand Final performance.
Essendon won 17 of 18 home and away matches in 1950, with an average winning margin of 42 points. The club’s only loss came via a 15-point defeat to North in round six.
Coleman kicked a new club record of 112 goals (plus another eight during the finals), as the Bombers finished four games clear of the Kangaroos, five clear of Melbourne and seven ahead of Geelong. Essendon’s percentage of 162.2 per cent was the most by any team since 1929.
Yet, despite Essendon’s dominance between April and August, in the second semi-final it only narrowly overcame its bogey side in North, by three points, to move through to a sixth-straight Grand Final (including the 1948 draw and replay). North then overcame Geelong the following week to secure a place in its first-ever Grand Final, ensuring it was a sentimental favourite with all but Essendon’s supporters.
But any hopes of a Cinderella story for North were dashed by quarter-time, when Essendon, led by two goals from Reynolds, kicked its highest ever first-quarter score in a Grand Final: 7.3 (45) to 4.0 (24). The margin was 17 points at half-time and 20 points by three-quarter time, before the Bombers kicked away in the final term to secure the 14th premiership in club history, and 10th in the VFL era: 13.14 (92) to 7.12 (54).
So dominant was this Essendon side, not only did it secure the senior premiership in 1950, it also won the Seconds and Thirds Grand Finals - the only time in club history that the triple-feat was accomplished.
SCHEDULE OF MOMENTS
Round 1 (launching May 6) - 1872-1939
Round 2 (launching May 10) - 1940-1959
Round 3 (launching May 15) - 1960-1979
Round 4 (launching May 20) - 1980-1989
Round 5 (launching May 25) - 1990-1999
Round 6 (launching May 30) - 2000-2021
Round 7 (launching June 4) - Finals round
PRIZES
Round 1 – One 2022 merchandise pack, including an Essendon New Era Black on Black 9FORTY Snapback cap ($40) and an Essendon Heritage Bar Scarf ($30)
Round 2 – One Essendon Fibre of Football Scarf ($80)
Round 3 - One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 4 – One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 5 – One 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
Round 6 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329)
Round 7 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329) and one 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
